Owingsville outlook., 1922-10-19

tlly ran up the stairs. After her, for
Il moment, gazed the Franciscan, then
shrugged his wide shoulders and
plunged into the crowd.
While she danced, while she chat
red and laughed and entered into the
mad gaicty of the evening, Lucie Le-
that ominuus Franciscan. How could
dunoiS could not Danish from her mind
he have known? How could ne have
guessed what only she and one other
barely suspected? There was no proof,
Of course; the very breath of suSpl-
clon seemed calumny against an up
right man.
Joseph MailIard had sold that Terre-
bOnne 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. lie had not known about the
minerals. of course it was a case only
Of bad Judgment. Yet. lndubitably. ne
was now shareholder and officer in
the Bayou oil company, the concern
Lucie strove anSrily to Danish the
dark thoughts from her mind. Why.
Maillnrd was rich man, n banker, an
honorable gentleman To doubt his
honor. although he was harsh and
stern man. was impossible. Lucie
knew him better than most, and could
not believe
May crave pardon for my crrorf
came voice at her elbow. She turned
to sec the Franciscan again beside
her. with a thousand apologies for
Jmpertinence, mademoiselle; I am very
sorry for my faults. VIII not that
admission obtain for me one little
dance. one hint of forgiveness from
fair ColumbincT"
Something in his voice spelt sin
ccrity. Lucie, smiling. held out her
hand.
"YOu are pardoned. holy man. II
you can dance I'm that friar's robe,
then try it"
Could he dance, indeed! Who could
not dance with Columbine for partner?
/ So saying the monk proved his word
by the deed and proved it well. Nor
I did he again hint that he had recOg-
nIzed her; until, as they parted. he
| once more left her aStoBlShed and
perturbed. As he bowed he mur-
INJURED:
/ Beware, sweet COlumbIne! Beware
of the gay Aramis! Beware of his
/ proposals."
| lie was gone upon the word.
/ ArnmiS? Why, that must be the
| Musketeer, of cOurse-Bob Maillard
| The name, with Its implications, was
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 nc
proof.
Half an hour after this Bob MaIllard
came To her, and with impatient words
made path through the circle which
| surrounded her. Il know you now
| LucieI" he murmured. Il must see
you mt Once-in the conservatory"
! She was minded to refuse, but as.
sented briefly. The words of the
monk intrigued her: what had the
man guessed? If Bob were indeed
about TO propose. she would this time
cut off his hopes for good. But-was
II that sort of proposal?
AS she managed to rid herself OF
her admirers, and descended to the
| conservatory, she was highly veNet
with herself and the Franciscan. ant
sO came To her appointment in M
equnble frame of mind. She fOunC
Maillard waiting in the Old-faShionet
conservatory; he had unmaSked. anC
was putting Il cigarette.
"Ry CAD, LuciC. you're beautiful 10
night. Where did you get that colla
of jewels?'
Indeed" The girl proudly drew
herself up "What business Is tha
of yours, sir?"
Aren't you one Of the family
On it-Luciel Don't you know tina
want To marry you"
"NIy dear Robert. I certainly do no
want to marry any man who swear
to my face-you least of aII!' sh,
cOldly intervened. Il have already re
fused you three times; let this he tn,
fourth and last. Now. kindly inform
me why you wished me to meet yOl
here"
II have chance to make som,
money for you in n hurry" he said
your father left you a good deal o
land up Bayou Terrebonne way"
"Your father sold some of it," sh
put in, idly. His eyes tlickered t
the thrust
"Yes; but you've plenty left, nea
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 If you want to max
some money out of II I'll swing tn
company into leasing at a good tigur
und drilling there"
"YOu think there's oil on the land ?
NO" lie made a swift, energeti
gesture of dissent. ITO be frank,
don't. But I'd like TO throw bit o
luck your way, Lucie. That fellow
Gramont-the prince. you know hin
he's an engineer and a geolOgist
and he's i'm the swim"