The Bismarck tribune., 1931-11-21
@NY BY Ma l1aoe inc

spoken, she knew the Jig would be
up. De Iona would never believe
that was accidental.
Bates, who had been smoking
and idly looking out over the har.
Dor, now shifted lazily in his chair.
"Oh, is La Mosca your horse?" hs
grunted affably as IL just becoming
aware Of the conversation.
De Iona looked from Bruce to
Bates and back again. He was taut
an spring, Mary could see-suspi.
cious. She could hear the beating
Of her own heart in the tense ST.
lence.
"She was," De Iona answered.
after a moments hesitation.
you've sold her thsn?" Bates
spoke casually, apparently without
interest.
"She has been shot," Dc Iona
snapped. Everyone at the table
stared at him, surprised out Of the
roles they were playing. At the
horror in their faces, De Iona
caught himself up quickly.
"The injury" he explained suavs.
ly. made it necessary"
There was 4 concerted exhaling
Of breaths. Mary looked into her
plate. not, daring to lift her hot
eyes to the mans face. Yes, what
he said was the truth: but It was
not the injury sustained on the
track that had made death welcome
to the courageous little animal!
She had taken . bad tumble but
she had struggled to her feet again
and ran tho race out, game to the
core. And she had not even
limped! No, what had made It
necessary to shoot her was what
happened later, in tho paddock,
Mary knew. DE Iona kicked hell
out Of her" She had been killed
purely out Of revenge, to satisfy
the mans murderous fury at the
horse for letting him down."
The others. however, were no.
ticeably relieved at Dc Loma's ex.
PLANTATION. When she could trust
herself to look up Mary surprised
= look Of intent speculation on the
other woman's face a. she studied
De Iona under sleepy lids.
"She must have cost you Z good
bit today. eh?" the throaty voice
murmured.
'"Too much!" De Iona gritted.
! Out. Of the corner Of her eye
Mary thought she saw q dark.
visaged man who had been hover.
ing about the door beckcn to Do
> Iona just then. but she could not
be sure. She looked about casually
but the man had turned his hack.
He seemed to be poring over some.
thing he held In his hand Then
: he put something In his vest pocket
perhaps = fountain pen.
De Iona had risen to 90 and she
} did not want to stare.
NJ I'VE will SEQ you again." the
Countess asked.
De Loma's Jaw. shut like trap.
. Il must 90 now" he replied, his
!. eyes on the man In tho doorway.
;. "Some business matters. win SEQ
Q you later"
r He came round the table and
d stared down at Mary, unsmiling.
l.l Il shall hope to dance with you
l. again." he said politely.
II THANK you. Shall you be at the
fete?" Mary put all the invitation
at her command into the look she
sent straight into the black, in
It scrutable eyes. For an instant she
b went hot and cold with fear that
q she had done It too crudely. That
b "come-hither" look had been faI
n too bald-if the man had any sense
he would be disguised.
1, She could not know. however
le what Dc Iona read In the blush o1
it. lovely confusion that overspreat
10 her cheeks. He was human and b,
& was vain. He brought his heels to
n gether end made her Z 1auuty bow
d 'That's a date!" he said. II shall
y bs there!"
10 (To Be Continued)