The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-03-27
THE AN
STOLEN y
SINGER ~ IN
A GREAT SERIAL STORY By W.
MARTHA BELLINGER IA
Copyright. 1911, The Bobbs- Merrill Company

lite endangered on that silly chair,
my dear Mr.. Van Camp. There
thank you And when heiwas seated
in n solid mahogany, he was reward
ed with Madame Reynier's connden'
tial chat. They had returned TO their
New York opalsment In the midst OF
the summer season, she said, Tor
professional advice" She and her
niece liked the city and never minded
the heat. Melanie. her aunt explain.
cd had been enabled to see several
old friends, and, for her own part, she
liked home at any time OF the year
better than the most comfortable OF
hotels
TINS is quite like home" she add.
ed even though we are really
exlles." Aleck yenttired to hope that
the professional advice" had not
meant serious trouble OF any sort
"A slight indisposition only"
And are you much better now?"
Aleck inquired solicltously.
"Oh Il wasn't |; II was Melanie,"
MaGame smiled. Il became my own
ph, sloian many years ago, and now
!! never see doctor except when We
ask enc TO dine But youth has no
such advantage" Madame fairly
beamed with benevolence while ex-
planning one OF her pet idiosyncrasies.
Before Aleck could make any head
way IN cleaning information concern
ing her own and Melanie's move
merits. as he was shamlessly trying
10 do. Lloyd.Jones had persuaded Miss
Reynier TO sing
Some of those quaint old things.
please he was saying; and Aleck
wondered II he never would hang him.
self With his own rope. But Lloyd
Jones cheerful voice went on:
Some of those Hungarian things
are Jolly and funny. even though you
can't understand the words. Makes
you want TO dance or sing yourself.
Aieck groaned. but Melanie began TO
sing, with Jones lowering around the
piano BY the time Melanie had sung
eyerybody's favorites. excluding
Alexis. Mr.. Chamberlain rose to de-
part. He was an Englishman, seri-
Gus. heavy gentleman, very loyal TO
old friends and very slow In making
new ones. He made an engagement
to dine with Aleck on the following
evening, and, as he went out. threw
back TO the remaining gentlemen an
offer OF seats in his machine.
II ought 10 go" said Jones; but II
Van Camp will stay, will. That Is,
he ADDED with belated punctiliousness,
IF the ladies will permit"
Thank you, Chamberlain, I'm walk
ing" drawled Aleck; then turning 10
the company with his cheerful grin
he stated quite impersonally: Il was
thinking OF staying long enough TO
put one question-er, matter OF
some little importance-to Miss Key
nier. When she gives me the desired
information, | shall 60"
Me, too" chirped Mr.. Lloyd-Jones.
81 came expressly to talk over THAI
plan of building up friendly adjoining
estates out in Idaho; sort OF prEate
shooting and hunting park. you know.
And haven't had minute TO say
word" Jones suddenly began TO feel
himself aggrieved. AS the door closed
after Chamberlain. Melanie motioned
them back TO their seats.
ITS not SO very late she said
easily. Come back and make your.
selves comfortable, and III listen TO
bots OF you she said with a demure
little devil in her eye. VI haven't seen
YOU for ages, and don't know when
the good moment will come again"
IL smile, waved a hand toward the
waiting chairs. and adjusted light
shawl over the shoulders OF Madame
Reynier.
| But Aleck by this time had the bit
IN his teeth and would not be coaxed.
His ordinarily cool eye rested wrath
! fully on the broad shoulders or Mr..
| Lloyd-Jones, who was lighting
cigarette, and he turned abruptly to
Miss Reynier. His voice was as seri-
Gus as if parliament, at least, had
been hanging on his words.
MAY call tomorrow, Miss Rey-
nier, at about twelve?"
OH, | say," put IN Jones, all of
you come to luncheon with me at the
Little Gray Fox-will you? Capital
place and all sorts of nice people.
Do come. About one"
Van Camp could have slain him.
81 think my proposition a prior
one" he remarked with logged pre-
cislon; but, of course, Miss Reynier
must decide" He recovered his tem-'
per enough to add, quite pleasantly,
considering the circumstances, I'm
less Madame Reynier will take my
part?" turning to the older woman.
"Oh, no, not fair" shouted Jones.
Madame Reynier's always on NIB
side. Aren't you, Madame?"
Madame Reynier smiled inscrut.
ably I'm always on the side of vir-
tue in distress" she said
Ito Be contlnued.)