The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-06-24


think your uncle was the successful
collector he was considered or he
would have had it there. It has been
very interesting, but we must not for
get that we are due at the Benton's
before midnight We must 60, my
DEAR she touched Adele's cheeks
with her lips. Il shall see you to-
morrow. Goodby."
The Count walked across to Miss
Day to bend over her hand, when wy
man spoke, rather abruptly: Don't
go yet! Wait minute and TIL show
you a trick learned in India from
those clever fakirs. I've grown so
skillful that I'm thinking of applying
for place in the vaudeville circuit"
cit won't take long?" hesitated
Mrs. Sears.
The Count gently touched her arm.
1T is late, madame" he reminded her
in his soft musical voice, "and you
said we had far to CO."
'1t won't take a minute" insisted
Wyman, "and your watch is probably
slow. You can say it is, anyway"
There was chorus of inquiry and
softly clapped applause. Wyman
waved his hands in a lordly fashion
wait! The show has just begun.
Monsieur, he turned to the Count
you look incredulous I will have
to convince you of my power"
The Count would have spoken, but
Wyman peremptorily demanded ST.
lence, and there was dominant note
in his voice as he said:
"As Frenchman you should never
! be without French coin in your
pocket
The Count started and his face
changed color. Wyman waved his
hand again in mysterious manner.
st will thank you, Monsieur lie Comte,
to hand me the coin in your waistcoat
pocket" he said suavely-"the coin I
placed there by the power of my
magic!"
The two men stared at each other.
De Viarde made no motion to heed
the request, and Wyman stepped
nearer. Monsieur lie Comte, they
will doubt my magic!" He held out
his hand
The Counts lips frightened and his
eyes glittered unpleasantly as he
glared at Wyman and swept the room
with lightning glance. He had no
choice; he could not risk scene
and, with laugh that rang somewhat
hollow, he slipped his fingers into his
pocket and drew out the coin that he
had hidden there few minutes be-
fore with motion as quick as any
Wyman had made.
/ Wyman took the coin and kissed
his fingers to the company: "You
see?" he said softly. wouldn't |
make hit in vaudeville? So sorry
you have to go, Mrs. Sears! I will
show you and the Count some more
tricks some day. Adieu, Monsieur lie
Comte!" He drew his heels together
and bowed formally. II do hope that
you will not be late at the Bentons!"
De Viande deliberately turned back
to him, but after he had said good-by
to Miss Day he drew near enough to
SOY, Ill dill uuuSIGO
"You are very clever, monsieur,
you-and your tricks!"
Low as the words were spoken,
, Adele caught them, and when the
others had gone she came to Wyman
what did he mean?" she asked
curiously.
He stood looking at the silver coin
in his hand with curious expression
that made her cry, with a breathless
gasp: "You don't think-he couldn't
have thought it was the coin of for
tuner"
'He thought so enough to try and
steal it," Wyman spoke grimly. 81
saw him put it in his pocket, and
took it from him as Ibid because
knew you wouldn't want rows He
!. was pretty confident that it was what
every man, woman and child in
France has tried to get possession Of
= for hundred years-Napoleon's ia
nous coin of fortune!'"
I Her eyes were big with awe and
! her voice little more than a whisper
as she said: II can't believe it,"
Shall we break it in two and seer
Her hand caught his. mo. Don't
destroy it! Perhaps it isn't the coin
of fortune. Td-I'd rather keep il
, as it is-for it's sentiment and"
: "It is seven Millions" he reminded
: her gravely.
She was silent and then, lifting hel
face. "Mnnav isn't the only thinr in
the world"
Her glance, her voice, held a chal
l 1enge to which every fibre of his being
responded, and the love that he car
ried to Japan and back again rushed
d into words.
S mo, it isn't! The biggest, finest
t most wonderful thing in the world
a can't be bought with money! You
r know what it is?" He took her hands
= - -