Newspaper Page Text
m Lambert
Mystery.
✓ By MRS. ALEXANDER. ,
gggjjg£ CHAPTER 111. / 6.
Continued.
"I Uke a certain Intereat In It, and
I thought you did." He paused, lit
a cigar, and then Bald abruptly:
•'Vincent telle me you know Mlae
Lambert’* father; In fact, that you
are frequently hl favored guest. How
doea it happen that auch a girl can
be the outcome of a society of bour
geois and sharpers? You muat pre
sent me to this father when he ap
pear*; 1 ahould prefer your sponsor
ablp to Vlncfflt’a."
4 “Why do ft>b want to know a eet of
people ao Completely out of your
llnet”
"I have a motive; not a very high
one, I confess, but sufficiently power
ful —curiosity. I want to find out
something about Mlaa Lambert’* peo
ple and hlatory, for I am certain I
knew a relative of hers many years
ago.”
"Well, you had better fall back on
your sporting acquaintance for an In
troduction; he la more intimate with
Captain Lambert than I am.”
"Ha! you refuse to be responsible
for roe? That’s deucedly shabby!
8o he calls himself captain? He Is
rather a queer fish, Isn't he?”
"That depends on our respective
ideas touching queer fish. He is not
a highly polished, courtly gentleman,
but he I* not a bad fellow, and he Is
devoted to his daughter.”
"Indeed! Well. Olynn, I believe
you have seen a good deal of the
world, and It Is pleasant to find that
bo much faith In your fellow-crea
tures survives the experience.”
"Eaith Is certainly a more agree
able sensation than doubt,” returned
Olynn, unmoved. "By the way, I
quite forgot I had an engagement
this evening. I am late already;
there Is a fiacre.” He hailed It.
"Will you drive with me, Deerlng?”
"No, thank you; I shall enjoy my
weed and a stroll, so good-night. I’ll
look you up to-morrow or next day."
"Cprloslty,” murmured Olynn, as
be rolled away toward Paris. “Is It
[only curiosity? I wonder who Elsie's
'mother was? It seems too bad that
any unholy mystery should hang
round so sweet and frank u creature.”
jAnd recalling the beautiful eyes
which had lookod up Into his with
dear unconsciousness and unhesltat
jlog trust Olynn closed his own and
gave himself up to some delightful,
though disquieting, reflections.
"What Infernal bad luck!” thought
.Deerlng, ns he lit his cigar viciously,
'vl did not dream of meeting that fel
low. I never reckoned on such an
obstacle. However, cost what It may,
I’ll get to the bottom of her parent
age and history. If my suspicions are
•right, I must get rid of her or bind
.her to me Indissolubly; and the last
be the pleasanter process,
here Is a wonderful charm about
er, and yet at times I can catch
traces of him, too! I wonder who
this father of hers Is? I must get
,at him. I wish I hadn't been obliged
to send that cad Vincent to the right
about so shortly, just to keep up ap
pearances. It Is double-distilled bad
luck to have that fellow Glynn here.
But If ho thinks he Is going to make
all tho running with Miss Lambert he
Is considerably mistaken. She Is
lovely—so lovely that I almost for
give her for existing.”
Glynn waited Impatiently for the
moment when he could present him
self at Madame Davtlliers' weekly re
ception. Tho reasons why he must
remain In Paris multiplied. He could
not leave Elsie until her father re
turned, and then he must stay until
tgot some clue to Deerlng's
ernes. That there was mischief
brewing he felt convinced. ludoed,
bo was inclined to believe that Deer
log did not Intend giving his real
name when Vincent Introduced him
to Madame Davlllters and her friends,
but perceiving Glynn, he had prob
ably changed his Intentions, and tele
graphed accordingly to his associate.
Still, considering that Deerlng boro
a fair character. It was highly Im
probable he would be gutlty of any
avert baseness.
On reaching Madame Davllliers’,
Glynn found about half a doxen inti
mates already assembled. Monsieur's
parties at whist had been made up In
a small side room, and In the salon
Mademoiselle Antoinette and Elsie,
assisted by the singing master, were
performing a trio. Glynn waited till
this was over to make his bow to the
lady of tho house, enjoying from tho
corner where he had stationed hlm
eelf an uninterrupted view of Elsie's
face, which had the rapt, faraway
look It always wore when she was
singing. How sweet nnd noble her
expression was. No, ho would not
leave her, unless he felt sure she was
safe and her father forewarned. The
trio ended, young Le Clerc pressed
forward with animated thanks. Then
Elsie looked round, as if seeking
someone; when her eyes mot Glynn’s
a bright, happy smile sparkled over
her countenance, nnd she made a
movement as If to go to him. He
was soon at her side.
