Canyon City news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1903-1908, 1907-01-11

He laughed lightly.
'E'or evil, you mean? That's merely
the effect Of the first view Really, the
capresse girls have an excellent repu-
tation for docility and all the rest. Not
that it would matter much in Marti-
nique-the people there are used to
living over volcano and don't mind.
OF course" he added in another tone,
81 shall before long have to break
1t Off. Society here Is differently or
ganized-dfferent climates, different
morals, you know: | feed that | must
conform to it. Indeed, | even wish to
do so. 1t Is time that settled down,
ranged myself became n man of
family. have been wanderer long
enough. Cecily can't endure this eli
mate anyway. I'll send her back to
st. Pierre
"What will she say to that?" asked,
with n vivid memory of the adOring
way her eyes always dwelt upon him.
"You think it sounds little brutal?"
and he smiled gayly. 1T isn't, in the
least. You've put Cecily on too high
pedestal. They have an axiom down
there, Nee de ramour, la file de cOu-
leur nit d'amour, de rires, ct d'Oublis'-
her life is thing Of love, laughter
and forgettings. think it's essentially
true. At the same time" he added
more seriously. II don't wish to be
needlessly cruel. That's the reason I'm
telling you all this. It's sort Of intro
duction.'
"Ah," said, and looked at him.
"I'll blurt it out in a word. I'll be
out of town next week--all week my
business demands it-and it's absurd
for me to think of taking Cecily with
me - it's absolutely impossible - it
would ruin the whole affair. What l
want to ask you is this-look in on
her occasionally, cheer her up, take
her to the theater if you'll be so good.
She knows no one here, and she has
a ridiculous need of companionship, of
chattcring TO some one, of having some
one to admire her. It's born in the
blood, | suppose; it's an inheritance
from two centuries of ancestors. Left
to herself, she'll soon NOPE herself sick.
Will you do this for me, my friend?'
There was compelling wizardry in
his eyes as he looked at me, vet had
self control enough to pause and reflect.
Still, saw no reason why should re-
fuse, even had my own inclinatior"not
greatly urged me forward. Here
would be an opportunity to unveil such
secrets of his as Cecily might know
especially as to where they had been
on the evening of the murder. Per
haps she even knew the victim; coald
give me clew to the connection be-
tween him and Tremaine, if such
connection existed. There were unlimit-
ed possibilities. And yet feeling of
shame held me back. TO take advan-
tage in this way of Il man who trusted
me, against whom there was nothing
but the merest, most intangible sus-
picion-
l looked up and met his intent gaze.
"You We're reflecting?" he said.
Merely that it is delicate trust.
I'm not at all unwilling to undertake it,
only
Again he misunderstood; again he
did not wait for me to finish. 1t was
the only weakness | ever detected in
him-hc made false step that could
never be retraccd.
"Only you are flesh and blood, you
which illumiued as lightning flash
the depths Of his character. "On that
score, do not worry, | beg Of you. |
am not of a jealous disposition. l shall
not
A klSck at the door interrupted him
or / might have answered in a way
that would have wrecked Godfrey's
plan forever. flung the door open
and saw Higgins standing there.
a call at tn telephone fer you, Mr..
Lester" he said.
Excuse me, please" | called over
my shoulder to Tremaine, and strobe
uON II tllt Hull ultti thc Jtiiitui'
1t was Mr.. Royce who wanted me;
he had been called suddenly out of
town and wished to give me some in
structiOns for the next day. Our con
versation lasted perhaps five minutes;
then hung up the receiver and mount
ed to my rooms. With hand not
wholly steady, opened the door IRE
maine was sitting in the chair where
| had left him and was just lighting
another cigarette.
He arose with Il smile as came in.
81 must be going" he said. And
you will keep an eye on Cecily?
"Yes, I'll be glad to. Good night" l
answered, and closed the door
AS turned Godfrey walked calmly
out of the bedroom.
what do you think of himE
asked
IL think" said Godfrey slowly, that
he's one of the most consummate
scoundrels | ever had To deal with.
However, well unmask him. Hes let