The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1921-05-17
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A MV@Steryof To-Ddy
g. By NJilhom lie Oueux

far Cff mountains Of Italy
His ring a. the door was an5werek
by . Said, elderly Gtaain man scr
want
Il believe Mauemo'seiie is at
home" Hugh said IN French. Il de-
siis 10 see her, and also to apologies
for the latcness of the hour. Ny visit
is one OF urgency"
"Madcmoisele secs nobody exceg
by appointment was the manigT -
lite but firm reply.
Il think she will see ne il YOU G
her this card" answered Hugh in
strained. unusual voice, "a
The man took 1t hesitatingly, \
glanced at It. placed in upon a silver !
salver, and leaving the visitor stand
ing on the mat. passed through the
glass swinging doors into the house
For some moments the servant did
not reappear.
Hugh, standing there, entertained
just a faint suspison that he heard Il
womans shrill ejaculation Of sur
prise. And that sound emboldencd
him.
At last, after an nGc 1t seemed the
man returned. sayng:
'Nlademoiselle will see you mon
sicur. Please come this way"
He left his hat and stick and fol-
lowed the man along a corridor. rich.
ly carpeted in red, to a door on the
opposite side of the house, which tha
servant threw open. and announced
the visitor.
Mademoiselie had risen 20 receive
him. Her countenance was, Hugh
saw. blanched almost to the lips. Her
black dress caused her paDor 10 be
more apparent.
well, sir? Pray. what do You
mean by resUrting Ia this ru&s in or
der to see inc? Who arr you" She
demanded.
Hugh was silent for n moment.
Then in a hard voice he said:
~ am the son " the dead man
whose card you hold in your hand
Madcmo!se And / aAu here TO esk
you a few questions!"
The handsome woman smiled 5ar-
caStiC;llly, and shrugged her half-balyS
her Jade bCuds.
"Oh! Your father Is dad, is he?''I
she asked with an air OF indifference.
Eyes. He is dead" Hugh said mean
ingly rs he glanced around the luxu-
rious little room with it's soft, rose
shaded lights and pale blue and gold
decorations On her right as she
stood were the long French windows
which opened on to u balcony. Ono OF
the windows stood aJar and it was
apparent that when he called she had
been seated in the long wicker chair
| outside enjoying the balmy moonlight
after the sitting atmosphere Of the
! rooms.
And, Mademoisell,.," he went on. II
/ happen 10 be aware that you knew my
! father. and and that YOU are cogniE-
| ant of certain facts concerning his
mysterious end"
~" she cried, raising nor voice in
| sudden Indignation. What on earth
! do you mcan?" She spoke in perfect
! English. though he had httheTt"
spoken in French.
81 mean, Mademoisclle, that I IN
tend TO know the truth" said Hugh
! fixing his eyes detewninedly upon
hers. 'T am here to learn it frHn
your lips"
you must be mad" cried the
woman. 'T know nothing of the at
fair You are mistaken"
| do you, then, deny that you have
ever met Il man named Charles Ben
ton?" demanded the young fellow.
| raising his voice. Perhaps, how
ever, that is bitter memory, Made
moiselLe-oh? ,"
/ The strikingly handsome woman
pursed her lips. There was a strange
look in her eyes. For several mo.
nonts she did not speak. II was
clear that the sudden appearance of
the dead mans son had utterly I'M
, nervcd her. What could ne know
concerning Charles Benton? HOY
much of the affair did he suspectFv
| Il have met many people, Mr.-cr-I
Mr.. Henfrey" she replied quietly as
last. Il may have met somebody
named Benton"
"Ah! l see" the young man said.
I a a.,
to recall any more than that of my
dead father!"
Your father was good man. Ben.
ton was not"
All! Then you admit knowing botn
OF them. Mademoisello," cried Hugh
quickly.
Yes. I-well-I may as well ad-
mt II! why indeed should I seek to
hide the truth--from you" she said
IN changed voice. Pardon me. [
was very upset at receiving the On rSi,
Pardon Ine-wiii you not?''
VIII not, unless you tell mo the
truth concerning my fathers dea I'll,
and his lniQuitous will left concerning
mySe!r. am hero t0 ascertain that,
voice.
p And II I tell you-what Them" she
asked, with knit brows.
II you tell me, then | am prepare,E
10 promise you on oath secrecy con
corning yourSelf-prOvidcd YOU allow
me to punish those who are RESPONSE
BILE, Remember, my father died BY
foul means. And you know IL"
The woman faced him boldly. buu
; she was very pale.
50 that is n promise?" She asked
You will protect me--you will he
silent regarding me-you swear 10 h.
so-if-if | tell YOU something. I re-
peat that your father was a good
man | held him in the highest es-
TEEN, naturalization all--it is but
right that you, his son, should know
the truth.
! THANK you, MademoiseIle. -
, protect you II you will only reN69I \,
me the devilish plot which resulted ~
his untimely end" Hugh assured ba,.-
Again she knit her brows ana re-
= tiected for few moments. Then In
J n low tense voice, she SAID.
, Listen, Mr. Hcnfrey. ! feel tba.
after all, my conscience would no 70.
! ieved if l revealed to you tho truth
/, First-woll, 1t Is no use denvipo 49,
. fact that your father was nof eyactIN
/ the man you and his friends hniiovod
2 ! him to be. He led strange duaI rr,
: istencc, and l will disclose IN vo', on.,
, or two facts concerning his nnti,,,,i,,
|