St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1922-08-19

Lucie turned away from him quickly.
II think that you have made some
grave error, monsieur" she said. Her
voice was cold, charged with dismissal
and offended dignity. Il pray you, ex-
cuse me-"
Not waiting any response, she has
tly ran up the stairs. After her, for
moment, gazed the Franciscan, then
shrugged his wide shoulders and
plunged into the crowd.
While she danced, while she chat
tered and laughed and entered into the
mad gaiety of the evening, Lucie Lee
danois could not Danish from her mind
that ominous Franciscan. How could
he have known How could he have
guessed what only she and one other
barely suspected? There was no proof,
Of course; the very breath Of suspi-
cion seemed calumny against an up
right man!
Joseph Maillard had sold that Terre-
bonnie land six months before any gas
or oil had been discovered there, and
eight months before Lucie had come
into the management Of her own af-
fairs. He had not known about the
minerals, of course it was case only
Of bad Judgment. Yet Individually, he
was now shareholder and officer in
the Bayou Oh company, the concern
which had bought that strip of land.
Lucie strove ahgrily to Danish the
dark thoughts from her mind. Why,
Maillard was rich man, banker, an
honorable gentleman! To doubt his
a stern man, was impossible. Lucte
knew him better than most, and could
not believe
MAY crave pardon for my error7"
came a voice at her elbow. She turned,
to see the Franciscan again beside
her. "With thousand apologies for
tmpertinence, mademoiselle; am very
sorry for my faults. Will not that
admission obtain for me one little
dance, one hint of forgiveness from
fair Columbine?"
Something In his voice spelt sim
cerity. Lucie, smiling, held out her
hand.
"You are pardoned, holy man. II
you can dance IN that frlar's robe,
then try It'll"
Could he dance, indeed! Who could
not dance with Columbine for partner9
So saying, the monk proved his word
by the deed and proved it well. Nor
did he again hint that he had recog-
ulzed her; until, as they parted, he
once more left her astonished and
perturbed. AS he bowed he MUIR
INJURED:
Beware, sweet Colunbine! Beware
Of the gay Aramis! Beware OF his
proposals |"
He was gone upon the word.
Aramis7 Why, that must be the
Musketeer, of course-Bob Maillard!
The name, with its implications, was
a clever hit But who was this brown
monk, who seemed to know so much,
who danced so divinely, whose French
was like music? A.vague suspicion was
in the girls mind, but she had no
proof.
+. Half an hour after this Bob Maillard
came to her, and with impatient words
made a path through the circle which
surrounded her. II know you now,
Lucie!" he murmured. II must see
you at once-in the conservatory"
She was minded to refuse, but as
sented briefly. The words of the
monk intrigued hU; what had the
man guessed? If Bob were indeed
about to propose, she would this time
cut off his hopes for good. But-was
It that sort Of proposal?
AS she managed to rid herself Of
her admirers, and descended to the
conservatory, she was highly vexed
with herself and the Franciscan, and
so came to her appointment in no
equable frame Of mind. She found
Maillard waiting in the old-fashioned
conservatory; he had unmasked, and
was putting cigarette.
"By CAD. Lucie, you're beautiful to-
llkIl. w me uIu yOu bct LhaI 11lui
of jewels?''
"Indeed!- The girl proudly dres,
herself up. "What business Is that
of yours, sir?''
"Aren't you one Of the family1
On it-Luciel Don't you know that
I want to marry you
my dear Robert, certainly do not
want to marry any man who swears
to my face-you least Of all! !" she
coldly interviewed. Il have already re-
fused you three times; let this be the
fourth and last. Now, kindly inform
me why you wished me to meet you
here"
II have chance to make some
money for you in hurry he said.
'Your father left you good deal Of
land up Bayou Terrebonne way"
"Your father sold some of It," she |
put in, idly. Els eyes flickered to
the thrust. 4
Eyes; but you've plenty left, near
Paradis. It's away from the gas field,
but I'm interested in an oil company.
We've plenty Of money, and we're go
Ing to go strong after the liquid gold.
That land of yours Is good for moth
Ing else, and II you want to make
some money out of 1t I'll swing the
into leasing at good figure
and drilling there
y