Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-07-21

girl in apparent surprise. II know who
you are. You are M. Coquenil," now
whispering.
docs he know?"
The girls hands closed convulsively.
She stammered these singular words:
NE knoUs everything."
us he planning something's"
For a moment Alice hesitated, biting
her red lips. Then. with a quick i'm
pulse, she lifted her dark eyes to Co
quenil. II must tell you. 1 have no
one else to tell, and 1 am so distressed,
$3.50 afraid" She caught his hands
pleadingly in hers. and he felt that
they were icy cold.
Hes planning to take me away
away from Paris. l overheard him
just now telling Mother Bonneton to
pack my trunk. If he takes me away
II may never come back"
"See here-you trust meY" asked the
detective.
ooh, yes"
you'll do exactly what 1 tell your"
Il will" she declared.
"Now, listen" And, speaking SLOW
ly and distinctly, the detective gave
Alice precise Instructions; then he
went over them again, point by point.
Are you sure you understands he
asked finally.
eyes. l understand. and 1 will do
what you tell me. butt She shook
her head a~nxiously. You don't know,
you can't understand, what a"-she
stopped as if searching for a word
what a wicked man he is"
Il underestimate little" answered
Coquenil gravely.
1t was about 2 o'clock, and under q
dazzling u the trees and buildings
of the square were outlined on the as
phalt in sharp black shadows. Co.
quenil took out his watch and proceed
ed to wind it slowly, at which a beg
gar dragged himself lazily out Of his
cool corner and limped across the
street. =
"A little charity, kind gentleman -
he whined as he came nearer.
And a moment later Coquenil and
the beggar, who was Papa Tignol,
were talking earnestly near the door
keepers lodge.
Meantime Alice, with new life in
her heart, was putting on her best
dress and hat, as Groener had hidden
her, and presently she joined her cous
in in the salon, where he sat smoking
a cheap cigar and finishing his talk
with Mother Bonneton.
what time Is it?' she asked Groe-
ner.
He looked at his watch. "Twenty
minutes to g."
would you mind very much if we
didn't start until five or ten minutes
past 3? I've been troubled about diff
ferent things lately, so I spoke to Fa-
Their Anselm yesterday, and he said l
might come to him today at a quarter
to 8 for confession"
Twill it make you feel happierY"
"Oh, yes, much happier"
Cali right" he nodded. "I'l wait"
'"Thank you. I'll hurry right back.
I'll be here by ten minutes past g."
He eyed her keenly. "You needn't
trouble to come back. I'll go to the
church with YOU"
There was nothing more to say, and
a few minutes later Alice, anxious
eyed, entered Notre Dame, followed by
the wOOdcarver.
"Will you wait here, cousin, by my
little tablet" she asked sweetly.
"You seem anxious to get rid Of me-
he smiled.
"No, no." she protested. II thought
this chair would be more comforta-
ble."
"Any chair will do for me-" he said
dryly. "Where is your confessional"
"On the other side," and she led the
way, and presently as they came to a
confessional box in the space near the
sacristy Alice pointed to the name,
Father Anselm."
cousin Adolf" she whispered, IF
you go along there back of the choir
and down a little stairway you will
interest you"
He looked at her IN rank muse
ment. "I'm interested already. I'll get
along very nicely here"
The girl entered the confessional.
Groener seated himself on one Of the
little chairs and leaned back, with a
satisfied chuckle. CHANGING up, he saw
Matthew polishing the carved stalls.
Ten minutes passed. Groener rose
and paced back and forth nervously.
What a time the girl was taking!
Then the door Of the confessional box
opened, and a black robed priest came
out and moved solemnly away.
Still Alice fingered. Groener looked
at his watch again. Twenty minutes
past 8! It was ridiculous.
"Allceg' he called.