The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-11-02
THAT AFFAIR AT
FIJI ARETH BY Burton E. Stevenson.
=
New vork-H Holt & Coll
CHAPTER xxIv-(continued.)
He1 Eork-Henry Holt e Co.-lsM

"Of course. / don't know anything
about It," he said. but I've already
told you how the affair affects me.
Trust me, Lester there's some terrible
secret just below the surface.
wanted to say as much to Curtiss, but
didn't quite dare. That's why ! shiver
|. at the thought of that meeting. l pity
him when he comes face to face with
it. That reminds mel found an old
photograph Of him the other day. He
turned to his desk and after mo-
ment's search brought out card: He
gave Ii to me when We were chums
together at college," he added, and
handed II over to me.
1t showed Curtiss as he was at 20
or q. The face was plumper than l
knew IL. and the skin much fafrer.
The hair was worn longer and the alb
sence Of beard or moustache revealed
fully the singularly pure lines or the
lower portion of the face-a poetic
face. yet full of fire and vigor.
1--WE used to call him the Beaut.'"
went on my companion. II told you
that he was rather girlish looking.
Well, see here-here he is as the SOU
brette, in burlesque we got up In
senior year."
He handed me a group picture
including the whole company. The
central figure was charming girl,
an inimitable way OF holding the
head.
Great Scott!" shouted, springing to
my feet. Don't you see 1t? Don't you
see it, MANI"
See it? See what. LESTER" repeated
Mr.. Royce, in amazement. WHATS the
matter, old fellow"
mo, haven't gone mad" laughed,
as he put a restraining hand on my
"a lxaU L
added, as calmly as could. I'm not
going to tell you'll want you to see IL
for yourself. Come along"
He followed me down to the street
without a word, though could see now
his hand trembled as he took down ms
hat. / myself was quivering from head
to foot with excitement-with triumph.
What a blind fool had been not to
suspect il long ago. Godfrey had never
seen Curtiss, or he would have known
the instant his eyes rested on that
photograph!
one, or l could not have kept the Sc
cret.
"Sit there" said, when we reached
nv ROOM and motioned him to CHAIR
near the table turned down the light
and arranged my properties-let me
confess at once to a secret liking for
the dramatic-the unexpected. The
Now look at them" ] said. and
pointed to the three photographs placed
side by side before him.
He stared at them--at Marcia Law
renee: at Burr Curtiss, smooth faced
and girlish: at the soubrette.
knew by the sudden deep breath he
drew that he understood. There could
be no mistaking. Feature for feature
they would not match at all; but there
was a tone an expression. that little
way Of holding the head.
"Of course" he said slowly. at last
"Of course"
How easily It explained Marcia Law
rence's panic, her flight-there could be
no marriage, no explanation-only
flight!
"There's one crucial test" said,
glancing at my watch. I'll make 1t this
very evening"
An hour later, I was shown for the
third time into the study Of DR.. Schuy-
err at Elizabeth. He was sitting at his
desk, just as / had found him once be-
fore.
"Ah, Mr.. Lester" he began.
"Dr Schuyler" interrupted, 1--WE
photograph here which I'm very anx-
ious for you to see. This Is it-whose
do you think it is?"
He took it with a glance Of astonish-
ment, moved over to the table, and held
it beneath the rays of the lamp.
why" he faltered, "Why-lt REMINDS
me very strongly of young Boyd Endi-
colt, as he was when I knew him, 80
years ago."
My heart leaped. --...-.
"As matter of fact, DR.. Schuyler"
Il said, its a photograph OF Burr Cur
tiss, as he was 10 years ago"
He stared at me for moment with
out understanding, then saw the light
of comprehension in his eyes, and he
sank heavily back into his chair.
Poor woman!" he murmured hoarse-
ly Poor woman!"
And all the way back to New York.
I was wondering which Of the women
he had meant. Which was the more to
be pitied-the woman who, 80 years be-
fore, had been whirled away from her
lover by trick Of fortune; or the
younger one, innocent and unsuspect-
ing, discovering, only at the last mo-
ment, the horrible abyss yawning at
h>r feet? .
Which Of the women had he meant?