White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1922-05-28

New Orleans carnival season joachim Fell,
wealthy though somewhat mysterious cit
lien, and DIR. Ansley, are discussing a
series Of robberies by an individual known
as the Midnight Masquer. who. Invariably
attired as an aviator, has long deied the
police. Joseph Maillard. wealthy banker.
10 giving a ball that night. at which the
Masquer has threatened to appear and
rob the guests: Fell and Ansley. on their
way TO the affair, meet a girl dressed as
Colum bine, seemingly known 10 Fell, but
masked. who accompanies them TO the
ball.
CHAPTER II.-Lueie Ledanois. recent
ly the ward of her uncle. Joseph Mall
lard. 10 the Columbine.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
Neither has Uncle Joseph" she re-
hected, smiling to herself. "and neither
have ]! So we're all agreed. except
Bob"
"Columblne p A hand fell upon her
wrist. "Columbine. Turn and confess
thy sins !"
She had come to the foot of the
wide, old-fashloned stairway that led
10 the floors above. and beside her had
suddenly appeared a Franciscan monk.
cowled and gowned In sober brown
from head TO foot.
You frightened me, holy man !" she
cried, gaily. Confess to you, indeed !
Not l."
Never a better chance. butterfly of
the world. Haste not to the dance,
fair sister-tarry a while and invite
the soul in speech Of import Having
passed the dragon at the gate. tarry
a moment with this man of VOWS"
"Shrlve me quickly, them she said.
laughing.
Now, without confessloni Would
you have me read your thoughts and
give penancef"
IF you can do that, holy man, I may
confess; Sc prove 1t quickly y
The Franciscan leaned forward. His
voice came low, distinct. ~clear-cut, and
he spoke in the French which Lucie
understood as another mother-tongue,
ns do most u the older families OF
New Orleans.
'See how l read them. mademol-
selle! One thought Is of uneasy sus-
picion II Is typifed by q hard-1ipped,
grasplng man. One thought Is of pro-
found regret II Is typified by a darkly
welling stream of oil. One thought
Suddenly Lucie had shrunk away
from him. "who-who are your she
breathed, with a gasp that was almost
OF fear. "Who are you, monsieur
"A humble brother of minor orders"
and lie bowed. "Shall l not continue
with my readingf The third, mademoi-
selle, is one of hope II Is typiied by a
small man who is dressed all In
gray"
Lucie turned away from him quickly.
Il think that you ave made some
grave error, monsieur" she said. Her
voice was cold, charged with dismissal
and offended dignity. II pray you, ex-
use me-"
Not waiting any response, she has
tIly ran up the stairs. After her, for
a 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 galety of the evening, Lucie Le-
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 ether
barely suspectedf There was no proof,
OF course: the very breath of suspi-
clon seemed IA calumny against nm up
right man!
Joseph Maillard had sold that Terre-
bonne land six months before any gas
or oil had peer 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 1t was a case only
OF bad Judgment. Yet. individually, he
was now a shareholder and officer In
the Bayou oil company, the concern
which had bought that strip of land.
Lucie strove angrily 10 Danish the
dark thoughts from her mind. Why,
Maillard was n rich man, a banker, an
honorable gentleman To doubt his
honor, although he was n harsh aud
a stern man, was impossible. Lueie
knew him better than most, and could
not believe
"May I crave pardon for my errorT'
came a voice at her elbow. She turned,
20 see the Franciscan again beside
her. with q thousand apologies for
tmpertlnence, mademoiselle | am very
sorry for my faults. Will not that
admission obtain for me n little
dance, one hint of forgiveness from
fair Columbinef"
Something In his voice spelt SIN
cerity. Lucie. smiling, held out her
hand.
you are pardoned. holy man. II
you can dance In that friar's robe,
then try itr'
Could he dance. indeed! Who could
not dance with Columbine for partnerf
So saying. the monk proved his word
by the deed and proved 1t well. Nor
did he again hint that he had recog-