The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1913-04-11

At Il few minutes after ~ O'Clock
Jean knocked ut the door and gave
Brachard Grace's card. Grace herself
was at the door. and Hrachard stepped
past his servant to greet her cordially.
All. good morning. good morning.
~mademoiselle.' he said formally. I'm
delighted to see you"
Good morning. NJ. Brachard,'
Grace said in her most formal manne
Then as Jean withdrew she caught
him by the hand.
We'll. Jacques. what is it? Has any
thing happened!'
Rrachard stepped to the loo to make
certain that no one was listening. He
did not answer at once. and Grace
went on:
Your telephone message got me out
of bed. l dressed as quickly as l could
and here l am. What has happened,
and what are you doing at this hotel,
for heavens sake"
Brachard smiled as he took in her
close fitting street gown II her be-
coming hat, rejecting that she looked
we'll after a night spent in revelry.
After he had closed the doors leading
into the bedroom. with elaborate eau
ton, he said gayly:
Il am here because I must be some
where. l found this apartment empty.
and took it. 1t is the one they re-
serve for royalty. my lady. and W
it to YOU to see that you have a similar
one of your W some day"
II don't quite understand you.
Jacques" Grace said bewildered.
She was a little bit afraid of him.
and her own knowledge of the events
of the night before did not tend to
diminish her fears. Brachard main
tanned his air of gayety. however.
It's perfectly plain he said. lean
ing over the table at which Grace was
seated and watching her expressive
face. Surely YOU do not forget. Last
night you gave me a piece of advice.
and l followed it. I pretended to leave
Paris, but instead of doing so l drove
about the streets for an hour and ut 1
o'clock in the morning l went to my
house. I opened the door with my
key and rushed inland ne Marie
was asleep in her room.
"Rut she reused up and spoke to me.
and so. of course. you can see l was in
rather an awkward position. l pre-
tended that l had forgotten some pa
pers. but that l could reach Calais by
motor. Then I hurried from the house
and came here with my valet. And
here we are
Brachard finished with a light laugh,
-. 80 L. 4l.o -I,-la ,ec,:. -.
jest. But all the while he never took
his eyes from Grace face. She looked
at him with growing wonder and
amaZement. and when he finished
cried:
What is all this stuff you are tell
h. ing me?"
"Stuff:' Rrachard repeated, pretend
ing surprise.
Yes. You say you went home las
night:'
. "Ccrtainly."
~ And found our wife asleep"
~. Sound asleep"
," 'You saw her." she cried in astonish
" ment.
-. AS plain rs | see YOU"
~ ".\nd talked with her.
"F'Or a quarter Of an hour"
-, Grace realized that he was leading
,a her to nm admission. Her very in
rrclulouS surprise was enough to tel
him what he wished to know first
that she was one OF the party frol
u. which Anne Marie had fed in disgust.
~ ".Arc YOU surprised that | found he
asleep he asked.
.od mo: | am delighted. | was wron.
~. Jacques. and | am overjoycd."
mo He leaned further toward her. an
~, his smile was real nova smile of tr
,or ulnph.
You were not vronc." he said uuie,
di- ~. W have both been lying. | kno,
he what | wished to know. You were {;
ice that supper last night"
an. "What SUPPER" Grace cried, prt
tending ignorance.
you were there" he repeated.
he oh, if You like to think SO"
Thy "You have just told me so. wa
he watching YOU when ! said my wifi
uld was ut home"
II "JarqIcS. | assure your
to what arc YOU afraid of" he inte
'rt- rupted. MY anger. my rage. my abuse
the Great God. if it were only that. Loo
at me. | am Drawer than YOU. hay
did been betrayed and | know the ma
ing who did it. Your friend-your mig
the born. cutthroat friend. Jerome Govail
w. You see. J know the truth"
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