The Elbert County tribune., 1912-11-08

him, possibly tomorrow"
"In that event, he will receive a
cable signifying that the transaction
is perfectly correct"
He may also inquire as to what
to do with the valuables in the wall
safe"
He will be instructed to touch
nothing. as the people who will occupy
smoked calmly.
Wallace. you will return to New
York at once"
II thought l was wanted here?"
"No longer"
"All right: I'm on. I'll sail on the
Prince Ludwig. stateroom 11S. I'll
have my joke by the way.
You will do nothing OF the kind.
You will have a stateroom by your
SELF" said Mrs. Chedsoye crisply.
"And no wine. nor cards. II you fail.
I'll break you ="
las we would a chnrchwarden's
pipe. Wallace, my lad" Ryanne grip
ped his companion by the shoulder.
and there was enough pressure In the
grip to cause the recipient to vince.
course" Wallace slid his shoulder
from under Ryanne's hand.
ITO you, then. Hoddy. the business
of quarantining our friend Percival.
Don't hurt him; simply detain him.
You must realize the Importance of
this. Have you your plans?"
'I'll perfect them tomorrow. shall
find way. never fear"
Does the rug come in anywhere?"
The major was curious. 1t sometimes
seemed to him that Ryanne did not al
ways lay his cards face up upon the
table.
1T will play Its part Besides.
am rather inclined to the idea of TAX
ing it back. 1t may be the old wish
ing-carpet. In that case. 1t will come
In handy. Who knows2"
How much is 1t WORTH"
"Ah. major, Percival himself could
not say exactly. He gave me thous-
and pounds for it.
"A thousand pounds!" murmured
Wallace.
The major struck his hands lightly
| together. Whether in applause or
wonder he alone knew.
And 1t was worth every shilling OF
1t. too. I'll tell you the story some
day. There are a dozen ways OF sup
pressing Percival, but must have
something appealing to my artistic
side"
You have never told us your real
name, Horace" Mrs. Chedsoye bent
toward him.
He laughed. "I must have some
thing to confess to you In the future.
dear Gioconda"
We'll. the meeting adjourns. sine
die"
What are you going to do with
Fortune?" demanded Ryanne.-
Send her back to Mentone"
What the deuce did you bring her
here for. knowing what was in the
wind?"
She expressed deg;re to see
Cairo again." answered Mrs. Ched-
soye.
I'VE never deny her anything" The
major rose and yawned suggestively.
In the corridor. Ryanne whispered
softly: why not. Gioconda /"
"She shall never marry a man of
your stamp" coldly.
Charming motheri How tenderly
you have cherished her!"
Horace" calmly enough. "is It wise
to anger me?"
1T may not be wise. but have
| never seen you in a rage. You would
be magnificent"
Cease this foolery." patiently. 81
am in no mood for It tonight AS an
associate In this equivocal business,
you do very well; you are necessary
But do not presume too much upon
that. For all that may not have been
what a mother should be, l still have
some self-respect. So long as have
any power over her. Fortune shall
never marry a man SO far down in
the social scale as yourself"
Social scale? Gioconda. how you
hurt mel" mockingly. Il should real
ly like to know what your idea of
that invincible barrier is. Is 1t be-
cause my face is In the rogues' gal
lery? Surely, you would not be
crueli"
"She is far above US all, my friend"
continuing unruffled Sometimes I
stand in absolute awe of her"
"a marvel! II my recollection is
not at fault. many a man has entered
the villa Fanny. with view to court
ship, men beside whom / am as
Roland to the lowest Saracen. You
never objected to them"
"They had money and position"
Magic talisman! And II 1 had
money and position?"
my objections would be no less
strong"
Your code puzzles me. You would
welcome as son-in-law a man who
stole openly the Widows mite. while I,