The Detroit times., 1913-10-13

, The trio invaded the lace shop, ana
Nora and her mother agreed to bury
the war-hatchet In their mutual love
OF Venetian and Florentine fneries.
Celeste pretended to be interested.
but in truth she was endeavoring 10
piece together the few facts she had
been able TO extract from the rubbish
or conjecture Courtlandt and Nora
had met somewhere before the begin
ming OF her own intimacy with the
singer. They certainly must have
formed an extraordinary friendship.
for Noras subsequent vindictiveness
could not possibly have arisen out OF
the ruins OF an Indifferent acquaint-
ance. Nora could not be moved from
the belief that Courtlandt had abduct-
ed her; but Celeste was now positive
that he had had nothing to do with II.
He did not impress her as man who
would abduct a woman. hold her pris-
one for five days, and then hber-
rate her without coming near her
to press his vantage. rightly or wrong
ly. He was too strong parsonage. He
was here in Bellaggio, and attached TO
that could be but one significance
Why. then. had he not spoken at
the photographers? Perhaps she her
self had been SUFFICIENT reason for his
dumbneBs. He had recognized her,
and the Espionage OF the night In Paris
Was no LONGER q mystery. Nora had
sent her to follow him; why then all
this bitterness, since she had not been
told where he had gone? Had Nora
forgotten to inquire? II was possible
that, In view Of the startling events
which had followed, the matter had
slipped entirely from Nora's mind.
Many time she had resorted to that
subtle guile known only Of woman to
trap the singer But Nora never Stun
bled. and her smile was as firm bar
rier TO her thoughts. her secrets. as
stone wall would have been.
Celeste had known about Herr
ROsen's infatuation. Aside from that
which concerned this stranger. Nora
had withheld no real secret from her.
Herr Rosen had been given his congo,
but that did not prevent him from
sending fabulous baskets OF flowers
and gems, all Of which were calmly
returned without comment. Whenever
q jewel found Its way into q bouquet
Of flowers from an unknown, Nora
would promptly convert 1t into money
and give the proceeds to some charity.
1t afforded the singer no small amuse-
ment to show her scorn In this fash
ion. Yes, there was one other little
mystery which she did not conflde to
her friends. Once q month. wherever
she CHANGED TO be singing, there a.
rived simple bouquet OF marguerites.
In the heart Of which they would In
variably find an uncut emerald. Nora
never disposed Of these emeralds. The
flowers she would leave in her dress
ing-room: the emerald would disap-
pear. Was there some one else?
Mrs. Harrigan took the omnibus up
to the villa It was generally too
much OF q climb for her. Nora and
Celeste preferred to walk.
He - here, and over at Cadenabbia
him. In heavens name. Why cant
they let me beY'
Herr Rossn?"
Yes"
Why not speak to your father"
And have q hsticuh which would
appear In every Newspaper In the
world? No. thank you. There 10
enough scapdalous stun being printed
as 1t Is. and am helpless to prevent
It."
AS the climb starts OF stiffly, there
wasn't much inclination In either to
talk. Celeste had come TO one de-
cision. and that wae that Nora should
find out Courtlandt's presence here In
Bellaggio herself. When they arrived
at the villa gates, Celeste offered q
suggestion.
"You could easily stop all this rumor
and annoyance"
And. pray. how7"
Marry"
II prefer the rumor and annoyance.
I hate men Most Of them are beasts"
You are prejudiced."
II Celeste expected Nora to reply
that she had reason. she was disap-
pointed. Nora quickened her pace,
that was all.
At luncheon Harrigan innocently
threw q bomb into camp by inQuiring:
Say, Nora. who's this chump Herr
Rosen?
He was up here last night and
again this morning. It WAS going to
OFFER him the cot on the balcony, but
I thought I'd consult you first"
Herr Rosen!" exclaimed Mrs.
a fiutter In her throat.
why, that's -
"A charming young man who wishes
me to sign q contract to sing to him
In perpetuity," interrupted Nora,
pressing her mothers foot warningly.
We'll. why don't you marry him."
laughed Harrigan. There's worse
things than frankfurters and sauer-
kraut."
Not that I can think of just now"
returned Nora.
(Continuod)