The Columbus journal., 1908-01-01
CHAPTER VII.
Maud's Condolences.

Miss Chartris pursues him along the
walk between the citron and the orange
trees. asking affrightedly: Why do
you look so terrible?"
For Barnes is meditating sardOnical-
ly: IF it were only the scar-faced
devil, I'd kill him on sight as would a
rattlesnake But this one who has
turned up here, the real Corregio
Cipriano Danella, what has he done to
me that can at present justly destroy
him? Neither Emory nor myself, from
the signature on his check. could say
he wrote those letters. If he did, the
bastard threat against my coming
bride would make me send Clip to the
devil in very short order. But must
have proof"
A moment later her mother sweeps
affably down to him. During Barnes
perusal of Emory's letters and enjoy
ment of Maud's condolences, Prunella
has made toilette that seems more
elaborate than would be called forth
by the arrival of relatives.
What, back again SO sOon?" says
the widow. pleasantly, leading Barnes
to her parlor.
YES" observes that gentleman. Il
forgot to mention that the reason you
could treat US en- famille is that to-
morrow l am about to we'd"
Enid" screams the lady. "Oh, You
darling boy" and gives him sudden.
whole-souled kiss. After . moment she
says deprecatingly: This sudden mat
ing will not permit of . grand we'd
ding" Then, her eyes growing az.
cited at the thought of social success.
she exclaims: ''Of course. the town is
growing deserted. but Adelaide Car.
rington at the De Ia Mediterranee,
Milly Portman of the De Rome and
Lilly Vivian at the Hotel des Anglais.
are three charming English girls who
will be delightful bridasmaids for
Enid. Besides. Edwin could invite the
officers of her majesty's Opal, which
is lying OF Monte Carlo. oh, it shall
be the most important wedding this
season in the Riviera"
1T is the most important wedding
to me-" remarks Barnes, solemnly.
but it will be the most private one.
Enid and l are only anxious to be wed.
l must beg you to say nothing about
this to anyone" The gentleman's
tone is deferential but imperative
Tonight l shall crive into Nice and
see the pastor of the English church.
Here in this parlor. tomorrow even
ing. he shall say. by. the blessing of
God, the words that will make my
mine."
''Oh. of course. II you so desire it,
answers Prunella, affably. Il
suppose Enid thinks she can manage
some kind of wedding gown by to-
morrow evening""
Anyway. that's the time," observes
Barnes, quietly. All the while he is
studying Lady Chart-is. wondering If
her appearance has attracted Corregio
Cipriano Danella. or whether the Cor
sican has in some subtle way learned
this is the retreat of the pursued, and
is here on account of family ven-
geance.
There is slight possibility that
man of s. can be attracted by cos
muses. the American. Then
he suddenly asks: Has anyone called
here for me-"
Nobody, l believe. The only person
| observed in Nice who knew You was
Ia Belle" Lady Chartris' cheeks
glow with modest bushes of IN Eng
lish widow as she checks herself in
the mentioning the awful Blackwood.
Barnes bushes also. When q man
Of the world is about to wed youth and
purity, the follies of his wilder youth |
seem shomeful things. So he cuts OF /
this mention of the great American ad- !
ventures by saying shortly: "Mr.
my agent, has not been '0r
cle YETI"
why, no. haven't heard of Emory
Iince We left Marseilles," remarks his |
hostess.
Ask your servants. please. This
matter Is important"
Lady Chartris goes out and after . !
lew minutes returns and says thst she
has questioned everyone In the house