Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-01-16

gallery.
with one exception" Ryanne's
laughter was sardonic. ~
whose" shot the major.
Mine. A round and youthful phiz,
a silky young mustache. But rest
easy; there's no likeness between that
and the original one wear now"
"You never told me be-
gan Mrs. Chedsoye.
There was never any need till now.
Eight years ago. Certain powers that
be worked toward my escape. But |
was never to return. You will recol-
lect that have always remained this
side. Enough. What I did does not
matter. I will say this much: my
crime was in being found out. One
venture into New York and out to sea
again: they will not have a chance. I
doubt If any could recall the circum-
stances Of my neteoric career. You
will observe that am keyed for any
thing. Let US get to work. 1t doesn't
matter, anyhow"
you did not :" Mrs. Ched-
soye hesitated.
Blood" reading her thought. mo,
Gioconda; my hands are guiltless, at
least they were till his Bagdad affair;
and am not sure there. l was a
trusted clerk; l gambled; took
money that did not belong to me. And
here l an, room number 20S."
1T doesn't matter Come, Kate;
don't stare at Hoddy as II he were a
new species" The major smoothed
the ends of his moustache. This con-
fession will be good for his soul"
Eyes, Gioconda; I feel easier now.
I am heart and soul in this affair. I
need excitement, too. Lord, yes.
When I went to Bagdad, had no idea
that 1 should ever lay eyes upon that
rug. But I did. And there's the
emeralds, too, major"
The major rubbed his hands pleas
urably. Yes, yes; the emeralds;
had not forgotten them. One hundred
lovely green stones, worth not penny
under thirty thousand. A fine collec-
ton. But another idea has taken pos
session of this teeming brain of mine.
Have you noticed how this fellow
Jones hovers about Fortune? He's
worth a million, If he's worth a cent.
I am sure, In pure gratitude, she
would see to 1t that her loved ones
were we'll taken care of in their old
age"
Il am going to marry Fortune my
SELF" said Ryanne blandly.
"You?" The mfeor was nonplussed.
Wallace shuffled his feet uneasily.
This blond companion of his was al
ways showing kinks In his nature,
kinks that rarely ever Strengthened
out
"Yes. And why not? What Is she
to either you or her mother? Moth
ing. Affection you have never given
her, being unable. 1t surprises you;
but, nevertheless, / love her, and I
am going to marry her"
Really" said Mrs. Chedsoye.
Even So"
"You are fool, Horace," with ris-
ing fury. So then, the child had not
jibed her in a moment of pique?
Men in love generally are fools.
I've never spoken before, because you
never absolutely needed me till now.
There's my cards, pat"
Mrs. Chedsoyes fury deepened, but
not visibly. you are welcome to her,
If she will have you"
YES" supplemented the major; 'if
she will have you, my friend, take her,
and our benedictions"
Ryanne's shoulders stirred sugges-
lively.
"Of course, / expect to have the
final word to say on the subject. She
is my daughter" said Mrs. Chedsoye.
"A trifiing accident, my dear Clio
conda,' smiled Ryanne! merely
that"
"Just little oil, just a little OIL"
the major pleaded anxiously. Dash
it all, this is no time for a row of this
silly order. But it's always the way"
irritably. "a big enterprise, demand
ing a single purpose, and trifie like
this to upset it ALL"
81 am ready for business at any mo-
ment"
Anu you, nate!
We'll say no more about 1t till the
affair is over. After that :"
Those who live will see, eh?"
Ryanne rolled cigarette.
ITO business, then. In the first
place, Mr.. Jones must not reach the
Ludwig"
HE will not" Ryanne spoke with
quiet assurance.
"He will not even see that boat"
added Wallace, glad to hear the sound
Of his voice again.
Good. But, mind, no rough work"
Leave 1t all to me-" said Ryanne.
"The United Romance and Adventure
Company will give him an adventure
on approval, as it WERE"
ITO you, then. The report from New
York reads encouragingly. Our friends
there are busy. They are merely
waiting for us. From now on Percival
Algernon must receive no more mail,
kilograms or cables"
"I'll take care of that also" Ryanne
looked at Mrs. Chedsoye musingly.
His real estate agent will wire
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