Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-09

oA1cx neat no saw ltaZllly GanCo
wv again at the hedge. then rush TO the
steps and snatch his rihe Where
upon old Nat rose Ike quail and resumed
his departure.
Instead Of chasing tho runaway Nat, Mr.
Tlorian Razilly went bounding UP the back
steps and raced along the vast hallway OF
Bennington House. From afar OF Adelaide
heard him coming. Her door stood slightly
aJar. and through Its crack she saw his
insane fury. Never had Florian seemed so
maddened, and Adelaide thought Of fleeing
across tho hall to take refuge with Barbara.
Too lata Tho demcntcd husband might
catch her. OF course, she could clear herself
II he would only listen; and the terrified little
0Gure hesitated as she glanced about for a
hiding place. No. She must face him. be
calm, and gain time. Like many volatile
women, Adelaide got excited over triies. but
could summon the most amazing composure
70 meet an actual danger. Frightened as she
was, she sat down quickly at her dressing
table and became occupied with some intri.
cate rsarrangement Of hair. A mouthful Of
hatrpins would servo as her pretext for
silence while F1orian talked himself out.
Then she could handle him.
Her door opened violently. and Adelaide
hrst saw tho muzzle Of a rife; not that
F1orian planned to threaten her, but the
weapon CHANGED to be in his hand. Then.
F1orian himself lowered like god of venge-
ance upon her threshold. One moment he
glared in crushing stiffness before producing
the proof as he accused her:
madame. here's a note from your lover"
Adelaide had meant to be self-contained, to
hold her temper as we'll as her tongue, but
when French met French she sprang up with
face as white as his was red, and exclaimed:
My lover You insult mel"
-spare your theatricals. madame" he
Knocked. "I've caught you. Read that"
~Let mo sec it," She held out her hand
Cor tho note, but he natched It away.
So this IL what you've been doing This
is why you've been taking long rides? Meet.
lngs at the lake7 With criminal"
Hush. Florian. hush! People viii hear
you." ...a
II want them to hear! Tho whole world
shall proclaim i'll"
But listen to me, listen
"why listen? Can not read? Can not
eee7" He tossed the rife on their bed, kicked
his helmet into q corner, and moved, crouch
Ing, toward her, with convulsive fingers
working like strangler'A Ibid you meet
Stuart Clayton?"
I'm not sure, T.
mot sure? Mon Dieu! Madame Is not
sure!" This set Razilly wild again, rufling
his hair and raving like a madman; which
had tho effect Of steadying Adelaide as he
whirled and thrust his face into her own.
Madame, I command you to tell the
truth"
She threw back her head and laughed
hysterically. "How can I tell the truth,
until"
mo, mon Dieu! You cannot tell the truth"
"Not until see the note" she finished
.Ahi His note. From his dear hands!
No! tear it up! I trample it under my foot!
spit upon It'll" But Florian did not tear nor
spit; he only trampled, and struck tragic atti-
tudes, until Adelaide knew that he was run.
ming short Of breath. So she reached out
again and said, almost quietly, Give me the
note"
.Therel Take III"
He folded his arms and devoured her face
as she received her condemnation. It might
we'll have been q laundry list, for Adelaide
never batted an eye nor showed a tremor Of
guilt while she tried to decipher the scrawl.
He grew impatient, he dung apart his arms.
well! Well! Have you no defense7"
-What is this word, Florian?" she In.
CURED. with the tip Of polished nail point
I
THAT" he answered scornfully. Those
words are plain. Our last meeting What
about your last meeting?"
sIts too funny" she chuckled. "Of
course. this is our last meeting but it
looks more like one lost mutton F1orian,
really you must complain to the postoflce
authorities. This note is not for me-"
"Not for your" His dark eyes contracted
to keen little point, sharp as his question,
you think to trick me like fool? See!
There's your name, Adelaide" He
turned over the envelope ana showed the
address. Now. Madame no more Of your
lies. Did you meet him."
"I? Tell you lie? Now. tell you
nothing. Adelaide fronted him defantly,
and repeated Nothing Nothing
"You will tell me! must find out''
.Then find out for yourself-or ask Bar.
hara.'
The husband fumed in helpless rage. He
could not strike her. nor shoot, nor choke;
and even his muddled senses realized that
NO human power could force Adelaide to talk.
madame" he said, ait Is shameful to in
auire Of strangers but l shall ask Barbara
They both turned as Barbara's voice
came to them from the opposite room. oh,
J1orian," she called. did you speak to met"