Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-04-14


Il ahouId IKE a round VITA &Fy'
one," Norman declared enthusiast
cally.
The secretary strolled across to-
ward the man who was practicins
rnashie shots onto the last green, q
slim man with a slight but graceful
stoop, silver-gray hair and clean-cut,
weather-beaten features. He was
dressed in tweed golf-clothes Of Eng
lish fashion, and was attended by
his own manservant. who was carry
ing his clubs.
A few words Of introduction were
spoken, and we all made our way to
the first tee. The Frenchman, dis
covering that Norrnan's handicap
was tho same as his own. insisted
upon the latter taking the honor,
Norman drove an average ball
straight down the course-and then
came the great moment. Monsieur
Benisande glanced curiously at US
both, handed his cap to his servant,
swung his club and addressed the
ball. I gave a little cry. Norman
stood as though he were turned to
stone. In that moment we had both
recognized him. Unmoved, Michael
drove straight and far up the course,
and watched his ball for the length
Of its run. Afterward we three stood
and looked at one another upon the
tee. The secretary had disappeared
in the clubhouse; the caddies had
already started after the balls; we
were practically alone. 'av "a
I'VE thought that you were dead"
! gasped.
Michael sighed. -'''@
I took great pains to insure your
thinking so, he declared. 1T is my
misfortune to have run up against
the two people who were bound to
recognize me. Still, have had a
very pleasant four years"
rs 1t SO long?" l murmured, for
Norman seemed still incapable Of
speech.
-Four years and a few months"
Michael continued. ''I have a charm.
ing little villa, a converted farm
house-you can see it through the
trees there, a delightful garden-my
violets and carnations are famous;
and there are very few English
flowers which I have not managed
TO grow. l play a round Of golf
whenever l feel like 1t, and when
the wander.hunger comes, l vanish
up there into the Pyrenees. Antoine,
my servant, is a Basque and an &C.
complshed mountaineer. Today |
can follow him anywhere"
What are We going to do about
this?' Norman muttered. 'al"sis
That remains with you," Michael
replied.
WYE started to walk slowly to.
w ward where the two balls were
lying almost side by side. |
passed my arm through my hus
bands and looked into his face. 1t
was obvious that he perfectly well
realized the crisis with which he had
to deal. During the last four years
wonderful years they had been
we had spent scarcely more than a
month or two in London. We had
Travelled in Italy and Egypt, win,
tered twice in the south of France,
and the remainder of the time had
been devoted to Greyes Manor. /
had my two babies to look after,
and Norman his farms. The ties
which had bound him to his old pro,
fession had naturally Weakened yet
l knew now how his mind was work,
ing. Here, by his side, was a man
whom he had sworn to bring to jus,
tlce, a notorious criminal, a man
who by every code of ethics and
citizenship he ought promptly to de.
nounce. And / knew that for some
reason he hated the task almost as
much as hated it for him.
Michael" he said, you shat
have your change You know MI
duty. You know that / am a mar
who generally tries to do it. Yet. to
be candid with you, l have convic
ton that your career as a criminal
is over, and my personal inclination
is to leave you alone. We will let
Fate decide it. We are, as nearly
equal at this game as two men can
be. Fate made you my partner this
evening. l will play you this round
for your liberty and my silence"
1 saw Michael's eyes glitter, and I
knew that the idea appealed to him
He looked toward the green and
swung his cleek lightly backward
and forward.
Let US understand one another"
ne insisted. If l win, am free Of
you for the rest of my life. If
lose, am to face the end"
Continued in Our Next Tssuel