St. Tammany farmer., 1922-08-26

~o~0~~~~o~>o-oo e~Noo1-.-~0o~@
helped us get away, procured real
money for us, got us passage to New
York. 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 81
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 Opleans
that really kept any secrets from
you; this time / wanted to find out
II you liked him."
Jachtn nodded slowly. His face was
quite innocent of expression.
"Yes, yes" he said. "Yes-of course
He's a geologist or engineer, I think p
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 blabbcd to him.
Bob still drinks-prohibitlon has not
hit him very -hard!" =..-s
NO" agreed Fell, gravely. "Unfor-
tunateiy, no. Lucie, I've discovered a
most important fact. Joseph MailIard
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 oil in the real estate con-
Germ that bought your st. Landry
swamp lands and made fortune Oft
them. We have really blamed him
most unjustly. | do not believe that
he has proflted In the least from YOU.
His investments In the companies CON
c@ned were made afterward and I
am certain he sold the lands inno-
Gently"
Lucie drew deep breath.
Il 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 It,"
said Fell. Friendship isn't tangible
security with him.
"Well, who really did profit by my
loss? Anyone?"
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 nothz
Ing, In whom he would pardon every
thing, Of whom he would never believe
any evil report7''
"You mean" Lucie drew a quick
Yes, l mean Bob. That he has
profited by your loss I am not yet in
I position to say; but I suspect It.
When I have finished with the
Masquer, shall take up his TRAIL"
Jachin Fell rose. snow must be
IF, my dear. "Will you dine with us
tomorrow evening, Lucie7 My mother
commanded me to bring you as soon
Is possible
"Oh, your mother!" exclaimed the
girl, contritely II was so absorbed
n the Masquer that forgot to ask
lfter her. How is she7"
"Quite as usual. thank you"
''I'll come tomorrow night gladly.
Jncle Jachin"
"And We'll take look at the Pro
eus ball afterward, If you like. Til /
end Ben Chacherre for you with the
ar, If you're not afraid of him.
I'm not exactly afraid of him."
4ucie responded. soberIy, "but there
8 something about him that can't
Ike. I'm sorry that you're trying to
egenerate him, in way"
Fell shrugged lightly. "All life is
n effort, little one! Well, goodby."
Jachin Fell left the house at three
orty Twenty minutes later the bell
ang again. Lucie sent one of the
ervants to admit Henry Gramont;
he kept him waiting full fifteen
1inutes before she appeared, and then
he made no apologies whatever for.
he delay.
Not that Grnmont minded waiting:
e deemed 1t a privilege to linger in
his house. He loved to study the L
lace, so reflective of its owner. He
Dyed the white Colonial mantel that
the t1rpplace perpetunlly
light, with its g!p,niing sheen of ole
rasst.s and the rtiuerin. tirc-sa, 1.
1e side. The very air OF the rIace,
lie ntmosn'scre that it lreathed was
veet to him.
The Nalmltt,n he'd that filled the
'W window. with its pillows and soft
'verings: the inlaid walnut cabinet
ade ny Sheraton. with its quantity