"You have some pleasant news, I
am sure?” he said, as ht took her
hand.
"I have Indeed. My father has re
turned; he will be here presently,
hnd he looks so well. He Is so re-
freshed by the sight of the sea that
he says he will take me to Brittany,
when It grows too hot In Paris."
“You will enjoy Brittany," said
Glynn's voice mechanically, while the
real man was thinking what a heaven
It would be were he alone with her
In Brittany, or Beunos Ayres, or Bot
any Bay, or any other spot on earth,
provided they were together, away
from every one else. The next In
stant he was reproaching himself for
his weakness, his folly.
"I believe the scenery Is very fine,”
Elsie was beginning when she was In
terrupted by the words, “Good even
ing, Miss Lambert.” Giynn had been
so absorbed In her that he had not
noticed the approachof Deerlng, until
he spoke. Elsie turned to him, still
composed and smiling, without any
trace of the nervous dread which she
had evinced at their meeting.
“I am In a strange land here," said
Deerlng, when they had exchanged
greetings, “so I claim your protec
tion; you must be my guide, philoso
pher and friend.” He drew a chair
forward as he spoke, and Elsie sat
down. “Are you a frequent attend
ant at these soirees, Glynn?” he
asked, after having bestowed a nod
on his countryman. "You are cer
tainly fonder of Innocent amusements
here than In London!"
“It appears that Paris produces tho
same effect upon us both," returned
Glynn fcoolly.
“Monsieur Glynn,’ l said Madame
Davllliers, sailing up, “will you come
and speak to my old friend, M. Lo
Colonel Dubois? He Is a most Inter
esting person! He fought at Water
loo In the first year of his service,
aad Is all the fonder of your nation
because they were gallant foes.”
So Glynn was carried off, to his
great annoyance, Just as Deerlng took
a seat beside Elsie, and seemed to
settle himself for a long talk.
M. Le Colonel Dubois did not find
tho moat attentive listener In Glynn,
and was not sorry when the host
came to pay his compliments to the
octogenarian, and permitted his Eng
lish guest to escape. Olynn strolled
into the next room, and found Miss
Lambert still conversing with Deer
lng, with an air of Interest, too, that
surprised him. He did not attempt
to Interrupt them, but stood watching
an opportunity of begging Madame
Davalllers to ask Miss Lambert for
another song. From his position
near the portlerres between the two
rooms he could see the door leading
to the vestibule. While he looked It
opened, and Lambert came In—Lam
bert In a gorgeous colored waistcoat
and a bright necktie, for evening
dress was not Indispensable at Mad
alne Davllliers' receptions. There
was a joyous twinkle in his eye, an ir
repressible air of success In his bear
ing. He saluted madame with much
warmth, and then looked round U;o
room 88 If seeking his “Jewel." Sud
denly an extraordinary change passed
over his face. The laughing. Joyous,
humorous look vanished, and was re
placed by a fierce, startled, angry
glare,- like a wild creature suddenly
roused to apprehansion and defiance,
as if, through the thin, smooth coat
ing of lately acquired domesticity,
the savage nature of the untamed
desperado bad broken forth all the
more vehemently for Its temporary
slumber. Glynn saw that his eyes
were fixed on Deerlng, who was smil
ing and betidfng forward as he spoke
to Elsie. She did not heed him, for
she hnd caught sight of her father,
nnd Deerlng. Btruck by her expres
sion, turned to see what had attracted
her. Then his face changed, too, his
Jaw closed with a look of frigid de
termination. his steel-blue eyes lit up
with a (lash of angry recognition. By
an Involuntary impulse Glynu started
forward to greet Lambert with a
vague intention to assist him in re
covering his self-control—to aid El
sie's father in any way ho could.
“Glynn,” said Lambert, gripping
his hand hard, “who —who is that
man—alttlng there—by my daugh
ter?”
“He Is Deerlng of Denham. Do you
object to him?”
“No; why should I? Only I knew
a Deerlng once—not a clean potato,
by any means! This may not be the
same—Ah, Elsie, my child! Come
here, keep by me.”
“What Is the matter, dear? You
are not like yourself," she exclaimed,
as she came up and passed her arm
through his.
"Not like myself? You are wrong
there.” a sort of effort,
he went straight up to Deerlng. and
said audibly, in English: We have
met before, sir. have wo not?"
Deerlng, who was considerably the
taller, looked down on him from the
Ineffable heights of his social superi
ority, nnd replied deliberately:
“I have certainly had the pleasure
of your acquaintance, some years
ago.”
