The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1914-07-02

His name she did not know. having
been with the signorina but two weeks
| Celeste Fournier. the celebrated
young pianist and composer, who
shared the apartment with the miss
Ing prima donna. stated that she
hadn't the slightest idea where her
friend was. She was certain that mis-
fortune had oyertaken her In some IN
applicable manner. To implicate the
Italian was out OF the question. He
was well-known to them both. He had
arrived again at seven, Saturday, and
was very much surprised that the sig
norma had not yet returned. He had
waited till nine, when he left. greatly
disappointed. He was the Barone di
Monte-Verdi In Calabria, formerly
miiitf4ry attache at the Italian embassy
In Berlin. Sunday noon MademoiselIe
Bournier had notified the authorities
She did not know. but she felt sure
that the blond stranger knew more
than anyone else. And here was the
end OF things. The police found them
selves at standstill. They searched
the hotels but without success: the
blond stranger could not 10 found.
Abbott's eyes were not happy and
pleasant just now. They were dull
and blank with the reaction OF the
stunning blow. He, too, was certain
OF the Barone. Much as he secretly
hated the Italian. he knew him to be a
fearless and an honorable man. But
who could this blond stranger be who
appeared SO sinisterly in the two
scenes? From where had he come?
Why had Nora refused to explain
about the pistol-shot? Any woman
had a perfect right to shoot a man
who forced his way into her apart
ment Was he one OF those mad fools
who had fallen in love with her, and
had become desperatei Or was it
some one she knew and against whom
she did not wish to bring any charges?
Abducted! And she might be, at this
very moment, suffering all sorts OF In
dignities. 1t was horrible to BIO so
helpless.
The sparkle OF the sunlight upon the
ferrule OF cane, extending over his |
shoulder, broke In on his agonizing
thoughts. He turned, an angry word
on the tip OF his tongue. He expected
to see some tourist who wanted to be
Tied Courtlandtl" He Jumped up,
oyerturning the stool. And where the
dickens did you come from? thought
you were In the Orient?"
Just got back. Abby"
The two shook hands and eyed each
other with the appraising scrutiny of
friends Of long standing.
You don't change any" said Alb
1ott.
Nor do you. I've been standing
behind you fully two minutes. What
we're you glooming about? Old Silenus
'ffend your"
Have you read the Herald this
Il never read 1t nowadays. They
re always giving me roast of some
Ind. Whatever l do they are bound
misconstrue It," Courtlandt stopped
nd righted the stool, but sat down on
he grass, his feet In the path. What's
he trouble? Have they been after
our"
Abbott rescued the offending paper
nd shaking 1t under his friends nose.
aid: Read that"
Courtlandt's eyes widened consider
bly, as they absorbed the significance
the heading--"Eleonora da Toscana
Kissing"
BAH" he exclaimed.
"You say bah?"
1T looks like one OF their advertis-
lg lodges. l know something about
myers" Courtlandt added. Il en-
ineered musical comedy once"
You do not know anything about
err" cried Abbott holly
That's true enough" Courtlandt
nished the article. folded the paper
nd returned It. and began digging In
he path with his cane.
But what / want to know is. who
he devil is this mysterious blond
tranger?" Abbott flourished the pa
er again 81 tell you. it's no adver-
lsing dodge. She's been abducted.
he blondl"
Courtlandt ceased boring into the
arth. The story says that she re.