Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-29
CHAPTER Xxx.
The prodigal. Due Des Reeves, Goes Bac
to His Husks and Has an Encounter.

The prodigaI. Due Des Reeves, Goes Back
to His Husks and Has an Encounter.
May I telephone in the morning to In
ouire how you are?" the Duc des Reeves
asked wistfully OF his wife as he babe her
good night in the corridor OF the Elysee
opposite the ladies' boudoir. There he
met her when she had arrived at the pal
ace, and she had forbidden him to see
her further on her departure, not caring
to afford him opportunity for any less
public leave-taking.
Yes, II you wish to do So" she answe-
ed without much interest, and, having
bowed TO him, went her way.
He watched the straight, slender figure
disappear down the broad passage, the
pale silk cloak she wore outlined against
the crimson carpet between two thickets
OF green plants overtopped by tall palms.
And then he turned reluctantly back to
the salon. to spend another half hour
there as he had promised her that he
would. II hurt him that she should deem
necessary such precaution against his
following her. and yet he could not blame
her.
He had been greatly gratified by the
reception they had met at the hands Of
society. knowing how little he himself
had done to earn any but the most frigid
tolerance. Their first evening together
had been a great success to all outward
seeming, and beyond that he need not yet
aspire. In time he would show his world
that even such a prodigal as he had been
might make a model husband. and at the
moment he must BATTLE its curiosity as to
the wife for whose sweet sake he had I'M
dertaken that radical change.
When he reached his rooms in the Rue
St. Honore, Jules Chevrel was absent and
hos IL 70 ri
himself OF Chevrel at the first opportu-
nifty. The fellow just then came saunter-
ing in from the garage where he had been
cleaning the car which Seager had just
redelivered. When his impertient remark
earned him immediate dismissal he mere
" smiled with supercilioCs indifference.
He has the swelled head with this new
wife OF his,'' said that observer Of
events. well, we shall see what hap
pens. have my $1,000 francs ,and-it
would be interesting TO catch another
glimpse OF madame's wealthy friends
I'll take a cab 70 the Blue Rabbit on the
chance Of running across them there. ="
The due slept badly, and spent the next
forenoon in aimless anticipation OF the
time when he might telephone the hotel
des Reeves. That came at last and he
rang up asking that Madame la Ouch
esse might speak with him. When he was
told that she had not returned since leav-
ing the hotel the night before, his heart
almost stopped beating.
He called UP the head OF the household.
ard had swift perquisition made into all
that had happened since she had first
arrived there from the Rue des Trois
Freres. He was told that her maid had
gone 20 the Elysee for her. in his own mo-
tor, and neither mistress nor maid had
from that moment been heard OF. The
chauffeur knew nothing. He had been of
duty, by monsieur's permission, on the
previous evening. Then the due called up
the Palais de Justice and asked for Tis-
sOt-Latour and invited him TO call at the
Rue st. Honore that afternoon. And last
ly, the white-lipped man called up Jules
Chevrel, who made no comment when he
was informed that he was reinstated in
employment, and hidden to come without
delay.
He found monsieur I'm a state bordering
on distraction. and started In unfeigned
establishment when he was told the rea-
son.
Madame has left me, Jules" said the
due in a hoarse whisper which was the
best voice he could muster. "She did not
return TO the Hotel des Reeves from the
Elysee. You must help me TO find her
again"
Jules Chevrers face darkened. So this
was why those Americans had been so
liberal, And he who had acted as chauf-
feur, the tall, fair man who called him
self Stephen Quaintance, had told him
that madame had been safely delivered
at her destination. They had misled
him. had tricked him and A dazzling