Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1913-04-25

Bracnaru hau nearu the uOoT VI the
adjoining room open and close as Jean
admitted Govain. He knew that the
man he hated--the man who had done
him the greatest possible injury-was
there in his power
Govain, looking considerably the
worse for night of dissipation. but
dressed with exquisite care. entered
and confronted him.
His manner was blend Of curiosity,
boredom and disdain. He carried in
his hand slender, curiously shaped
cane. which he threw on the center
table as he came in.
Hello, Govain! l thought | heard
you come ill.," Brachard said, affecting
extreme cordiality THANK you for
coming"
$50 it's really you" Govain exclain-
ed looking at the financier
.Surprised to see me, eh?' Rrachard
said with a light laugh.
We'll, yes-slightly. What are you
bodybuilding in Paris?'
Cant you guess
II can't. You said something about
a woman"
why. my dear boy, its all about a
woman"
is that so? An affair, Ell? How
funny"
1t struck Govain as extremely udi
crous that Brachard, the homely, I'M
emotional man of money. should have
an affair with woman. He sat down.
his hat still on. looked at Brachard
with frank insolence and laughed.
AS he thought of the situation his
amusement grew. Here was Bra
chard. whose wife he had stolen away
from his home only a few hours ear
lier himself in the meshes Of an in
trgue. 1t was delicious, irresistible,
and he laughed again
1T isn't as funny as you think"
Brachard suggested. with certain
grimness in his tone.
My dear fellow. it's 4 great deal
funnier than you can believe Govain
exclaimed. with another burst of laugh
ter Here | get to bed ut s o'clock
cOnfOund it, before I've had two hours
sleep"
Yes; | thought l could depend on
you to come" Brachard said.
And all the while your Wife-yOur
poor Wife-and your friends-yOur
poor friends-thought you were cross
ing the channel. You are-oh this is
too much. Brachard, you are deli
cious."
Brachard liked this frank demonstra-
was really quite as much amused as
Goyain, but he didn't laugh. Instead
he fostered the others delusion.
Il don't look at it as you do" he said.
Il tried an old trick long known to
husbands who want a day off.
Yes, but you. Oh, my"
why not me? You make me Gu
riOus"
Well. nobody has ever thought you
frivolous" GOvan said. looking at
Brachard and laughing again bolster
ously. I've always thought you badly
y
you've always thought that?" Bra
chard asked.
Yes; though you were crazy about
her.
Come, come. You thought that?"
Brachard asked incredulOus now.
why, OF course. Every one said so.
| should have sworn that her cool
ness toward you only made you the
more anxious to win her She always
seemed to me very cold and reserved"
Brachard replied vaguely, and Go
vain went on:
Its not that | find you more de-
monstratiye, but. to put my finger on
the exact spot. l always thought you a
very moral man.
"Perhaps | am Brachard said.
You are. l know. under all circum-
stances, Il very watchful friend. This
interest in me touches me, Jerome
| won't forget it,"
You're joking GOvain said, rather
uneasily Explain your message to
me-"
jerome, will you do me a great
favor?'
you've no idea what will do for
YOU Govain assured him. "Anything.
when it's a question Of your welfare"
Il was sure of it." Brachard said.
because now, at a critical time. | rely
upon your affection. Jerome, YOU will
Oblige me more than can tell YOU by
having lunch with me, and not leaving
me for Il second for the next three or,
perhaps. four hours | am passing
through a dreadful period of my ex-
istence. | expect every moment a
piece of neWS-very serious news
Solitude renders me nervous. and the
presence of an ordinary friend would
drive me crazy. | am so fond of you
that | beg you not to leave me-
You amaze me more and more, old
fellow Govain said. growing really
curious. 1T must be after II now.
I'll come back in little while"
ooh. no"' Brachard interposed him
af