The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-08-18
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IL bad enough. but -"

Is bad enough, but -" - 4 q - 4. -
Hes discarded all that. He was
never French except: In name"
"You speak as though you'd known
him for some. time. Have YOU had
secrets from imer
II have!' laughter dimpIed in the
girls face. For years and years
When was in New York with father,
before the War. we met him he was
visiting in !. Newport Will, college
friends. Then, you know that father
and I were In France when the war
broke Out-father was III and almost
helpless at the time. you remember.
Gramont came to Paris to serve with
his regiment, and met US there. He
helped JUS get away, procured real
money Tor Us. got us passage to- New
York. g He knows lots Of our friends,
and I've always been. deeply grateful
to him for his assistance then.
We've corresponded quite frequent
~ during the war" she pursued. II
mentioned him several times after we
got home from France. but you prob
ably failed to notice the name. It's
only since he came to New Orleans
that really kept any secrets from
you; this time wanted to find out
If you liked him" r. y e.:
. joachim nodded slowly. His face was
quite innocent Of expression.
Eyes, yes" he said. "Yes-of course
He's a geologist or engineer, I think?"
Both, and good one. Well, about
last night-he probably guessed at
some of my private affairs; I've writ
ten or spoken rather frankly, perhaps.
Also, Bob may have blabbed to him.
Bob still drinks-prohibition has not
hit him very ,hard!" ,,.,..' g..
NO." agreed Fell, gravely. "Unfor-
tunately, no. Lucie. I've discovered a
most important fact. Joseph Maillard
did not own any stock IN the Bayou
OIL company at the tine your land
was sold them by him, and he had no
interest at all In the real estate con-
cern that bought your. St. Landry
swamp lands and made a fortune of
them. We have really blamed him
most unjustly. I do not believe that
he has profited in the least from you.
His investments In the companies con-
cerned were made afterward, and I
am certain he sold the lands inno-
Gently" -
Lucie drew a deep breath. Z. =.
II am glad you have said this" she
returned simply. ITS been hard for
me to think that Uncle Joseph had
taken advantage Of me; I think that
he honestly likes me. as far as he
permits himself to like anyone"
He'd not loan you money on it,"
said Fell. Friendship isn't tangible
security with him." T.
"Well, who really did profit by my
loss? Anyone?" -. ~ ~
Fell's pale gray eyes twinkled, then
cleared in their usually wide inno-
cence. ~. .s -. .-.-&
my dear Lucie, Is there one person
in this world to whose faults Joseph
Maillard is deliberately blind-one
person to whom he would refuse moth.
ing, In whom he would pardon every
i thing, of whom he would never believe
any@evil reportT: - - : -, :.
aYou mean" Lucie drew q quick
breath-'BobT' =. ! -
:. Eyes, I mean Bob. That he has
proflted by your loss am not vet in
a position to say; but I suspect It.
When :: have finished with the
Masquer, I shall take up his trail"
joachim Fell rose 'Now I must be
oil, my dear. "Will you dine with us
tomorrow evening, Lucie? My mother
commanded me to bring you as soon
40 kOSSlD.S -~------- .