The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-07-09
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xXIV.-Continued

dAPTEH XXlV.-COntlnueO
he atmosphere of Upper b.
ia was redolent of ambrosia
and Quaintance found the in
{ciant gaiety of its inhabitants
fch more infectious than for
by.
outside, in the dark, everyday
fuG Nd, 1t was showing silently.
kef thin all was warmth and light;
net too much of the latter, but just
4 efficient to show off fair faces,
white arms and shoulders, bright
eyes. Soft music swelled and ebbed
on the fragrant air, the echoes OF
mems mirth, women's light laugh
ter blending harmoniously with 1t.
For there was the land Of the lotus.
where 1t is always sunshine and
summer, where night is even as
day.
Quaintance started as his wife
spoke.
Are you dreaming, dear?" she
asked smilingly.
"Of the last time," he answered,
squaring his shoulders again
We've come through the mill
since then, sweet heart, but-thank
GOd!-we're none the worse.
Waiter! We want some dinner
the best you can do, only don't
bother us. And bring us a bottle
of that same Burgundy, will you?
It's lucky bin"
All they said to each other over
that meal concerns themselves
only. But it may be stated, that,
when 1t was over and Quaintance
had ordered coffee, special brew
to be made according to methods
impaired to him by a merchant
from Mocha whom he had once
met on his travels, they both fell
silent, looking about them with
eyes that were very friendly and
well disposed toward the others
there. And they were still sunk in
such wOrdless contentment when a
CHEEKY voice recalled them from
the clouds.
"H'lo, Quaitnance;" it said, and
they looked up swiftly at the gray
haired individual in very correct
evening dress who had come for
ward and stopped beside them.
Quaintance sprang to his feet,
hand outstretched.
Cad! but I'm glad to see you,
O'Ferral," he cried. "Dagmar, this
is little sprprise l planned for
you. didn't know whether OFFER
raj was in town till phoned from
the bank. A chair, waiter! Where's
that coffee? Fetch me my coat
want my Ngar case. Or will you
have somethign to eat first, OFFER
ral?"
i've dined. thanks"
Then have a cigar"
Quaintance plunged a hand into
his overcoat pocket, pulled forth
his case and a couple OF letters
which he would have tossed to one
side had not he caught sight of the
postmark on one Of them.
He lit match for OFerral, and
kindled his own Havana, with
frowning eyes on the envelope.
Then he slit that open.
Your pardon" he said to the
other two, but want to see what
this fellow says-and forget him."
His wife turned to OFerral, to
whom she had much to tell. Their
voices sounded far away and In.
distinct to him as he stared,
through thin blue curtain of
smoke, at the paper before him.
And he stared at 1t for so long that
she at length took him to task.
Whats the matter, Stephen ~
she wife asked, and her eyes grew
anxious as he observed the Devil.
derment lin his face.
He looked at her for a moment
as If she had been a stranger, and
then at O'Ferral.
Il wish you would read that to
me-" he said in a puzzled whisper
Il don't seem to get the sense OF
1t. That wine must have gone to
my head"
O'Ferral glanced at the bottle
more than half full.
You must have a very weak
head, Steve said he concisely, and
took the sheet from his friend.
But his expression also changed
as he perused the epistle. He open
ed his eyes very wide and purseS
up his mouth.
Read 1t aloud" Quaintance or
dered. ITS from San Francisco
Dagmar-from the lawyers there
Go on. O'Ferral. We're listening.
And O'Ferral obeyed, with goot
will.
"'Dear Sir" he began, "'Wt
duly received your favor from
Paris, enclosing certificate of YOU
marriage to the ward of our late
client, Mr.. Miles Quaintance, al
also proof of your identity, which
we have since satisfied ourselves
is competent. And in this connec
tion we beg to express our pro
found regret that we were mislet
into recognizing Mr.. Dominic Sea
ger In your place, but. as you your
self were admittedly the chief con
tributor to that mistake, we trus
you will not hold us unduly blame
worthy.
1--WE note that you and you
wife wished, at the time of you
wedding, to forfeit all claim to GU
late clients property, and thu
steps you tookfS do so.
"'You have evidently forgotten
however, that there is a considera
BILE difference in time between
France and the United States O
American. The certified hour q