The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1913-05-03

See Miss Asazziz?" We heard Hap
repeat. "Awfully sorry Miss Agazziz
| is in town
Can you tell me where she isl" tho
reporter asked
She's shopping" Hap lied glibly.
Never know exactly where woman
| is when she shops"
"Shopping?" repeated the reporter
But" He looked at Hap and smiled,
| glanced toward the front door, then
/ frankly looked over Hap's shoulder at
the crowd on the terrace. Hap noted
the action and grinned He swept his
hand generally in our direction.
You see she isn't here" he re-
marked affably. He was sure that Ma
tale was still upstairs in bed. but
knew better. and every minute l ex-
pected to see her step through those
| doors to the terrace, | moved and
stood where I could look down the
hallway The reporter glanced at the
front door again Not one Of US
thought of its being a holiday
will she be back this afternoon?"
the reporter asked.
II hardly think So" Hap answered.
II think she's going to stay over and
shop again tomorrow And l really
cant tell you where she's staying 1t
might be with her aunt. you know.
again 1t might be with her cousin. or
yet again 1t might be with some
81 I1pl
that until doomsday. I suppose. II the
reporter hadn't interrupted
I'D like to speak to Mr.. Abbott"
the reporter said. and started sud-
denly for Winthrop. But Haps foot
was mysteriously in the way, and the
newspaper man had hard work adjust
ing his equilibrium. I'D like to ask
him II he can positively prove that
the emerald"
Something happened, we could new
er say just what. But the reporters
hat was on the ground and Hap, pick
ing it up to restore it to its owner
with exaggerated courtesy. was bah
bling about the gorgeous sunshine and
Then he linked his arm through the
reporters. and it was just as well for
that red-headed young gentleman to
go where he was being led. Five min
utes later the car and the red-headed
reporter disappeared dowD the drive
way.
Hap called me aside.
will you go tell Natalie that
newspaper man has been here. and
not to let him trick her into seeing
him If he comes back?"
She's in the library II you want to
tell her yourself" l told him.
He knew there was something odd
in Natalie's being up so early. He
did some thinking, but the result Of
his meditations he didn't confide to
me.
You tell her. dear" he requested
finally. that l want to talk to
John
found Natalie replacing several
books, but the Almanach de Gotha
still lay open on the table. | deliv-
ereO my message.
Thanks" she said. 'Ill be care
full. Do you know what he wanted to
ask me-"
NO" *
There wasn't any one but the re-
porter?" she went on anxiously. mo
detective. or policeman"
No one but the reporter" replied.
Then suddenly: Would you mind tell
ing me If you had any particular rea-
son last night for changing your mind
about me?"
Yes" she replied. Il simply came
to my senses. III never be able to
apologize suffi GENTLY for what I said.
My only consolation is that no one
but the family know It," She closed
the Almanach de Gotha and put 1t
carefully back on the shelf. Did you
ever hear of the Due d'Aubigny?" she
asked
YES" l answered. "Why?"
do you know that he was charged
with jewel thefts in France and sent
to jail?'
81 do. Why"
She didn't answer for quite while:
finally she came close to me.
IT'S silly thing I'm going to tell
you." she drawled. Il have no foun-
dation for my suspicious. but Satur.
day. when l was in town. I'm sure !
saw the Due d'Aubigny!"
gasped. and my mouth fell open.
(TO BE CONTINUED)