Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-12-13
A Story of Love, Adventure
and Mystery By REX BEAcH


which would be of value to the commit
tee and to me. II was necessary for me
J 10 see he- alone and secretly. II the
truth were known Il would mean her
life. perhaps"
The Creole's bearing altered instantly.
Say no more. believe you to be
man OF honor and I apologize for my
! suspicious.
May trust you to respect this con-
iidence?"
1T Is sealed"
But this doesn't entirely relieve the
situation. can't explain 10 Madame
la BranChe or to Miss Myra Nell even
; as much as I've explained to YOU"
Some day you will relieve me from
my promise of secrecy?" queried the old
nan with an eager. birdlike glance from
his bright eyes.
'Assuredly. AS soon as we have won
our fight against the Mafia.'
Then 1 will lie for you. and con-
fess later. have never lied to my wife.
M'sieu-except upon rare occasions
Mr. La Blanche chuckIed merrily-'and
even then ondy about tirfles. So the
RESULT Absolute trust; snpreme conf
dence on her part. A happy state for
man and wife. is il not? Hal I am
very good liar, an ADEPT. as you shall
see. for am not calloused by practice
ana therefore liable 70 forgetfulness.
With me a lie is always fresh in my
Il ind. It is a matter OF absorbing interest,
hence I do not forget myself. Heaven
knows the excitement of nursing an in
nocent deceit and of seeing it grow and
, flower under my care will be most well
come, for the monotony of this abomina-
bic cOnfinement-But 1 must inquire, do
you play pfquet?"
Pm rather good at it," Norvin con-,
fcssed, whereas Papa La Branche seemed
! about to embrace him.
You are sent from Heaven he de-
clared. You deliver me from dark
ness. Thirty-seven games of Napoleon
today Think of it, 1 was dealing the
, thirty-elghth when you came. But piquet!
All, that is a game, even though my
angel wife abominates it We have still
five days of this hideous Imprisonment,
so let us agree to an hour before lunch,
an hour before dinner, then-um-m-per-
haps two hours in the evening at
few cents a game Ell? You agree, my
friend2"- The little man peered up tim
! idly. ''Perhaps-But no, 1 dare say you
are sleepy and it is late"
u should enjoy a game or two right
now" Norvin falsiied. But first,
don't you think we'd better rehearse
our explanation Of my presence?"
upon business. I telephoned; and you
came like a good friend. then-let. me
see, I was so overjoyed to see new
face that / rushed forth to greet you,
and behold. The scorpion, that loath-
some reptile outside, pronounced you
infected. He forced you to enter. even
against my protestations. 1t was all
my fault. I am desolated with regrets.
Eth? How is that? You see nature design
ed me for a rogue"
Excellent But what is our important
business?" -
True. Since retired from active af-
fairs have no business. That is awk-
ward, is 1t not? May / ask in what
line you are engaged?"
Il am a cotton factor"
Then I shall open an account with
YOU 1 shall give you money to invest.
Come; there need be no deceit about that;
1 shall write you a check at once"
That's hardly necessary, so long as
We understand each other" But Mr.. La
Branche insisted, saying:
Zone lie is all that ] dare undertake.
l have told two at the same time, but
invariably they FLASHED and disaster re-
suited. There! I trust you to make
use OF the money as you think best, but
enough"' VIII. do women know of bust
nessS 1t is a mysterious word to them.
NowApiquet" He dragged Norvin to a
seat at table. then trotted away in
search of cards, his slippers clap-clap-
ping at every step as IL in gleeful ap-
plause. Shall we cut for deal. M'sieu?
All He sighed gratefully as he won.
and began to shuttle. with four hours
OF piquet each day, and a lie upon my
conscience, feel that I shall be happy
in spite OF this execrablc smallpox, -
Myra Nelis emotions may be imagined
when, on the following morning, she
learned who had broken through the cor
don while she slept.
Lordy! Lordy!" she exclaimed with
round eyes. He said he'd do it, but /
didn't think he really would"
She bad founced into Vittoria's room
TO gossip while she combed her hair.
Mr.. La Branche says it's all his fault
and he's terribly grieved,'' Miss Fabrizi
told her. Now, now! Your eyes are
fairly popping out"
Wouldn't your eyes pop out IL the
handsomest. the richest, the bravest man
"a New Orleans deliberately took his
life In his hands to see you and be near
But he SAYS It was important bust
ness which brought him." vittoria smiled
guiItIly.-
Tell that to your granny You don't
know men as I do. Have you really
seen HIM? I'm not dreaming"
/ have seen him. with these very
ewes, and If you were mot such a lazy
littis pig you'd have seen him, too.
Shalt you take your breakfast in your
room as usual?' Vittoria's eyes twinkled.
Don't tease me" Miss Warren ex-
claimed with a furious blush II love
10 tease other people but / can't stand
il myself. Breakfast in my room indeed
But OF course ] shall treat him with
freezing politeness.'
Why should you pretend to be Of
fended?"
Don't you understand? This is bound
TO cause gossip. Why, the idea of
Norvin Blake. the handsomest. the rich
est
Yes, wee"
/ ',fhe idea OF his betting himself quar-
antine6 in the same house with me, and
our being here together for days-maybe
foI months. Why, IT will create the
loveliest scandal. I'll never dare hold
up my head again in public never. You
see how it must make me feel. I'm COM
pr missed Myra Nell undertook to
show horror i'm her features. hut burst
INTO a gale of laughter.
/ do you care for him very much?"
"Im crazy about him. Why. dearie,
after this-we're-we're almost married
Now watch me show him how deeply I'm
offended
Put when she appeared I'm the dining
room. late as usual her frigidity was not
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