The searchlight., 1912-11-22
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AAhAcA VI idkcs
No. why?"
Then you know nothing OF his i'm
pending marriage?"
Not q word. Who is the fortunate
LADY,"
Don't joke; the matter is serious.
] want your advice. and, Heaven
knows, probably your help. Some
thing strange has happened to him.
Within the last fortnight ! had no
ticed his haggard looks: and, after
questioning him several times, he
Informed me that he intended TO mar
ry Mademoiselle Germaine E, a
girl barely eighteen: and he. as you
know. is forty-three. He refused to
enter into any explanations, and cut
my questions short with the remark
that he was compelled TO marry her.
When. a few days later, I once more
referred to the subject, he went away,
and | have not seen him since"
Il am sorry for you," retorted, but
Xavier Is not the first man who makes
q fool of himself in that way. He is
very much Of age, and probably very
much In love. I therefore do not see
where can be OF any use to you or
to him"
Il tell you there is a mystery about
this that scares me. Xavier's eyes
looked haunted: / never saw such an
expression on any ones face. For our
old friendships sake. find out what
10 at the bottom Of 1t all"
MY dear friend" I retorted, there
is nothing in what you tell me to
show that your fears are justified: :
but, since you appeal TO our old
friendship. l will see Xavier on the
matter"
had known Xavier for some years.
He was a good-natured, easy-going.
Immensely rich fellow, who had idled
through life; he was interested in
horses, but was too lazy and indolent
to have a racing stable.
was not long gathering a few in.
teresting facts. For the last six
months. Xavier had ceased to frequent
his fayorite club. and he. great
whist-playef. had deserted the card
table. But a more alarming symptom
was that he had taken up spiritualism.
My next step was to learn what
could about Germaine E, the girl
Xavier intended to marry: and this
II what ! heard:
She was born In Vermont, of French
parents. who had died. leaving her In
charge Of a poor farmers family. NJ
E. her fathers brother. a large
iron manufacturer In Toulouse, being
childless. wrote to these farmers to
say that he and his wife would adopt
the orphan; and the money for the
Journey from the United States hav'
ting been sent. Germaine. then IN her
fourteenth year. arrived In France
The girl was wofully ignorant. and un
couth In her manner. but. being ne
markably intelligent. soon became
very accomplished.
Despite her brilliant qualities, hei
uncle and aunt regretted having
adopted her. She showed herself
self-willed and headstrong.
For three nights / read works or
spiritualism. and when had crammed
into my head as much as II could con
veniently hold on that subject. I wen'
In search Of Xavier.
At one time I could have found hin
any hour OF the day: but with al
his habits changed. 1t was no easy
matter. and dared not call at hi
house for fear OF arousing his sus
picion- discovered that ever,
"Wednesday night he dined at a littl,
restaurant near the Montparuass'
Station. l went there early and tool
my seat In q quiet corner. II was ,
queer place. patronized by gentlemen
pf the spirit-rapping fraternity.
II was getting late, and I was be
ginning to fear ! should miss Xavier
when he came IN and sat down at |
table near me. He gave a Quicl
glance around the room. but did NO
recognize me. noticed grea
change In him. His careless expires
SION had disappeared. and now an
then be would draw his finger
through his hair. an action altogethe
new to ne.
Hello. old chap" called out Z
him.
He turned around and stared at m
= surprise
Hello. Coron. what brings 20
hGre?"
We'll. to tell you the truth. ~
here on Q rather queer errand. Com
With me to the cafe at the corner
where Ne can talk. Perhaps you ca
givs me some information"
A quarter Of an hour later. whe
- we're seated opposite each other.
boGnn:
what I an going to say to 20
.0nst remain between ourselves.
III understpodf-
~Perfsctly."
IAe fact II I'm IN q bit Of q q,
1oe the last three months have bee
6vsstisating . very diMcult cas-