Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-11-29

Evidently the alarm had spread, for
there were ,others ahead Of Blake Sew
eral men were grouped beneath an open
window. They were strangely excited,
some were painting as If from violent ex-
ertion; a young French Creole, Lecompte
Rilleau. was sprawled at full length
upon the grassy banquette, either badly
injured or entirely out OF breath. He
raised a listless hand to the newcoIn-
er, as If waving him to the attack. Nor
win recognized them all as admirers of
Myra Nell, cotton brokers' merchants a
bank cashier; a great relief surged over
him.
THANK Godl You're herein time"
he gasped. whats happened to-her?"
Raymond Cline started to speak. but
just then Blake heard the girl herself
calling to him and saw her leaning from
window. her piquant beauty framed
with blushing roses which hung about
the sill.
"Myra Nell! You're safeI" he cried
shakingly. What have they done to
your"
She smiled piteOusly and shook her
dark head.
'You were good to come. am pris-
oner."
"a prisoner Norvin stared at the
young men about him. Come on" he
said. Let's get her out" But Murray
Logan quieted him.
ITS no use, old man."
what do you mean?"
'You can't go in
"Cant--go--in?" AS Blake stared un-
comprehendingly at the speaker he heard
rapid footsteps approaching and saw
Achille Marigny coming on the wings
of the wind 1t was he who appeared In
the distance as Norvin rounded the cor
ner, and it was plain now that he was
well-nigh spent.
Rineau reared himself on one elbow
and cried with difficulty:
welcome, Achiller
'Take 1t easy, Achille," called Cline,
Some one laughed, and the suspicion
that he had been hoaxed swept over
Blake.
whats the joker" he demanded. ct
was frightened to death"
''The house is quarantined."
81 never dreamed you'd all come"
Miss Warren was saying sweetly. ut
was very gallant and I shall never for
get it, ah, never" N
"She says her-beauty is-gone,"
wildly painted Marigny, who had run
himself blind and as yet could hear
nothing but the drumming in his ears.
Judge for yourself" Cline steadied
him against the low iron fence and
pointed to the girls bewitching face
embowered in the leafy window above.
From where he lay flat on his back,
idly Tapping his hand, Rilleau COM
planned: 81 have a weak heart Will
somebody get me drink?"
ct was splendid of YOU" Myra Nell
called down to the group. II love you
for it. Please get me out, right away"
Norvin now perceived a burly in
dividual seated upon the steps Of the
La Blanche mansion He approached
with a view TO parleying, but the man
forestalled him, saying warningly:
You can't go in. They've got SMALL
pox in there"
Smallpox"
go away from that door!" screamed
Myra Nell, but the fellow merely
scowled.
Il hate to offend the lady," he ex-
planned to Norvin in a hoarse whisper,
''but 1 can't let her out
Miss Warren repeated in a fury
GO away, 1 tell you. These are
friends of mine. If you were a gentle
man you'd know you're not wanted. Nor
vim make him skedaddle."
Blake shook his head. You've scared
US all blue. If you're really quarantined
I don't see what we can do"
"If you go in, you can't come out"
belligerently declared the Waterman.
''Them's orders"
"Oh-hl You monsterl" cried his pris-
oner.
"she says herself she's got it," the
man explained.
Il never did," Myra Nell wrung her
hands. will you stand there and let
me perish2 Do you refuse to save me?"
where is Madame La Blanche?" Nor
win asked.
Asleep! And cousin Montegut is play
ing solitaire in the library" /
Then who has the smallpox"
"The cookl They took her screaming
to the pest house an hour before / came.
/ shall be the next victim. / feel it.
We're shut up here for a week, maybe
longer. Think of thatl There's nothing
to do, nobody to talk to, nothing to
look at We need anyother hand for whist.