Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1914-09-26
CHAPTER III.
Search for the Murderer.

sOwn his wild oats ana is setting
down." they said.
Paul was an intelligent, congenial
Young fellow. He was born with a sill
Yer spoon in his mouth, and had GER
tain income which permitted him TO
lead his own life.
He had passed his college eXamina-
lions brilliantly and had held a high
rank in artistic circles. Upon leaving
college he had announced his inten-
ton of becoming an artist. He
promptly wrote a book, composed
two waltzes, and scrubbed off a few
love stories. Then recognizing that
neither music nor literature agreed
with his temperament, he turned his
thoughts to painting.
There was a studio TO rent upon the
same floor upon which he had his
bachelor apartment. He rented it and
furnished it sumptuously.
When he presented the upholster-
er's bill to his father Merseins senior
smiled.
"A studio! What for?"
why, to paint in Of course" re-
piled Paul.
with models ?"
Probably"
Pretty models ?"
Il never liked anything ugly"
Very well. Enjoy yourself for an
other two years. Then we will settle
matters"
At the end of two years Merseins
senior raped on the door of his sons
studio.
"Have you a sitting?" he asked.
rs any pretty model here? If so tell
me and I'll come another time"
No, father; you can come in. /
had a row with the last. She was a
red-haired-"
Your love-affairs do not interest
me" replied Merseins senior; 'all |
have to tell you, my boy, is that you
have had your fling and the time has
come for US to settle accounts"
Paul had no mother and all his love
and respect was lavished on his
father.
Really" said Paul in surprise.
eyes, two thousand francs to pub
lish your book. Here is the bill from
the publisher"
Eyes, but how many copies have
they sold? My royalties, you know"
They have sold fourteen copies"
Paul gave a long, soft whistle.
Your music cost me almost as
much, and what with your monthly
allowance Well, it is time you gave
up painting, music and literature and
did something worth while"
Il ask nothing better, because"
Because what ?" asked the father.
Pm hard hit this time, dad"
What do you mean? Is it seri-
Gus ?"
Never will be more so. It is Val
entine Farades-you have met herr"
"Why, yes, and | have done bust
ness with her father on several occa-
sions. Valentine is lovely girl and
just the very one | should like to see
my sons wife. But you know, my
boy, you can't ask girl to marry you
until you can show what you can do
] can get you a good position on the
Bourse. Will you work ?"
Paul stretched out his hand to his
father
TRY me father" was all ne said.
At the end of six .lonths Paul Mer-
seins had settled down to business
and was to be seen daily at the
Bourse. He had shown his father
what he could do, and the old man
was we'll satisfied
1t was the day that the crime at
Boulogne had been discovered. Paul
had just finished his business and
was hurrving to catch the train for
Auteuil He intended that afternoon
to ask Valentine Farades to become
his wife No news of the crime had
yet reached him. When he arrived at
the garden gate he was surprised to
find policeman there.
Nobody comes in here" said the
officer rudely.
But | want to zee Nile. Valentine
Farades," said Merseins.
Go next door then. She's in
there"
Merseins was surprised, for he
knew that the two families were not
on friendly terms. However, he rang
the bell next door and sent in his card
by the servant. Valentine and Jeanne
were sitting together.
at is Paul." Valentine munnured,
CHANGING at the card. Jeanne, how
shall / tell him ?"
Hide nothing from him; just tell
him everything frankly" Jeanne an
swered.
Valentine Farades went into the
drawing room and in a few words told
Paul Merseins that her father and
uncle were accused of murder.
His eyes which had lit up as she en-
tered the room seemed transfxed
with horror. Her father a murderer!
Instinctively he recoiled, but it was
only for a moment. Then he took her
hand in his.
Poor little Val, this is terrible he
said. DO you know why | came
down today? ! was so full of hope.
You can guess what it was that
wanted TO ask.
For a moment she was silent; her
long fringed eyelashes had dropped
over her dark eyes When she lifted
them to his face, she said quite sim
ply:
Eyes, / think | know what it was,
Paul, but it cannot be now. 1t was
gust a dream, you know, and it must
end"
at is no use. There is nothing that
can alter my love for you. Now just
tell me everything; there may be
como wav i'm which / can help YOU"