The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-06-16

the car was no longer there.
CHAPTER NJ.
Mrs. Smiths Idea of a Square
Deal.
Fanchette had raised no objec-
tions when her young mistress had
spoken of selling the runabout,
since II seemed that otherwise
they would soon be reduced to
dire straits, since Jules Chevrel
had despoiled them of their small
balance in the New York bank.
Fanchette Lefevre was known
as F. Smith in Stormport, the
bungalow was rented to her in
that name, and her charge passed
icolloquially as 1.-The Smith wom-
ans boarder." Fanchette devoted
herself to packing up their be-
longings, as some precaution
against any hostile movement in
their direction. She received
Quaintance with a distrust which
was somewhat too evident, al
though 1t must be conceded that
his subsequent behavior afforded
her justification. In the first
place he seemed disappointed to
see her, as though he had half
expected to see some one else,
and, while she was still congrat.
ulating herself on the fact that
the girl had gone off to the beach,
she stumbled over the name he
gave. 1t was no slight relief to
her when he decided to buy the
car, but did not quite know what
to make of him in the end. His
appearance was all in his favor,
but none the less Fanchette, who
trusted nothing in trousers, fol-
lowed him as he departed.
When he backed the big tour
ing car among the trees half way
down the track, her distrust In
creased. After he disappeared she
stood undecided. Just then sec
ond pedestrian came into view.
Fanchette knew him at once, and
all her worst fears were con-
firmed. for he was none other
than their arch enemy.
To fly from him would have
been futile since he had found out
their poor secret. She stayed
where she was. in hiding, and
watched him.
He was man of medium
height, a young man, about 80,
wearing a light tweed suit and a
Panama. He had a flower in his
buttonhole and carried cane
with much silver about it. His
features were dark, and most
women would have described them
as handsome, but about them the
ugly stamp left by evil living.
| Fanchette was staring out at
him from under the leaves with
despair in her eyes, when he halt
ed there, almost opposite her.
"Peste!" said he aloud, in quick
French. What human being
would live in such wilds! For
ward, then, Etienne, mon brave
gar! There will be time enough
to explore this later, IL need be. I"
He passed on. Fanchette was at
his back now. Her bosom heaved.
She started, as IL from a trance,
and fled swiftly toward the bun
galow.
Half way up the lane she
paused, a desperate scheme of
escape already afloat in her
mind. There was only the
strangers motor, and--her need
was very urgent.
Heaven help us IL I'm caught
at it," said Fanchette, and pushed
through the branches behind
which the big car was hidden.
She drove the big touring car
up to the porch, managing it
without difficulty, and left 1t
there while she was preparing for
flight. 1t did not take ten min
utes to finish the light packing
left to be done, and, having
dragged the heavy baggage as far
as the kitchen, she set shutters
on the windows. When all was
ready for the road she loaded the
car up.
At the crucial moment, she re-
Imembered that she must leave
word for the owner of the car,
Hest he should think she had stol-
len 1t outright. Trembling with
nervous impatience, she penned a
hurried note, assuring him that
lit would be safely returned to him
at his hotel in Manhattan, telling
him that the key of the barn in
(which the runabout was housed
might be found hanging in the
outer porch. In 1t. she thought,
he might well reach New York.
This she left in avn envelope
Itransfixed to a tree-trunk.
She gulped down a great, dry
lsob as she sped forward reckless
lily. knowing that it was now too
Ilate too falter or turn back. Near
ling the beach. she sent a long,
|wailing cry ringing shorewards.
1.-THE call of q seabird which she had
learned as q child on the rocks OF
La Roche-Segur.
She had taught her young mis-
froa4 that In uroVfeIou Of inst 4ach