Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-04-02
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(coNTINUEp.l


was a thoroughbred. he. Anatoie
Ferraud. knew. 1t was his business to
know. and that she should happen
upon the scene he considered as one
of these rare good pieces Of luck that
fall to the lot OF few.
Did Laura note any Of the porten
tous glances. those exchanged between
the singer and Cathewe and Brett
mann: Perhaps. At all events she
felt curiosity to know how long
Hildegarde Won Mitter had known her
fathers secretary. There was no envy
in her heart as again she acknowledged
the beauty Of the other woman. More
over, she liked her and was going tG
like her more Impressions were
made upon her almost Instantly fof
good or bad and rarely changed.
She turned oftenest to Fitzgerald. fo'
he made particular effort to entertain
and he succeeded better than he dream
ed. 1t kept turning over In her mind
what a whimsical. capriclous. whirligig
was at work. 1t was droll. this man
at her side, chatting to her rs II he
had known her for years. when. seven
Or eight days ago. he had stood. man
all unknown to her. on a city corner
selling plaster of paris statuettes on a
wager. and but for Mrs. COldtield she
had passed him for ever. Out upon the
prude who would look askance at her
for harmless daring!
Drop into my room before you turn
n." urged Fitzgerald to Cathewe.
THAT | shall. my boy. I've some
ques tions to ask Of you."
But singular idea came into creR
tion. and this was for him. Cathewe. to
pay Breiinlann visit on the way to
Fitzgerald's room. Not one man In a
thousand would have dared put this
ideu into plan of action. But neither
externals nor conventions deterr' d Ca
thewe when he sought thing. He
raped lightly on the door of the secre-
tary's room.
Come in"
Cathewe did SO. gently closing the
door behind him. Breitmann was In
his shirt sleeves. He rose from his
chair and laid down his cigarette. A
faint smile broke the thin line Of his
mouth. He waited for his guest. or.
rather. this intruder. to break the
silence And us Cuthewe did not speak
at once there was tableau, during
which each was speculatively busy
with the eyes.
81 never expected to see you In this
house." said Cathewe.
"A compliment which I readily re-
turn"
"A private secretary! never thought
of you In that capacity"
zone must take what one can" tran
quilly.
"a good precept" Cathewe rolled the
ends Of his mustache, tride perplexed
how to put It. But there should be
exceptions. What" and his voice ba-
came crisp and cold-"what was Hide
garde Won Mltter to your"
"And what Is that to you7"
my question frst."
II choose not to answer It"
Again they eyed each other like
fencers.
"Were you marriedT
Breitmann laughed. Here was his
opportunity to wiring this mans heart.
for he knew that Cathewe loved the
woman. "You seem to be in her con.
fidence Ask her"
"a poltroon would say as much.
There is q phase in your makeup l
have never fully understood. Physic-
ally you are brave man, but morally
you are cad and poltroon."
take carer Breitmann stepped
forward menacingly.
There will be no dsticuffs." con-
temptuously.
mot II you are careful. have an
swered your questions. You had bet
ter leave at once"
"She Is loyal to you. It was not her
voice that broke that night. It was her
heart. You have some hold over her"
"None that she cannot throw of at
any time" Breitmann's mind was
working strangely.
IF she would have me. would
marry her tomorrow" went on Ca
thewe. playing openly. II would mar
~ her tomorrow. priest or protestant.
for her religion would be mine."
There was a spark Of admiration In
Breitmann's eyes. This man Cathewe
was out of the ordinary. Well. as for
that. so was be himself. he walked
silently to the door and opened 1t.
standing aside for the other to pass.
"She Is perfectly free. Marry her.
She is oil and more than you wish her
to be- viii you go nowT
Cathewe bowed and turned on bis
heel. Breitmann had really got the
better of him.
"r owed her that much" said Brett.
mann to himself as he locked the door.
ut did not matter at all to me-" was
Cathewe's thought as he knocked on
Fitzgerald's door and heard his CHEEKY
call. II only wanted to know what
sort Of man he Is"
"Oh. really don't know whether l
like him or not" declared Fitzgerald.
"I have run across him two or three
times, but we were both busy. he
has told me little about himself.
He's been knocked about a good deal.
Has q title. but doesn't use It."
"A title? That Is news to me. Prob
ably It Is true"
II was surprised to learn that you
knew him at ALL"
mot very well. Met him in Munich
mostly"
"A long pause.
isn't Miss Killigrew just rippin'f
There's a comrade for some man
Lucky devil. who gets her! She u new
to me every day"
II think warned you"