Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1925-01-01

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CHAPTER Ix-cOnsinued

lounge OF the heteI. Within the fiml
promised, Transformed Monsieur
xubln made his appearance. Gesals
found Il difficult to restrain his sur
prise. His dinner suit was Faultless
" cut. bis black pearl studs were
marvellous He had been CAREFUL,
shaved and his hair had been trimmed
ne carried white Kid gloves in hi
band. glossy silk hat. and malac
ca cane CROWNED with malaehlte. He
came over at once TO Gerald and
signed TO waiter who was towering
shout with a bottle upon a tray.
''You win give me three minutes,
Ne legged. t''T was interested In a
eeries Of numbers. and forgot to
dine. ] have ordered = bottle. OF
wine. You win perhaps join me"
:. very good Of you Gerald replied.
1T is rather between times for me.
IN have a nne champagne. II may. .
Monsieur znbin bowed gravely and
2he brandy was brought. Without
turning a hair. be drank two rum
'blerfuls OF the wine. Then he turned
c0urteously TO his companion.
~If you have no objection ne pro-
posed. eve viii walk outside 10 the
sporting club. The distance Is the
same and the air Is freshers" .sg.s q.
Gerald assenfed readily. and they
started or side by side. The Russian
MAS walking with his shoulders hack.
like a man on parade, and Gerald sud-
denly felt that his own stature had
become insignificant. All the way his
colnpanion seemed to be reciting to
himself in some foreign tongue, reclf-
gng something which now and fken
seemed to have the swing OF bIsnk
verse AS they reached the steps
which led up TO the Sporting cub he
came to full stop and glanced
around.
young man." he said. facing Ger
aid, you are probably . little curious
about me. This is the truth. Let
those know II who may be interested.
am the steward Of Madame de
PonIere and the trustee OF as much
as lie left OF her revenues came
here ashamed Of their scantIness. and
the Wild idea OF enlarging them at
the tables occurred to me / hsve
failed There Is a voiture here. You
see, by my side. and the commiss'on-
aife is there TO help you. apologize
for the trouble am giving. charge
you TO deliver the expression Of my
uEdyiag devotion to Madame and
Mademoiselle. -
His right hand. which had been
fumbllng In the pocket Of his dinner
coat. shot out like lightning. small
revolver flashing In the electric light.
was pressed to his temple. There
were two almost simultaneous repafs
Rumors were already floating about
the club when Gerald hurried In. five /
minutes later Both women looked
at him 10 haIf-fearful Inquiry. Ger
aid was very grave
Madame" he announced. I bring
bad news''
Madame unfurled her black lace fan
and famed herself slowly.
zone hears that a man has shot
himself outside she said. st Is.
perhaps, the man whom sent you to
seekY''
1T is he" Gerald acknowledged
Madame de Poniere rose 10 her feet.
She was an ugly woman whom. up tod
that moment Gerald had detesfed He
found himself now admiring. her pro
foundry. She leaned q little mpon the
stick which she carried Ia her left
hand Her right she extended to-
wards Gerald
III you win give me the support Of
Four arm downstairs. Lord Dombey,
shall be glad" she continued. Il
I'm an old woman and these shocks
'ecome more poignant with the years.
subin was a faithful servant OF my
louse I am affected"
They made their slow progress
rom the room. Madame held her
lead high. MademoiselIe was little
,aler than usual. but her good night
o the commIsslonaire was as clear /
no gracfons as ever No signs Of
ny disturbance remained outside -
aonte Carlo knew how to deal with
hese things Their automobile was {
lready In attendance. and fhe two :
Tomen took their places at once. 9
we are much obliged for your rs 6
Isfance. Lord DOmbey. madame de- B
Jared Il regret that we should have b
lven Jon % trzgfcal an errnnd. =
'You win permit me to cali. perhaps. y
/ the viIlar Gerald begged. r