The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-06-05
cHAPTER IV-contlnued.

CHAPTER IV-continued.
There's the dusky princess peek
ing out again. The truth is, Abby, II
could hide myself for three or four
years, long enough for people to for
get me- / might reconsider. But It
should be under another name. They
envy us millionaires. Why, we are
the lonesomest buffers going. We dis
trust every one; we fly when a wom-
an approaches; we become mono
maniacs; one thing obsesses us, every
body is after our money. We ewant
friends. we want wives, but we want
them to be attracted to us and not to
our money-bags. Oh, pshaw! What
plans hsve you made in regard to the
search?"
Gloom settled upon the artists face.
I've got to find out what's happened
to her, Ted. This isn't any play. Why,
she loves the part of Marguerite as
she loves nothing else. She's been
kidnapped, and only God knows for
what reason. 1t has knocked me silly.
just came up from Como, where she
spends the summers now. was going
to take her and Fournier out to din.
ner."
Who's Fournier?"
"Mademoiselle Fournier, the COM
poser. She goes with Nora on the
yearly concert tours"
'Pretty?"
Charming"
Il see," thoughtfully What part
of the lake; the Villa d'Este, Cadenab-
bia?"
"Bellaggio Oh, it was ripping last
summer. She's always singing when
she's happy. When she sings out on
the terrace, suddenly, without giving
anyone warning, her voice is wonder
full No audience ever heard anything
like It,"
81 heard her Friday night. dropped
in at the opera without knowing what
they were singing admit all you
say in regard to her voice and looks;
but stick to the whim."
But you can't fake that chap with
the blond mustache,' retorted Abbott
grimly. Lord, l wish l had run into
can telephone to the Opera from the
studio, and then we shall know for a
certainty whether or not she will re-
turn for the performance tonight. If
not, then I'm going in for little de-
tective work"
ABBY, it will turn out to be the
sheep of Little Bo-Peep."
Have your own way about it,"
When they arrived at the studio Abb
bott telephoned promptly. Nothing
had been heard. They were substi-
tuting another singer.
Call up the Herald" suggested
Courtlandt.
Abbott did so. And he had to an
swer innumerable questions, questions
which worked him into a fine rage;
who was he, where did he live, what
did he know, how long had he been in
Paris, and could he prove that he had
arrived that morning? Abbott wanted
to fling the receiver into the mouth of
the transmitter but his patience was
presently rewarded. The singer had
not yet been found, but the chauffeur
of the mysterious car had turned up
in a hospital, and perhaps by
night they would know everything.
The chauffeur had had bad accident;
the car itself was a total wreck, in
ditch, not far from Versailles.
"There!" cried Abbott, slamming
the receiver on the hook. What do
you say to that?"
0Ubo obauffnur nav hava loft har
somewhere. got drunk afterward, and
plunged into the ditch. Things have
happened like that Abby, don't make |
camel's hair shirt out of your paint
brushes. What pother about a sing |
er! If it had been great inventor a |
poet, an artist, there would have been |
nothing more than a two-line para
graph. But an opera singer, one who |
entertains US during our idle eve
nings--ha that's different matter.
Set instantly that great municipal ma
chinery called the police in action;
sell extra editions on the streets.
What ado!"
What the devil makes you so bit
ter?"
Was / bitter? ! thought was
philosophizing Courtlandt consulted
mis- watch Half after four. Come
over to the Maurice and dine with me
tomorrow night, that is, if you do not
find your prima donna. I've an en-
gagement at tlve-thirty, and must be
Off"
Il was about to ask you to dine with
me tonight" disappointedly.
Cant; awfully sorry, Abby. 1t was
only luck that ! met you in the Lux
embourg. Be over about seven.
was very glad to see you again"
Abbott kicked d broken easel into
a corner "All right. II anything
turns up Ill let you know, You're at
the Grand2"
Yes. By-by." !