The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1914-06-05

uceman eoDgriy, THIS u grave &C
cusation to make"
Il make It, nevertheless" replied
Nora She sat stlfiiy ia her chair, her
face colorlesB, dark circles under her
eyes. She never looked toward Court
landt
But Monsieur Courtlandt has Of
fered an abb such az we cannot ig-
more. More than that, his integrity
is vouched for by the gentleman at
his side, whom doubtless mademoi-
selle recognizes"
Nora eyed the great man doubtfully.
What is the gentleman to your"
she was Intercepted.
Absolutely nothing" cOntemptu-
ousIy.
The minister inspected his rings.
He has annoyed me at various
times" continued Nora; that is all.
And his actions on Friday night war
rant every suspicion l have enter
tanned against him."
The chief Of police turned toward
the bandaged chauffeur. you recog-
niZe the gentleman"
mo, monsieur, never saw him be-
fore. 1t was an old man who engaged
me-"
Go on"
HE said that mademoiselIe's old
teacher was very Ill and asked for as
sistance. I left mademoiselle at the
house and drove away. l was hired
from the garage. That Is the truth,
monsieur"
Nora smiled disbelievingIy. Doubt
less he had been paid well for that
lie.
"And your" asked the chief Of No
ra's chauffeur.
HE is certainly the gentleman, mon
sieur, who attempted to .bribe me-"
THAT is true" said Courtlandt with
utmost calmness.
"Mademoiselle, II Monsieur Court
landt wished. he could accuse you OF
attempting to shoot him."
ut was an accident. His sudden ap-
pearance in my apartment frightened
me. Besides, believe a woman who
lives comparatively alone has a legal
and moral right to protect herself
from such unWarrantable intrusions.
l wish him no physical injury, but
am determined to be annoyed by him
no longer"
The minister's eyes sought Court
landts face obliqueiy. Strange young
man, he thought. From the express
sion OF his face he might have been a
spectator rather than the person most
vitality concerned in this little scene.
And what pair they madel
Monsieur Courtlandt, you will give
me your word Of honor not to annoy
mademoiselle againT
II promise never to annoy her
again."
For the briefest moment the blazing
blue eyes clashed with the calm brown
ones. The latter were first to deviate
from the line. II was not agreeable
to look into pair of eyes burning
with the hate of ones self. Perhaps
this conhagration was intensified by
the placidity Of his gaze. II only there
had been some sign of anger, of con-
tempt, anything but this incredible
tranquility against which she longed
to cry out! She was too wrathful to
notice the quickening throb Of the
veins on his temples.
"Mademoiselle, find no case
against Monsieur Courtlandt, unless
you wish to appear against him for his
forcible entrance to your apartment"
Nora shook her head. The chief Of
police stroked his mustache To hide
the fieeting smile. A peculiar case,
the like Of which had never before
come under his scrutinyl "Clrcum-
stantial evidence, we know, points to
him; but we have also an alibi which
Is incontestable. We must look else
where for your abductors. Think;
have you not some enemyf Is there
no one who might wish you worry
and Inconvenience Are your asso-
ciates all loyal to your Is there any
jealousy7"