Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-19
CHAPTER x.
MYSTERIOUS YSABEL.

III
tell Divitt thaN she was not MS
servant to be sent on any Of his
~ errands, mastered the suspicion
that this was a trap-as last
nights encounter might also have been
q trap The boat for Vera Cruz-had
Basara really taken it? Would he per-
haps be at the Stanard home when
she returned the necklace? She could
see no motive fer treachery on DlVitt S
part. Neither could she see any motive
for sending her on this errand Of lib
erty, as he called it.
AS for dealing honorably. there was
no other way. What would she DO With
freedom If she had it? Where would
she go? certainly net to the place she
had called home. She had no longer
the desire even to mail the letter she
had begun.
What could that letter have done but
compromise the one who received it2
No. Divitt might send her any,
where with safety She asked only that
he should not send her into a trap.
Could IL be that some sense of
pity has come to him?
TRY me, senor,' she said i shall
OF course wear my veil" Divitt en-
sWered. Did you think We were going
TO send you out in your Fat-ma regalia?
No, senorita, you'll wear what any lady
would wear. But no wells.
Il may 60 at night?
you will go at 4 this afternoon. But
you will travel in closed car and you
may pull down the shades if you like.
Does it never occur to you, senorita,
that New Orleans Is a long way from
the Argentine? And on this occasion
you will not be Juanita Basara, as you
have said to me- you are, buU-let US
say-Senorita Ysabel Flores Of Spain
Seville to be exact. stopping at the Ho-
tel Tiion. have had some cards en-
graved for you"
Divitt regarded Juanita thoughtfuly.
1T happens. Senorita Flores. that as
you we're turning into Royal street last
night-or very early this mornlng-you
saw something shining on the sidewalk,
and bidding your chauffeur pick it up,
discovered that it was necklace of
value This morning, looking in the pa
per for some clue to its ownership. you
found this advertisement. You would
not intrust it to any other hands for
delivery. The reward? Surely they are
not speaking Of rewards to Senorita
Flores OF Seville!"
1T is deception said Juanita in q
low voice
Divitt smiled now. Il presume the
Fatima costume is not" he remarked.
Nor the name you pass under here.
Never mind, senorita." as if she might
protest What you desire is a veil.
sara, perhaps.
so also the name Ysabel Flores. and
her personality, which you are at liber-
ty to make as delightful as you please.
There are a few diversions that 1 can
give you, my social position in New
Orleans not furnishing the ideal back
ground. Yet diversions and contacts, OF
the type to which you are obviously &C
cuStomed. are what you must have-or
our yelled lady will cease to lure.
"One thing, however. it will be well
FOR you to remember, and that is that
your arrest will not occur as the result
of some casual discovery. It will come
only should the police be tipped off as to
the rest of us. or should I turn you over
to the authorities. This errand of trust
is simple. There is no danger in it
unless you care to inject some
1t was not necessary to tell him that
she would go. Divitt had already turned
to his desk.
Molly came at 3, bringing some
dresses from which Juanita might
choose. Molly prattled bravely, holding
the dresses up for Juanita's inspection.
This chestnut crepe with the en-
broidery on the pockes. And this black
satin with the white. bertha--that's
rich, honey. Or this chiffon velvet-a
little dressy. wouldn't you say for just
a call? And here's a black georgette
coat that will 60 with anything-that's
Gabreau with the hats Put them down,
Gabreau. and shut the door"
Juanita tried on the dresses. select
Ing the black satin Molly hung the
other dresses in the armcire.
We'll keep them" she explained.
"Once you get in the best houses
Here! Id almost forgotten the pearls
for your neck. And bit of lipstick-
just bit. Now you're ready. A grand
lady going for call Watt We mustn't
forget your .raisin date That's French
for reason you're there" And Molly
dropping 1t into a little silk purse.
Your cards are in there, too" she
added "All right honey. All set?"
Juantta followed her down the stair
and to the little gate that opened on
the patio of the Hotel Tijon, waiting
there while Molly went to her room
and returned with the key. The shady
Tijon patio was set with tables around
which groups Of girls IN bright dresses
chatted under the gay umbrella avn
1ngs.
Molly and Juanita crossed the worn
nagstones to the veranda, entering a
back hallway, and thence to the
Divitt came toward them, and Molly
disappeared
Good afternoon. senorita." Divitt
spoke obsequiously and audibly. Your
car is here" And he bowed Juanita
out the door to the long blue limousine
shining at the curb. The Tijon door
man opened the door. Divitt bowed
and Juanita was moving through a lane
OF little shops and into Canal street.
Here were great stores, traffic of sur
face cars and automobiles, pedestrians
IN droves. Bright bunting hung below
the windows: The lamp posts we're
t:lrlanded with flowers Juanita cid
not know it, but this was the eve of
Mardi Gras. when New Orleans puts on
her trinkets for the stranger.
Juanita relaxed among the cushions.
Here in the soft sunlight amid the I'M
needing crowds, she lost the last doubt
regarding her errand. The necklace
had been lost. Divitt was permitting
her to return it. Perhaps she need tell
no tale regarding her own finding of
the necklace. Perhaps no questions
would be asked.
The car had entered wide street
bordered with tall palm trees and
houses set in lowered lawns. Here at
her left was park and great oaks
hung with moss
columned house, passed up drive be-
tween magnolia trees, stopped in the
shelter of a porte cochere. The c1auf-
feur alighted. touched the bell Then
he turned and looked at Juanita.
1t was Umberto, Umberto looking
pale and somewhat haggard. Again
doubt and fear. To what place had
Umberto brought her? The door
had opened, and an old Negro in
white coat spoke with Umberto. Mrs
Belaise was i'll, he said. Mr.. Stanard
was at home. The dark, benign old
face, the glimpse of pleasant interior,
treasured Juanita.
Limousine and Juanita stepped out. fcl-
lowing the old Negro thronol, a din,