The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1922-07-20


t0nately, no. Lucie, I've discovered a
most important fact. Joseph Maillard
did not own any stock in the Bayou
OIL company at the time your land
was sold them by him, and he had no
Interest at all In the real estate con-
Germ 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 I'm the least from you.
His investments in the companies con
cerned were made afterward. and
am certain he sold the lands inno-
Gently"
Lucie drew a deep breath.
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; think that
he honestly likes me, as far as he
permits himself to like anyone"
He'd not loan you money on t."
said Fell. Friendship isn't a tangible
security with him."
well, who really did profit by my
loss? Anyone3"
Fell's pale gray eyes twinkled, then
cleared in their usually wide inno-
cence.
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.
thing, OF whom he would never believe
any evil reportf"
"You mean" Lucie drew a quick
breath-"Bob?
"Yes, mean Bob. That he has
profited by your loss am not yet In
position to say; but l suspect It.
When have finished with the
Masquer, shall take up his trail"
Jachin Fell rose. "Now must be
of. my dear. "will you dine with us
tomorrow evening, Lucie1 My mother
commanded me to bring you as soon
as possible"
"Oh, your mothery" exclaimed the
girl, contritely. 81 was so absorbed
in the Masquer that / forgot to ask
after her. How is she1'
"Qu;te as usual, thank you"
"I'll come tomorrow night gladly,
Uncle Jnchin."
"And wen take a look ut the Pro
teus ball afterward, II you like. Ill
send Ben Chacherre for you with the
car, II you're not afraid Of him."
I'm not exactly afraid Of him."
Lucie responded, soberly. but there
is something about him that I can't
like. Tn sorry that you're trying to
regenerate him, In a way"
Fell shrugged lightly. "AlI life is
an effort, little onel Well. goodby."
Jachln Fell left the house at three
forty Twenty minutes later the bell
rang again. Lucle sent one OF the
servants to admit Henry Gramont;
she kept him waiting n full fifteen
minutes before she appeared, and then
she made no apologies whatever for
the delay.
Not that Gramont minded waiting;
he deemed II privilege to llnger In
this house He loved to study the
place. so reflective OF its owner He
loved the white Colonial mantel that
surrounded the fireplace, perpetually
alIght, with Its cleaning sheen Of old
brasses. and the glItterlng fire-set to
one side. The very air OF the place,
the atmosphere that II breathed, was
sweet to him.
The Napoleon bed that filled the
bow window, with Its pillows and soft
coverings; the inlald walnut cabinet
made by Sheraton, with Its quantity
curved glasses that reflected the old
time curiOs within; the TIT tables. the
rosewood chairs the rugs, bought be-
fore the oriental rug market was
flooded with machlne-made SIENNA
knots-about- everything here had an
mir Of comfort, Of long use, OF restful-
ness. II was not the sort of place
built up. raw Item by raw item, by
the color-frenzied hands OF decorators
II was the sort OF place that decorn-
tors strive desperately TO initiate, and
cannot.
When she made her appearance.
GramOnt bent over her hand and ad-
dressed her in French.
"You are charming as ever, Shining
One And in years to come you viii
be still more charming. That Is the
beauty OF having name taken direct
from the classics and bestowed as a
good falry's gift"
"Thank you, monsieur - hut you
have translated my name at least
twenty times. and am weary of hear
ing IT," responded J.ucie, laughingly.
poor taste. mademoiselle, TO grow
weary Of such beautyl"
mot OF the name, but OF your exc
gesls upon II. Why should ! not be
dlspleased? Last night you were pos
ltlvely rude, and now you aecry my
tastel Did you leave all Y'ur man
ners in France NJ. lie PRIMER