The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-08-16

She had come to the foot Of the
wide, old-fashioned stairway that led
to the floors above, and beside her had
suddenly appeared Franciscan monk,
cowled and gowned in sober brown
from head to foot.
You frightened me. holy man" she
cried, gaily. Confess to you, indeed!
Net t.. ~-'- 49,. ..
"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 ut the gate. tarry
a moment with this man of VOWS"
"Shrive me quickly. them" she said.
| laughing. Civ s&+E,r4s
| "Now. without confession? Would
you have me read your thoughts and
! give penance?' y -
IF you can do that. holy man, may
confess; so prove it quickly"
| The Franciscan leaned forward. His
voice came low, distinct, clear-cut, and
/ he spoke in the French which Lucie
understood Us another mother-tongue,
as do most Of the older families Of
| New Orleans.
/ "See how I read them, mademoi-
selle! One thought is of uneasy sus-
picion: 1t Is typified by hard-lipped,
grasping man. One thought Is Of pro-
found regret: It Is typffied by darkly
yelling stream OF all. =. One .thcpghtT".
| Suddenly Lucie had shrunk away
from him. "Who-who are your" she
breathed. with n gasp that WIS almost
of fear. "Who are you, monsieurs
"A humble brother of minor ORDERS"
and he bowed. "Shall not continue
with my reading? The third. mademoi-
selle. is one Of hope; 1t is typified by
small man who is dressed all In
gray"
Lucie turned away from him quickly.
II think that you have made some
grave error, monsieur she said. Her
voice was cold, charged with dismissal
and offended dignity. II pray you. ex-
cuse me-" S''i 81,
Not waiting any response, she has.
tily ran up the stairs After her, for
moment. gazed the Franciscan. then
shrugged his wide shoulders and
plunged into the crowd. ..r.'..
While she danced, while she chat
tered and laughed and entered into the
mad gaiety Of the evening, Lucie Lee
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 other
barely suspected? There was no proof,
Of course; the very breath Of suspi-
cion seemed calumny against an up
right man!
Joseph Maillard had sold that Terre-
bonnie land six months, before any gas
| or. oil had been discovered there, and
eight months before Lufie had come
into the management OF her own at
| fairs. He 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.
N Lucio str0ve angrily to Danish the
| dark thoughts from her minds Why.
Maillari was rich nan. Q banker, IN
honorable gentleman! To DOUBT his
honor, although he was harsh and
a stern man, was impossible. Lucie
knew him better than most, and could
1 not believe 1'>. 4f...
"May crave pardon for my errorT'
came a voice at her elbow. She turned,
to see the Franciscan again beside
her. "With a thousand apologies for
tmpertfnence, mademoiselle; l am very
sorry for my faults. viii not that
admission obtain for me one little
dance. one. hint Of. forgiveness from
s o. T.. = \