The Elbert County tribune., 1919-06-06

| for"-I hesitated again "a two
weeks journey"
| Bermuda or Niagara Falls7" asked
the young woman.
81 beg your pardon7' inquired. con.
scioas that my face was insufferably
hot.
"If You are taking madame to Ber-
muda she will naturally require cooler
clothing than II you are taking her to
Niagara Falls" the young woman ex-
planned. looking at me with benevolent
patience. And seeing that was wholly
disconnected, she added:
Perhaps madame might prefer to
| psake her own selection"
As stood in the center of the store,
apparently a stumbling block to every
shopper. Jacqueline fitted here and
there. until comfortable assortment
of parcels was accumulated upon the
counter.
l bought neat sole-leather suit
case. which, at Jacqueline's practical
suggestion, was changed for a lighter
one of plated straw.
1t was while Jacqueline was exam
lining the suitcases that my attention
was drawn to a tall. elderly man with
a hard. drawn and deeply lined
weather-beaten face and wearing
massive fur overcoat, open in front.
who was standing In the division be-
tween the trunk department and that
adjoining 1t, Immediately behind
Jacqueline. He was looking at me
with an unmistakable glance of rec
ognition.
l knew that had seen him several
times before. but, though his features
were familiar, had forgotten his
name. / stared at him and he stared
back at me, and made an urgent sign
| to me.
Keeping an eye on Jacqueline and
not losing sight of her at any time,
followed the tall man. AS I neared
him my remembrance of him grew
stronger. When he turned round
had his name on my lips.
| 1t was Simon Leroux.
"Diablel So you've got heri" he
began In hoarse, forcIble whisper
where did you pick her up?'
l made no answer, but waited for
him to lead again-and was thinking
| hard.
'There's the devil to pay |" he went
| on in his execrable accent. Louis
came on post-haste, as you know, and
he hasn't turned up this morning yet.
All. mon Dieu, always knew Tom was
close. but never dreamed you knew
| anything. You know what happened
last night?"
ut was an unfortunate affair.""
said guardedly.
unfortunate he repeated, staring
at me out of his bloodshot eyes. at
was the devil. by - Who was her
His face was fiery red. and he cast
| SO keen look at me that / almost
thought he had discovered he was be-
traying himself.
ut was lucky was in New York
when Louis wired US she had flown"
he continued-I omit the oaths which
punctuated his phrases. Lucky / had
my men with me, too. I didn't think
I'd need them here. but I'd promised
them trip to New York-and then
come Louis wire. put them on the
track. l guessed she'd 60 to Days
old Duchaine was mad about that
crazy system of his. and had been
writing to him.
~ tell you It was ticklish. There
was millions Of dollars worth of prop
erty walking up Broadway, and they'd
got her. with taxi waiting near by.
when that DEVILS fool strolls up and
draws a crowd. II I'd been there I'd
| have"
A string of vile expletives followed
his last remark.
| They got on his track again and
followed them to the Merrimac," he
| continued. "And they never came out.
They waited all night till nine this
morning. and they never came out.
thought her a good girl-it's awful |
Who was he7 Say. how much do you
known"
His face was dripping with sweat.
and he shot an awful look at Jacque-
| line as she bent over the suitcase. 1
could hardly keep my hands OF him,
but Jacqueline's need was too great
for me to give vent to my passion.