Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-29
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seemed TO be engaged in angry argu-
ment. They turned away from the low
door at which they were standing
passed rapidly, without noticing him In
the shadow, and turned the corner into
a cross street. Quaintance lit cigar ex-
peditiously and started with Cornoyer tC
find cab.
How is the sorehead now?' asked
that astute gentleman as they drove
across the silent Isle de la Cite. II saw
duchess at the Blue Rabbit. but not
the Duchesse des Reeves. There are plenty
Of peaches in Paris, Newman, and even
that first-water cad of a Quaintance has
found one to marry him-the same girl
he made to kiss him before he would mend
her automobile"
''Who?' asked Quaintance stupidity.
The one that he told us about at. the
club in New York-when you and o'Ferral
were so cross with me-"
Quaintance stored at him through the
darkness, unable to understand.
But how the devil can he marry her
II she's the Duchesse des Reeves al
ready?'' he demanded explosively, for
getting in his own bewilderment that Cor
noyer knew nothing OF her. II bought
the duchesse's car from her before she
left the other side" he explained rapidly,
''and that's how 1 came to know that II
was ne VINO nelu neF up III IL. GuN SAc
didn't kiss him."
'.Of course not" Cornoyer remarked
cheerfully. IT did not believe him. He's
always too soused to know what he says.
Forget him"
Tell me all you know about him. J.
J. >" Quaintance begged, his mind full of
dark and deadly suspicious. who is he?
Where does he hail from? What did he
tell you tonight?'
His name is Quaintance," Cornoyer re-
piled, readily, stephen Quaintance. He
told me when first met him he had just
come from Africa to New York to marry
his cousin because she was a millionair-
ess. He told me a lot of hot air about
his travels-where he could get lot of
rose-diamonds whenever he wanted to,
and so on. Tonight he said he had found
her and she was a peach-the same one
he told us about at the club. And so he is
going to marry her.
But how is he going to do that, II Des
Reeves has married her first, eh?''
Hes damned imposterr' cried
Quaintance. his mind made up on that
one point at least, and quite unable to
contain himself. Cornoyer looked at him
in sur-tone.
He's q damned imposter! He's imper-
sonating another man. L must do some
thing 70 stop IL.
IT know Stephen Quaintance," he went
on excitedly, land that scoundrers trying
to pass for him II you see him again,
Cornoyer, find out where he lives and let
me know without a moments delay. It's
a matter of the most urgent importance
TO me- I'll tell you the rest OF the trou-
BILE some other time. Here's the Rue st.
Roch. 1 won't ask you in-I must talk
il all over with O'Ferral first. and"
He shook hands hastily. jumped out as
the cab stopped at his door.
He ran upstairs. his mind in frenzy.
Could II be possible that Miles Quain-
tance's adopted daughter was now the
Duchess des Reeves! That were surely too
cruel an irony OF blind fate, and yet
judging by all he knew It seemed but too
probable.
He clattered into O'Ferrars rooms in an
agony Of belated enlightenment But they
were empty. He found on his own par
lor table a note from his friend which
said: Have been called away. Don't
know when 1 may get back"