The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-04-09
CHAPTER Xxx.
Blackmail.

Laurance Lowe and Charlie Mist
ley were not cursed with the conspir-
ator's vice of too much talk and toe
little action. From the evening when
they had first laid their heads to-
gether until some weeks afterward,
no word passed between them rela-
tive to Lena or Monsieur Jacob.
The subject was by mutual under
standing allowed to drop, though it
was ever to the fore in others mind.
However, one evening when they
were walking home together from
what was modestly called a musical
soiree, Charlie unearthed the SUBJ
Ject. The evening had been a dull
one. Lowe and his young compan-
ion had undoubtedly been sorely out
of their element, and both knew that
their presence at the entertainment
was due to the fact that the Wrights
had been there. Lena had sung once
beautifully and simply, as was her
won't And the Baroness de Nan
tile had obliged the assembled multi
tude three times. Her splendid
voice had been greatly assisted by
the artistic violin obligato of Mon
sieur jacob.
II did not get much further on
tonight" said the young sailor, as
he stopped beneath a lamp post to
light his cigar
Lowe, with his hand pushed deep
into the pockets of his loose top coat,
and an ancient opera hat tilted rath-
er forward over his eyes, stopped
also, and watched the delicate oper-
alton.
Couldn't be expected" he said,
rather indistinctly, by reason of the
cigarette between his lips.
With jacob there, you mean?"
"Um-m."
did you notice that he took no
notice of any of our party?"
"Overdid it,
"How?"
1--WE came in late," said Lowe cit
was unnatural not to look up"
They walked on, smoking pensive-
ly, and on the deserted pavement
their steps rang. out like the tread of
one foot.
Il have followed up your hint, !"
said Charlie; and ! think you are
right; jacob is mixed up in it some
where"
Slippery customer" muttered
Lowe.
II have brought all my irresistible
powers of fascination to bear upon
the baroness, but somehow / do not
get on very rapidly. / cannot under
stand her-she is extremely change
able. At times she is most gracious,
and then suddenly she seems to be-
come distrustful. However, in one
of her gracious moods she may make
mistake some day, and then"
Lowe took the cigarette from his
lips, and after a pause he said
"There is one way of working it. .
"Yes?"
make. love to her"
''That is not much in my line Of
country said the sailor. with rather
an awkward laugh.
Laurance loves cold-blooded sug-
! gestion bore rapid fruit The follow
ing afternoon Charles Mistley called
at the house where the Baroness de
Nantille had for the time taken
rooms This was in an unfrequented
street leading eastward from Port
land place. AS the young sailor
| turned the corner into Duke street,
he deserted the graceful figure of
Monsieur Jacob at the far end, going
in the opposite direction This
caused him to slacken his pace so as
to allow the violinist time to get
round the corner before he rang the
bell of No. 81.
The Baroness was at home.
Charles Mistley gave his name, and
after short delay was requested to
step upstairs. AS he entered the
drawing room, she arose from seat
near the window to greet him, but
did not advance single step.
In Difference to her foreign Gus
tom, the young Englishman bowed
without offering his hand. He no.
ticed that the Baroness was per-
fectly sef-possessed, although very
pale. Then he broke the momentary
silence without displaying the least
sign of embarrassment or hesitation.
Miss Wright is not here?" he
said, quietly.
mo. .
'But this is her day, is it not. ma
| dame?'
No; she comes to me tomorrow. Z
"Ah! ! have deranged you for