The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-12-02


Miss Darquese - Yvette Il love
you. VIII you marry me?
why, Bernie. you surprise me! I
never thought you would take our
friendship so seriously"
But l do. I've always loved you.
I've loved you since the first time
met you.
I'm sorry, Bernie. so sorry, that
you feel that way. l can never marry
you"
DO you-is it someone else? Par
don me; I've no right to ask thatf'
well, yes, there is someone else,"
she whispered.
I'll bet It's that good-fOr-nOthing
roommate Of mine; he"
mo. 1t isn't Homer. Bernie, will
you please tell me why you two boys
can't get along together? l think It's
shame!"
The following evening when the
boys returned to their room after din
ner they found two notes on the
threshold. The envelopes were Of the
same small, pink kind that they had
received once before. addressed in the
same familiar penmanship. Each
boys face was study as his eyes
scanned the sheet before him.
Both letters were worded alike, but
each thought the message was meant
for only himself:
Dear Homer (or Bernie): 1 should be
very glad to have you call at my house
have some news that will be Of great
interest to you.
Hoping to see you then. l am always
your sincere friend.
YvETTE DARQUESE.
Monday evening found two very
puzzled young men ascending the
steps of No. 1882 Governor road at
exactly Z 80. 1t was Bernard's dispO-
sition to ring the bell again as soon
as Homer's finger had left the button.
They both tried to enter the door at
the same time.
AS they entered the luxurious sit
ting room a soft, well-knOwn voice
welcomed them.
Good evening. boys; I'm SO glad
you have come"
She took them by the arm and led
them to soft-cushiOned divan d.
rectly in front Of the fireplace, where
log was cracking under the flames.
The three sat down, vette In the CEN
ter. They sat watching the fire for
fnxx &c, a
now and then like timid youngsters
look with admiration and amazement
at the daring heroine in movie serial.
Presently she spoke.
"Now. l have heard that you two
boys do lot Of your quarreling over
me. 1t hurts me very much to think
that l should come between you boys
and spoil such hours Of friendship as
you might enjoy together"
swell, Homer always"
"Sh! I'm not going to let either Of
you say a word till I am all through.
I asked you here tonight In order that
might straighten out some things
that 1 know are troubling you both.
First, I shall tell you that my name
is not Yvette Darquese! My name is
Gwendolin de FARCE"
"What?" gasped Homer.
"Huh!'' stammered Bernard.
Il am in the employ Of the French
secret service. Shortly before the war
broke out it was found that a certain
Gouchard, Henri Gouchard. had given
some valuable information concerning
the state Of affairs In France to the
enemy government, for which he re-
ceived q large sum Of money. When
the officials had tracked him to his
apartment in Paris they found he had
escaped to America.
"Having secured permission from
the United States government to ar
rest him in this country. in the name
Of France, they chose me for the mis-
sion. At times l became very dis
souraged, for found no trace OF him.
you know a week ago last night
there was an automobile accident not
far from here, and an unidentified
man was injured. Last Thursday |
was called out of my bed at four
O'Clock in the morning to go to the st.
AGNES hospital. This same man that
had been picked up by the side Of the
road after his car had gone over the
embankment had been delirious and
had spoken something about France.
The doctor in charge Immediately rec
oenized him, having seen his picture
IN newspapers and read his descrip-
ton. He telephoned to the police.
Then they sent for me. He died be-
fore / left. l Immediately cabled the
French government and they sent
word that I could return as soon as |
wished to France and-and my-hus-
band"
"YOur-whatY'
"YOur husbandT
Eyes. my husband. Don't you see
now why couldn't marry either Of
you boys? I couldn't even tell you
why until now. Now it's good-by, boys
for l shall sail early In the morning
for dear old France and-home!"
The boys left the house together
and walked down the street side by
side. Suddenly they spoke In unison.
and with the same expression in their
voices:
"She was the most wonderful girl
I ever knew"-and It was the first
time they ever agreed.
= = y-Y YAY TIT !" AID