The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1912-04-05

will give me further opportunity
revenge myself upon you!"
Silence followed the theatrical GU
burst of the woman. Griswold stoo
with clasped hands, his eyes on til
floor. Mrs. Missioner, her eyes res
lutely averted from his crouchin
form, gazed at Britt expectantl.
Elinor, her fine womanhood athri
with sympathy in spite Of her week
Of suffering-more keenly because c
1t, perhaps-sought to soothe the ag
tation Of Mrs. Delaroche, who wa
close to collapse. Fitch, too, strov
to calm the woman. As q man b
pitied her; as physician, he fel
some alarm for her because of tn
great excitement to which she ha
wrought herself--excitement plainl,
beyond the endurance Of her emo
tional nature. A feeling akin to ii
dignati0n stirred him when, glancint
toward Britz, he saw q sarcastic smil,
on the detectives face. His hand,
in his pockets, he was rocking gently
on his heels, and watching Mrs. Della
roche as one would concentrate hi
vision on great tragedienne nea,
the grand finale Of her performance
"Bravo!" said the lieutenant de
tective at last. "Bravissimo, Mrs
Delaroche! If 1t were not for detain
ing our good friends. I'd insist upon
an encore. Really, you know. you're
entitled to any numbe: Of curtain
calls for that"
The heroine Of the Renaissance
burglary flashed furious eyes upon
him. Fitch, despite all % knew Britz
had done for Ellnor, could not con.
ceal his anger. Even Miss Holcomb
was indignant Mrs. Missioner and
Sands looked at the detective expect
antly. Manning's face was impassive.
He was prepared for any surprise
from his shrewd lieutenant.
You behold in Mrs. Delaroche,"
said Britt. including everybody in a
sweep Of his hand, lone Of the most
talented actresses in America. True,
she isn't on the stage, but that's only
because the managers haven't discov.
cred her. If any of the big managers
saw such an example of her art as
this, he'd engage her on the spot"
Il don't understand you, Mr.. Britz,"
said Mrs. Missioner inquiringly.
Mrs. Delaroche understands me,
MS, Missioner" returned thaaIsuth.-
She knows exactly what, I mean.
Don't you. Mrs. Delaroche?"
MOI" said the woman from the
Renaissance so sharply the word was
like poniard thrust.
'No?" retorted the detective. "How
truly unfortunate! Surely you are
mistaken. madam; surely you recall
what happened in Paris? It cart be
you've forgotten how you Obtained
possession Of the Missioner necklace
the one with the Maharanes dia.
mond. you know"
She chung to silence as to aErock
Of refuge. Britt. still rocking ltxhtly
IN his heels. raised a finger warning.
y and looked at her with that same
sarcastic smile.
You know as we'll as I do. Mrs.
Delaroche," he went on, that Cnrtis
1riswold didn't steal the Mahannee |
necklace. Whatever other crimei are |
Upon him, he is guiltless Of thai-in |
act, at any rate"
The woman kept her eyes on the
loor, her face partly turned awav |
All the others stared at Britt in
'mazement, not excepting the Chief
Il the Detective Bureau.
Lets run through the pageS Of
history, Mrs. Delaroche." confined
ne lieutenant Personal history. of
ourse-the history of clever little
Hiss Vincent, one of the brightest
Dung women In Paris. You renen,.
er her when she was an art student
here, getting along as we'll asfshe
ould on a New England income in
he Latin Quarter. A bright, ckyer
title girl she was. to be sure and Il
'as too bad she had such a hard
truggle to realize her artistic
reams!"
All his hearers listened attentiyelv
Mrs. Delaroche, in spite Of resolute
FORTS to appear Indifferent. full az
as the others.
Prince Kananda moved forward I'm.
l ne stood within several feet Of
lrs. Delaroche. She turned her head
lightly and saw him. A glance Of
lutual recognition passed between
lem, but so quickly that It was un.
'seSved by the others. The Prince
7ed her steadily. with malignant
aze' az of a man who has been
licked. A wild fear leaped into her
res and she moved awav,<- eds,ne [
oser to Britt.
1T isn't to be wondered At" s.,d /,
rits alphabetically when yor r..
IL the many ha,dships Miss Vim. ,
mt endured when you remember
now many mornings she had to
udge to her copying work IN the I
'uvre without even the moor CON. {
latton Of q French breakfast that
o permitted young Hirdoo gentle. J
BIZ 70 spend a little money upon I
H. II wasn't exactly in line with
~ england conyentionality, Of 9
uFse' out the arlsto:ratic fastener 1
d been introduced to her formally {
ougn, his behavior was always re- 8
ectful, and she-well, she was very {
,ol,, ora $780,. l