Evening star., 1912-09-29
THE NET.
Bv REX BEACH.

Copyright. 1912. By Rex Beach.

Norvin turned to behold Miss Delord
approaching them like an arrow. She
was a tiny creature. but it was plain that
she was out in all her fighting strength.
Her pretty face was dark with passion,
her eyes were flashing. and they pierced
her lover with a terrible glance as She
paused before him, crying, furiously:
well! Where is she?"
"Felicite" stammered Dreux, 'd-don't t
cause a scene"
Miss Delord stamped q ridiculously
small foot and cried again, oblivious of
all save her black jealousy:
Where is she, I say? Eth? You fear
to answer. You shield her, perhaps"
plump, brown hand darted forth and
seized Bernie by the ear. giving 1t
tweak like the bite of q parrot.
"Ouch!" he exclaimed, loudly. "Felicite,
you'll ruin us!''
A waiter began to laugh in smothered
tones.
Tell me!' stormed the diminutive fury.
1T Is time we had settlement. she and
I. l will lead you to her by those asses
ears Of yours and let her hear the truth
from your own mouth.
Miss Delord. you do Bernie an injus-
| tice," Norvin said, placatingly.
She turned swiftly. Injustice: Bah!
He Is fiirt, a loathsome trifier. What
could be more abominable?"
'Felicite. D-don't make a scene. -
groaned the unhappy Dreux,- nursing ms
ear and staring about the cafe with
frightened, appealing eyes.
Bernie was just
You defend him, eh?'' stormed the
Creole girl. You are his friend. Be
ware. m'sieu, that I do not pull your
ears also. 1 came to unmask him.
Please sit down. You're attracting at
tention.''
| Attention.: Yes But this is nothing
| to what will follow. / shall make known
his depravity to- the whole city. for he
has sweethearts like that King Solomon
OF old. 1t is his beauty m'sieu. Listen!
He loves a married woman. Imagine IT.!
"Felicite! For heavens sake
"a dago woman by the name of Piggy
But wait, shall make her squeal Piggy
A suitable name, indeed He follows her
her, the scoundrel.. Is 1t not disgusting?
But I am no fool. L. too. have watched;
l have followed them both. and I shall
scratch her black face until it bleeds,
then l shall tell her husband the whole
truth
Miss Delord paused. out of breath for
the moment, while Bernie paved at her
in a futile manner. Beads of perspira-
tfon were gathering upon his brow and
he seemed upon the verge Of swooning.
AS If from habit. however, he reached
j forth trembling hand and deftly re-
placed a loose hairpin. then tucked In a
stray lock which Felicite's vehemence
had disarranged. 'Y-your hats on one
side, my DEAR" he told her.
She tossed her head and drew away.
saying, Your touch contaminates me
monster"
Blake drew out a chair for her; his
eyes were twfnkling as. he said. Wont
tyou allow him to explain?'
There is nothing to explain. since
know everything. See! His tongue
cleaves to the roof of his mouth. He
uuails! He cannot even lie! But wait
| until ! have told the Piggy's husband
that big black ruffian--then perhaps he
will find his voice. All. If ] had found
that woman here there would have been
scene, 1 promise YOU.
Help me-out!' gasped Mr.. Dreux. and
Norvin came willingly to his friend s
rescue.
Bernie loves no one but you, lie
said.
80? glory in the fact that I loathe