Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-23
: THE NET. !
{; By REX BEACH. ::
q Beach)
By REX BEACH.
Copyright, 1912. by Rex Beach.)

clever child, and helped to keep some
warmth in his heart. But this was
magic. The sun had never been so bright.
the air SO sweet to his nostrils, the
strength vigorous in his limbs.
He had become SO accustomed to the
mysterious letters by this time that he
had grown to look for them as matter
of course. and he was not disturbed
when, on arriving at his office, he found
one in his mail. Heretofore the writer
had been positive in his statements. but
now came the first hint of uncertainty.
81 cannot find Belisario Cardi." he
wrote, his hand is over all and yet he
is more intangible than mist. 1 am
hedged about with difficulties and dan
gers which multiply as the days pass. /
upon You. Be careful, for he is more
desperate than ever. It is your life or
his ONE WHO KNOWS"
1t was as daunting message as he
could have received-the withdrawal of
assistance. the authoritative confirmation
of his fears-yet Blakes spirit rose to
meet the eXigency with a new courage.
1t occurred to MIN that if Maruffi, or
whoever the author was, had exhausted
his usefulness. perhaps Vittoria could
help. She had spent much time In her
search for this very Cardi and might
have learned something of value concern
ing him. Oliveta, too. could be Of as
sistance. He felt sure tAat the knowl-
edge of his own peril would be enough
to enlist their aid, and he gladly seized
upon the thought that a common inter-
est would draw him closer to the woman
he loved.
He arrived at the La Branche house
early that afternoon and found young
Rilleau sitting on a box beneath Myra
Nells window. with the girl herself en-
powered as before in a frame of roses.
ANY symptoms YETI" NOrvin inquired,
agreeably.
Thousands! I'm slowly dying
LeCompte nodded dolefully. Look at
her color"
mo doubt it's the glow from those red
roses that 1 see in her cheeks.
It's fever Miss Warren exclaimed,
Indignantly. She took a hand glass from
her lap and regarded her vivid young
features. Smallpox attacks people diff
ferently. With me the first sign is fever
She had parted her abundant hair and
swept it back from her brow in an at
tempt to make herself look Ill, but with
the sole effect of enhancing her appear
Branches best black shawl was drawn
about her plump and dimpled shoulders.
Assuming a hollow tone, she inquired:
DO you see any other change in me?'
Eyes. And I rather like that way Of
doing your hair
"Vittoria says I look like picture of
Sister Dolorosa, or something
''Is Miss Fabrizi in?'
In? How could she be out? Isn't she
dear. Norvin? l knew you'd meet
some day"
Does she play whist?'
"Of course not, silly. She's-nearly a
nun. But We sat up In bed all night
talking. Oh. it's a comfort to have some
one with you at the last, some one in
whom you can confde. l can't bear to
to soar aloft with so much on my con-
science. I've confessed everything"
What's to prevent her from catching
the disease and soaring away with your
She's nurse. They're just like doc
tors, you know, they never catch any
thing. Is that hideous Waterman still
at his post?'
Yes. Fast asleep with his mouth
OPEN
II hope a fly crawls in" said the girl.
vindictively, then, in an eager whisper
couldn't you manage to get past him?
We'd have lovely time here for
week.
test.
And leave me sitting on my throne?
Never. I'm giving this box party for
you. Myra Nell
"Oh you could come. too
Il respect the law" Norvin told her,
but LeCompte continued to complain.
II don't see what you're doing here at
this time Of day, anyhow, Blake. Have
you no business responsibilities?
I'm a member of the Contagion Club;
I've right to be here
I'VE were discussing rice. old shoes and
orange blossoms when you interrupted"
the languid Mr.. Rilleau continued.
Frankly, speaking as a friend. I don't
see anything in your conversation SO far
to interest a sick lady. Why don't you
talk to the yellow-haired nurse?"
Il intend to-
''Vittoria is back in the kitchen pre-
pairing my diet" said tMyra Nell. 'She's
making fudge, 1 believe. II seem to
crave sweet things Maybe it's another
symptom
''Tll ask her what she thinks of it,
With a glance at the slumbering guard
he vaulted the low fence and made his
way around to the rear Of the house.
He heard vfttoria singing as he came
into the flower garden. q loW-pitched
Sicilian love song. He called to her and
she came to a window, smiling down at
him, spotless and fresh in her stiff uni
form.
do you know that you're trespassing
and may get into trouble?" she queried.
The Waterman is asleep and had to
speak to YOU
NO wonder he sleeps Myra Nell holds
the poor fellow responsible for all her
troubles. and those young men have
nearly driven him insane
rs there any danger OF smallpox,
really?"
Not the slightest. This quarantine is
merely matter of form. But that
child She broke into a frank, sweet
laugh. She pretends to be horribly
frightened. All the time she is acting
the little fraud"
Norvin flushed a bit under her gaze
Ito he continued fomorroyy