Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-25
CHAPTER XVII.
An Obligation Is Met.


front hall at the foot OF the stairs.
1T is late" he said: mo doubt made
moiselle wishes to retire.
Il would like to offer a word Of ex-
planation." Norvin ventured. but Vittoria
interposed. quietly:
Mr.. La Branche is right. Explana-
lions are unnecessary" Bowling gra-
ciously to them both, she mounted the
stairs into the gloom above. followed by
the old Creoles polite voice:
"A pleasant sleep. mademoiselle. and
happy Dreams Leading the way into
the library. he placed the lamp upon a
table. then. turning to his unbidden
guest, inquired, coldiy:
"Well?'
His black eyes were flashing underneath
his gray brows. and he presented fierce
aspect despite his gown. which resembled
mother hubbard. and his slippers. which
tapped as he walked.
Il must apologize for my intrusion,
said Norvin. Il wish you to understand
how 1t came about"
I'm view of your attentions to my
| wife's cousin it was unfortunate that you
should have selected this time, this place
for your-er-adventure.'
Exactly! I'm wondering how to spare
Miss Warren any annoyance"
Il fear that it will be impossible. She
must know the truth
she must not know: she must not
guess.
"M'sieu.'' exclaimed the old man. MY
wife and l can take no part in your in
| trfgues. Myra Nell Is too well bred to
show resentment at your conduct, nc
matter what may be her feelings
| Norvin flushed with evaporation. then
| suddenly felt ashamed of himself. Sure
| ly he could trust this chivalrous old SOU
with a part of the truth. Once his scru-
Piles were satisfied the mans very sense
| of honor would prevent him from even
thinking Of what did not concern him.
Il think you will understand better,
he said, when you have heard me
| through. 1 can't tell you everything
for am not at liberty to do SO. But You
know, perhaps, that l am connected with
the committee Of justice"
You don't know the full extent Of the
task to which l have committed myself,
however"
Perhaps not
"Its gravity may be understood when
you know that / have been marked for
the same fate as Chief Donnelly." The
old man started. MY labors have taken
me into many quarters; / seek informa-
ton through many channels. 1t was upon
this business, in way, that I came to
see Miss Fabrizi.''
II do not follow you
'She is a Sicilian. She knows much
which would be Of value TO the COM
mittee and to me. 1t was necessary for
me to see her alone and secretly. If the
truth were known it would mean her
life, perhaps"
The Creole's bearing altered instantly.
Say no more. 1 believe you to be a
man of honor and 1 apologize for my
suspicious
May l trust You to respect this conf
dence.'
1T is sealed"
But this doesn't entirely relieve the
situation. I can't explain to Nine. 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
man. with an eager, birdlike glance from
his bright eyes.
"Assuredly. AS soon as we have won
| our fight against the Malta.
Then l will lie for you and confess
later. 1 have never lied to my wife.
| m sieu-eXcept upon rare occaSions"-Mr
La Branche chuckled merrily-"and even
then only about trifles. So. the result
Absolute trust; supreme confidence on
wife, is 1t not? Ha! / am very good
liar, an adept, as you shall see, for am
not calloused by practice and therefore
liable to fOrgetfulness. With me a lie is
always fresh in my mind. it is matter
of absorbing interest. hence do not for
get myself. Heaven knows the excite
ment Of nursing an innocent deceit. and
of seeing it grow and flower under my
care will be most welcome, for the mo-
notony Of this abominable confinement
But must inquire. do you play piQuet?''
I'm rather good at it, Norvin con-
fessed, whereat Papa La Branche seemed
about to embrace him.
you are sent from heaven" he de-
clared. You deliver me from darkness.
Thirty-seven games OF Napoleon today!
Think Of 1t! 1 was dealing the thirty
eighth when you came. But piquet! All,
that is 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-perhaps
two hours in the evening at a few cents
a game. Ell? You agree. my friend?'
The little man peered up timidly. Per
hapS- But no, j dare say you are
sleepy and it is late"
II should enjoy a game or two right
now" Norvin falsified But first. don't
you think we'd better rehearse our ex-
PLANTATION of my presence?"
"A good idea. You came to see me
upon business. 1 telephoned. and you
came like good friend. then-let me See
I was so overioyed to see a new face
that ] rushed forth to greet YOU. and be-
hold, That scorpion. that loathsome rep
tile outside, pronounced YOU infected. He
forced you to enter. even against my
protestations. 1t was all my fault. l
am desolated with regrets. Eth? How
is that? You see nature designed me
for rogue.
Excellent. But what is our important
business"
True. Since l retired from active at
fairs l have no business. That is awk-
ward, is it not? May l ask in what line
you are engaged?"
az am a cotton factor"
Then | shall open an account with
you. 1 shall give you money to invest.
Come, there need be no deceit about
that; 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.
I have told two at the same time but
invariably they clashed and disaster re-
suited. There, I trust you to make use
NEnINAY