Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-27
THE TWICE AMERICAN
By Eleanor NJ. I.sra. Asther of sFyor tie Car Behind

ram : AKther of "Fr,
Il am not more superstitious than
other men," Noef answered. "But I
am haunted tonight, Gil. I could say
Corey Bruce ri 1t my side, grasp
ing at me-a reproachful ghost"
You think, then, he is-?"
IN he we're alive, why should be
as the younger nj moved. "You
know We have searched"
"You believe he was murdered?"
Milo asked hoarsely.
HE had reason to believe the safe
would be robbed. since he removed its
contents to another place. 1 fear he
tried to defend it, and was killed. A
body IAN be hidden. 1t y hard to
d q living man; ana what object
could there be in Kidnapping him?
Whatever happened while he was
alone In the library, we may never
know. Perhaps Ne was defending
you, gu, while you lay helpless up
Granados did not at once reply.
When ne finally spoke, it was with
marked reluctance. He avoided look
9 ~ ASoSy ~ oGOOu IICdE = pllAdIS
his profile dark against the moon
whttened stones as he looked down
the white road Al IL curiously ex-
pectant OF some visitor.
You know, you both know"
Graiados slowly commenced, that I
liked Bruce. He pleased me much
from the first. Yet there is 4 runor
af1oat-N drifts % me here and there
from men I trust, but who hardly
know how it came to their. ears.
David, did you think that
Bruce was a convict here, with a long
sentence to serve, but in his own
country he would be secure and free?
OF course, you protected him. Still,
he might have wanted his liberty.
When vat i'll, no one to watch him
- ne might have ned the country"
Noel quietly returned. COREY Bruce
had no need to escape from this coun-
try. He might have gone openly had
he chosen. 1 obtained his pardon
from the Governor before I sailed for
New York, and spoke to him about
it myself to be sure that he had re-
ceived the certificate. I warned him
political success, 1t might not be
duplicated"
Granados uttered an exclamation Of
! strong establishment.
"You did? He never spoke of that
to me. I cannot understand
"He said very little to me-" Noel
returned. II had Milo give the paper
| to him. I did not want to embarrass
him."
"or want him to thank you" Gran
ADDS supplied. what did he say to
you, Nilo?"
Milo stirred in his chair.
Nothing" his low voice answered..
ut was in an envelope; the pardon, I
mean. He just took 1t. 1 went out
Of the room. I never could bear to
think Of him as a convict. I never
take. He was one Of us! I left him
alone to open the envelope"
"He spoke to you about it, after
ward?" 1870
mo. I was glad. 1 knew he must
have spoken to Dom David, thanked
him, Of course
HE did not" Noel corrected. II
said what I thought necessary to him
Of the matter, and there It was
"But"-Nilo began raising himself
in his chair-"hs thanked4you-----"
"'He said nothing" p
The three regarded each other.
Granados spoke first. %
David. something ID wrong. Your
American was the most grateful soul
alive. He spoke TO- me once Of his
glasses; Of your getting them for
The never took his freedom from you
! without a word"
II have had much to fill my mind"
Noel deprecated. mo, it was not in
character. I had not thought Of 1t.
His disappearance 1 have tried to
solve, in vain. / have not FORGOTTEN
OF failed him, Gil. Yet tonight, It
seemed to me that I have done both.
fI-tell you, / feel haunted"
There was a faint ringing Of thin
slase brushed by Ice. A servant en-
tered with a tray, which he offered to
each man in turn. Noel, taking a
glass Of lemonade, looked more close
" at the servers Swallowed face.
I. You serve US tonight, Benito?"
Eyes, master" murmured the In
! dian.
"rell me, then, whom / saw on the
road, ten minutes past?"
1T was ], master."
Where had you been at this
hourg"
There is a girl, master. who
dances At the tavern"
Noel shrugged. turning aside.
"Suficiente, Benito! You may CO."
Master, she wore on her thumb
this!"
He held out on his palm an
amethyst ring. Noel took it, looked.
then slowly turned and gave 1t to
Milo Valdez. Granados bent to look
also. There was no need of speech.
where did the woman at the tav-
ern get this, Benito? ;" Noel demanded.
Master, she is a gypsy. They wan
der afar. She has it from the jailer
of the prison of Rio Eabuco, who told
her that he bought it in the town
nearest there"
COREY was murdered said Milo
hoarsely. Murdered and-robbed."
Benito had not finished. II have
found, master, where the Senior
Bruce rode the two days he was last
seen. The woma had 1t from the
jailer at that prison."
"Where?"
"as went on the railroad and visit
ed Rio Nabuco, n master"
What for?"
"For nothing, master. The Senior
Bruce rode away again and came
home here. The jailer told the Wor1-
an that night. When I told her the
ring was his, she told me-"
Noel stood still. looking at the pur-
pie stone cleaning in Nilo's palm. A
wild fancy had come to him.
Milo, you are sure you save Bruce
1.-the pafdon?" he Questioned.
Certainty, Dom David" The Sec
Iretary looked sp. sufprisSd.