The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-02-17

confident rns. ne wus.c g: o-.cc nclnlt
HIS possession of 1t and offer some
exclamation that would Immediately
satisfy everybody. LeDuc was LOOK
Ing steadily at him. apparently as pus-
z!ed by his answer as was I. TO all
outward appearances there was some
thing hidden beneath the skin mere
and i determined to make quick
thrust at the heart OF the matter,
bleeding him of his secret for his own |
good. y
Where were you last night, Bruce!
l asked quietly. The pallor OF MS
cheeks took on the unhealthy hue OF
wet ashes and he stood mute with an
unpleasant narrowing Of his eyes. For
a long minute the silence was IN
broken. LeDuc scanning him impa-
tiently and Clare, her pupils expand
ed, leaning far forward in her intent
ness, Then he shifted sullenly upon
his feet
81 have no reply to make to that
question at present"
signaled to LeDuc. who instantly
caught the cue. But perhaps II the
young lady would pardon U.s. be
| murmured with q courteous bow 10
Glare. She arose upon the instant,
and glancing neither to right nor LETT,
passed into my uncles apartments,
while Bruce glooming after her with
frightened lips moved no muscle. AS
the door closed behind her ] made an
! other effort in his behalf.
~ wish you would be reasonable In
this matter, Bruce. You ought TO
know that you can trust US Implicitly
when give you my word as now 40.
If you have any reason-any man S
reason-to think that your where
abouts last night II known to Clare
would distress her, Mr.. LeDuc ana
will bind ourselves upon our honor to
keep your communication confidential.
Later on you make such explanation
to her as you may desire, but In view
of certain statements which you MADE
to me it is necessary that our mutual
friend here should know where you
spent the night. Will you tell US!
A pale glow Of passion, phosphores-
cent like, appeared deep behind MS
ewes and he answered me doggedly,
almost defiantly.
mo. It is matter WHICH at pres
emit concerns only myself. Nor 40
/ understand your insinuations when
kyou say it, is for my own good that
make confidants of you. WHAT &C
YOU mean by such attempted intlmlda
:, tion?"
Ignoring the gathering storm. l an
swered him in calm tone:
Bruce, I trust you implicitly ane
tell YOU now that 1t would take moth
, ing less than a bombshell OF absolute
proof to shatter that belief. That pc
: ing the case. when ] assure you tina
! 7 have reason to believe that 1t is 10
your own good to do so, l think yo'
might honor me with your confidence
Q Along that same line / am going t.
Q ask you another question. Do you or
9 ject to showing us the contents Q
y your pockets -everything? He turne
y q dull red, seemed about TO explod
Q with the heat Of his passion, and the
g growing suddenly cold bowed frig1dl
W and began laying before us the col
tents of his clothes. It was the VI
T. ual miscellaneous assortment OF
"a mans personal carvings, and Wne
le he had finished glance told us tina
IL the object for which we were searci
1t ing was not among them.
or 1.-THE pockets of your oyercoa
a please" purred LeDuc. With mockin
Is deliberation Bruce began turning tn
O. folds and crevices Of that GARNER
&c inside out Nothing Of interest We
ne exposed to us, and when he had IL
IT. ished we sat cycling each other VIII
ne silent lips broke the hush.
On Bruce, you had key to the nous
Mt yesterday. You pounded upon II
ne table with it as we sat together dow
l town and then put 1t back in you
be side overcoat pocket. | noticed
*. distinctly. Now Clare's key has di
al appeared and it is impossible for
ed to overlook the coincidence. Whe
on did you get the one you had al