The Yale expositor., 1913-08-14
CHAPTER XIX.
The Danger Moment.

For a day Sweetwater acknowl-
edged himself to be mentally crush
ed, disillusioned and defeated Then
his spirits regained their poise.
His opinion was not changed in re-
gard to his neighbors secret guilt.
But he saw, very plainly by this
time, that he would have to employ
more subtle methods yet ere his hand
would touch the goal which so tantal-
izingly eluded him.
His work at the bench suffered that
week he made two mistakes. But by
Saturday night he had satisfied him.
self that he had reached the point
where he would be justified In making
use of Miss Challoners letters. So
he telephoned his wishes to New
York, and awaited the promised de-
velopments with an anxiety we can
only understand by realizing how
much greater were his chances OF fail
ure than of success. To ensure the
latter, every factor in his scheme must
work to perfection. The medium OF
communication "a young, untried girl)
must do her part with all the skill OF
artist and author combined Would
she disappoint them? He did not think
so. Women possess a marvellous
adaptability for this kind of work.
and this one was French, which made
the case still more hopeful.
But Brotherson! In what spirit
would he meet the proposed ad-
vances? Would he even admit the
girl, and, II he did. would the inter
view bear any such fruit as Sweet
water hoped for? The man who could
mock the terrors of the night by a
careless repetition of a strain instinct
with the most sacred memories, was
not to be depended upon to show
much feeling at sight of a departed
woman's writing.
But no other hope remained, and
Sweetwater faced the attempt with
heroic determination
The day was Sunday, which en-
sured Brotherson's being at home
Nothing would have lured Sweetwa-
ter out for moment, though he had
no reason to expect that the affair
he was anticipating would come off
till early evening.
But it did. Late in the afternoon
he heard the expected steps go by his
door-a woman's steps. But they
we're not alone. A mans accompanied
them. What man? Sweetwater
hastened to satisfy himself on this
point by laying his ear to the parti-
tion.
Instantly the whole conversation
became audible.
can errand? Oh, yees, / have an
errand!" explained the evidently un-
welcome intruder, In her broken Eng
lish. This is my brother Pierre. My
name is Celeste; Celeste Ledru. l
understand English YER we'll. / have
worked much in families. But he un-
derstands nothing. He Is all French.
He accompanies me for-for the
what you call It? .es convenances.
He knows nothing of the beesiness. 4"
Sweetwater in the darkness OF his
closet laughed in his gleeful apprecia-
ton.
Great" was his comment. Just
|
or Mr.. Gryce has"
Meanwhile, the girl was proceed
ing with increased volubility.
What is this beesiness, monsieur
| have something to sell-so you
Americans speak. Something you will
want much-ver sacred, yer precious
souvenir from the tomb, monsieur
| hot Il
leetle-ffteen dollars for it? 1t is
worth-Oh, more, much more to the
true lover. Pierre, tn es bete. TeIns
tn droit sur ia chaise. M. Brotherson
est un monsieur CONNIE II faut."
This adjuration, uttered In sharI
reprimand and with but little of the
French grace, may or may not have
been understood by the unsympathetiC
man they we're meant to impress But
the name which accompanied them
his own name, never heard but once
before In this house, undoubtedly
caused the silence which almost
reached the point Of embarrassment
before he broke 1t with the harsh re
mark:
"Your French may be good, but II
does not go with me. Yet is II more
ineligible than your English. What
do you want here7 What have you IN
that bag you wish TO open; and what
do you mean by the sentimental trash
with which you offer itf"
"Ah, monsieur has not memory oi
me-" came In the sweetest tones of Q
really seductive voice. You astonisf
me. monsieur. thought you knew