Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-07-25
The Z errk4zS::fa
w N ROBERT " CHAMBERS N w
Continuation of Chapter XXX

L hope you will come. I desire to
be generous on my part. Ask your
;alf whether you are able to believe
this. You don't know women, Mr..
will be a wrong one.
But think you'll come all the
.,ame And you will be right in COM
Use DUMONT.
It was a foregone conclusion that
.:ld read half the note. And when he
finished it he was certain.
Amused, his curiosity excited
'rateful that the adventure had not
vet entirely ended, he lighted Gig
irette and looked impatiently at his
watch,
1t lacked half an hour of the ap-
ointed time and his exhilaration was
teadily increasing.
He stuck the note into the frame
- his mirror over the washstand with
4 vague idea that if anything hap
"cned 10 him this would furnish a
, Tue to his whereabouts.
Then he thought Of the steward
Gut,& although he had no reason to
.4lieva the girl who had written him,
omething within him made him
ashamed to notify the steward as to
were he was going. He ought to
nave done it; common prudence BORN
OF experience with Use Dumont sug-
sssted it. And yet he could not
ring himself to do IT; and exactly
wny, he did not understand.
One thing, however, he could do;
AID he did. He wrote note to Cap
sin West, giving the Paris, address
ct the Princess Mistchenka, and asked
nat the olive-wood box be delivered
TO her in case any accident befelI
nim This note he dropped into the
mailbox at the end of the main cor
s;dor as he went out. A few min
utcs later he stood in an empty pas
Is. He had a loaded automatic in
his breast pocket, a cigarette between
his fingers, and, on his agreeable fea-
,ures a smile of anticipation-a smile
n which amusement, incredullty,
reckless humor and a spice of malice
we're blended-the smile. born of the
drop of Irish sparkling like cham
pagne in his singing veins.
And he turned the knob of door
No. 623 and went in.
She was reading, curled up on her
sofa under the electric bulb, a cigar
She looked up leisurely as he en-
tered, gave him a friendly nod, and,
when he held out his hand, placed her
own in it. With delighted gravity he
bcnt and saluted her finger tips with
IDS IQ2I LWlltIl6u 10 COuIIOl SAIIIIC'
viii you be seated please?'' she
said gently.
The softness of her agreeable voice
struck him as he looked around for
:. seat, then directly at her; and saw
hat she meant him to find seat on
me lounge beside her. -
Now, indeed you are schehera-
z.de of the Thousand and One
c.garette and your bonbons, and
tross-legged on your divan-"
Did Scheherazade smoke cigarettes
Mr. Neeland?"
No" he admitted; that is an
:iow are you dear lady%'
Thank you. quite we'll"
And-busy?" His lips struggled
;-ain to maintain their gravity.
Yes, I have been busy"
Cooking something up?-f mean
Cup. of course" he added.
She forced a smile, but Redeemed
s though it were difficult for her to
ccustom herself to his half jesting
so you've been busy,"he resumed
! ormentingly. but not with cooking
With your pretty little pistol.
You know you really need a bit OF
small arms practice. Scheherazade."
Because I once missed you?" she
INQUIRED serenely.
why so you did, didn't you?" he
claimed, delighted to goad her into
replying.
yes" she said. st missed you. !
raedn't have. I am really dead
not. Mr.. Neeland."
oh, Scheherazade!" he protested
She shrugged:
II am not Dragging; [ could have
KILLED you. I supposed it was neces-
i2ry only to frighten you. 1t was my
mistake and bad one"
my dear child" he expostulated,
ecu meant murder and you know it.
Lo you suppose I believe that you
5row how to shoot?'
But [ do, Mr.. Neeland," she re-
'rrned with good-humored indiffer-
ence. My father was head jaeger
10 Count Geier Won Sturmspitz, and
was already dead shot with a
rifle when we emigrated to Canada.
And when he became an Athabasca