Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-12-17
TIE NET"
copyrighted. 1912. Oy ReH Beach.
tcOntinuatiOn Chapter XVIII

Continuation Chapter XVIII
Blake read over her shoulder and his
face flushed
..Norvin. we're really. truly engaged
now. seer' After a pause. And you We
never even asked me-"
..aIyra Nell" ne began. I want you
win you
cold shower"
wifeT-' &C.
you actually have the courage to pro-
pose2 Shall take time 10 think II over
or shall 1 answer now2
Now, BY all means
VERY we'll of courseI-won't.'
"Why not?" he exclaimed with
The idea, You don't mean it7'
why. Norvin. you're old enough to be
my father
oh no. I'm not"
DO you think I could marry q IMAM
with gray hairg"
TT an gets gray after while"
No. III be engaged to you, but III
never marry any one. never. That would
spoiI all the fun. This very thing shows
how stupid Il must be; the mere rumor
has scared the others away
You're a Mormon
~rm not. III tel you what I'll do; II
ever marry anyone, I'll marry you
That's altogether too INDEFINITE.
Il don't see il. Meanwhile. were en-
gagged. aren't weg
.sTf that's the CASE he reached un-
certainly for her hand and pressed it. 1
I'm very happy.
she waited an instant. watching him
shyfv. then said. Now 1 must show TINS
TO vittoria But-please don't look so
frightened"
The next instant she was gone. When
Miss Fabrizi entered her room nan
hour later IL was TO find her with eyes
red from weeping.
As for Norvin. he had risen to the
occasion as best he could. He loved
Afyra Nell. sincerely. tenderiy. in big
hrotherly way. he would have gone TO
any lengths to serve her, yet he could
not feel towards her as he felt towards
vittoria Fabrizi He nerved himself 10
stand by his word, even though II
meant the greatest sacrifice. But the
thought agonized him
Nor was he made more easy as time
went on. for Mr.. and Mrs. Ia Branche
took Il for granted that he was their
cousins afianced lover. and while the
girl herself now bewildered him with
her shy. inviting cOquetry. or again be-
rated him for placing her in an IN
welcome position. he could never deter
mine how much she really cared.
When the. quarantine was fully lifted,
ne walked out with feelings akin TO
those OF a prisoner who has been re-
prievsd
CHAPTER XVIII
BELISARIO CARDL
after his enforced idleness Blake
vas keen 10 resume his task. yet there
was little for him 20 do save study
the one big problem which lay at the
root OF the whole matter.
The evidence against the prisoners
was in good shape They were indicted,
and the trial date would soon be set.
they had hired competent lawyers and
were preparing for a desperate fight
Where the necessary money came from
nobody seemed 70 know, although IL
was generally felt that a powerful in
fuence was at work TO free them. The
district attorney expressed the strong
est hopes OF obtaining convictions, but
there came disturbing rumors Of alibis
for the accused. OF manufactured evil
dence and OF overwhelming surprises
20 Be sprung at the last moment De-
tectives were Swallowed by other detec-
tives. lawyers were spied upon. their
plans leaked. out: witnesses for the
thorities was a master hand, at once
50 cunning and 50 bold as to threaten
miscarriage OF justice.
This could be none other than Be-
Iisari0 Cardi. yet he seemed no nearer
discovery than ever. Norvin had no
idea how TO proceed. He could only
wait for some word from his new ally.
Il ~ h. af@.ne he
would find clue and he feared TO COM
pIicate- matters by any premature OF
ni-iudged action Meanwhile he en-
countered the results OF Bernie
Dreux's garruIty. He found himself
generally regarded as Myra NelIs ac-
cepted sutton and OF course could make
no denial But when ne telephoned TO
the girl herself and asked when he
might call he was surprised TO hear her
say:
-you can't call at all Why. you've
ruined all my enjoyments as ii is
There hasn't been a man in this whole
neighborhood since 1 came home. Even
the policeman takes the other side OF
the street"
An the more reason why should
come"
Il won't have you hanging around
until I get my carnival dresses fitted.
on. NOrvin. you ought TO see them
There's one-white brocaded peau de
soie. all frills and rOse-buds: the bodice
IS trimmed with pearl passementerie;
Norvin. dear. what does il cost TO rent
he front page OF a newspaper
Il don't know. I don't thing IL can
oe done"
I wondered If you couldn't do it and
deny our engagement"
DO you want TO break itY' He
could hardly keep the eagerness out OF
hIr voice
"Oh. moi But I'd like to deny Il
until after the carnival Now don't be
offended-Tn never get my dances
=@@" ~ ~1V"