Then they stood silent, eye to eye
—silent, yet exchanging deadly de
fiance. Deerlng, the most self-pos
sessed of the two, was the first to
speak:
“I fancy we have seen some
changes since we met. Paris is not
a bad place to anchor in after a wan
dering life, especially when one has
so charming a companion as^aiiss
Lambeti,” adding the name after a
slight pause.
"How do you know my daughter?”
abruptly. ?
"Your friend, Mr. Vincent, was
good enough to present me," said
Deerlng, calmly, with some emphasis
on the name.
"My father seems to have found
another acquaintance,” said Elsie to
Glynn. "It Is curious.”
Glynn scarce knew what to say. It
was probably that Deerlng had known
Lambert by some other name, known
him under more doubtful circum
stances than even he (Olynn) had.
The Idea stung him with a sense of
angry pain. Deerlng was the last
man to be trusted with such knowl
edge.
"Mr. Deerlng has been telling me
about the lady of whom I remind
him." resumed Miss Lambert. “She
must have been very sweet and very
charming, but most unhappy; her
husband was murdered. I waa inter
ested, but I hope the likeness is not
an evil omen.”
“Impossible,” cried Olynn. "Do
not think of omens. Here comes
Madame Davllliers to ask you to sing;
pray do not’refuse.”
While he spoke with Miss Lambert.
Glynn noticed that her father and
Deerlng exchanged a few sentences
In a low tone, and that Lambert, al
though he had completely mastered
his temporary disturbance, had by no
means recovered his spirits. A look
of care and thought clouded his brow,
though he spoke with some anima
tion to one or two acquaintances.
Deerlng, on the contrary, looked su
premely calm, with something of ex
ultation In his cold, light eyes.
"Miss Lambert sings well,” he said.
“I am go great judge of music, nor
do I care for It, yet I should Imagine
that such a voice, such a style, ought
to be worth a good deal of money.”
”1 don’t Intend her to sell her
songs,” said Lambert, roughly. "And
now. Madame Davllliers, I’ll wish you
good-night. I'm a bit tired after my
Journey. Elsie, get your hat. I'll
take her home with me to-night, mad
ame, with a thousand thanks for your
good care.”
Elsie rose from the piano, and cast
an anxious look on her father. Then
she gav* her hand to Glynn, bowed to
Deerlng. presented her brow to mad*
arae's kiss, and, slipping her arm
through Antoinette's, left the room.
"Let me see you soon," said Lam
bert to Glynn. "You do not return
to London Just yet?”
"Not this week, at least.”
“Suppose you breakfast with me
to-morrow, Captain Lambert," said
Deerlng. “We'll smoke the pipe of
peace, and talk over our adventures
by flood and field."
I
"Thank you," shortly, "I never
breakfast away from home."
"Oh, Indeed! Then I shall rail on
you, and pay my respects to Miss
Lambert at the same time," returned
Deerlng In a tone of Imperttirable
good breeding:.
Lambert, who was making his
adfeux to Madame Davilllers, did not
seem to hear, but before he reached
the door he turned quickly back, and
said In a constrained tono to Deer
ing:
"I cannot breakfast with you, but I
will call at your hotel to-morrow
morning at 10.30."
"That Is wiser,” said Deerlng, with
quiet superiority.
Glynn was greatly struck by the
significance of these words. What
hold had Deerlng over the wandering
adventurer, who seemed ns far re
moved from the haughty English
gentleman as the east is from the
west!
He walked home revolving this
question and others. Every day in*
creased the fascination which Lam
bert's daughter unconsciously exer
cfbed over him; every day showed
more and more clearly the unsuita
bility, nay, from a common sense
point of view, the Impossibility of al
lying hltnself with so doubtful a char
acter as poor Lambert.
On reaching his hotel the concierge
handed him several letters, and when
safe within his own room he opened
them. One proved to be from his
firm of business, which compelled hla
Immediate return to London.
He had seldom been so annoyed
and irritated as by this unavoidable
necessity to quit the scene of the mys
terious drama which Interested him
so intensely. Ho might bo prudent
enough, mean enough, to shrink from
linking himself for life with a crea
ture who was probably too good for
him. but he would not desert Lam
bert In a difficulty. He would return
as soon as possible and see him clear
of Deerlng. Seizing his pen he wrote
a hasty line to the effect that he was
obliged to run over to London for a
week, but would return without fall,
adding his private address. When
this had been sealed, stamped and di
rected to Lambert, he rang and or
dered his bill and a very early cup
of coffee next morning.
‘ The first train for Calais leaves at
7 in the morning." said the waiter.
"There is an earlier one about 5, I
think, by the Dieppe route, but you
gain no time, for the trajet is longer."
"Of course I will go by Calais," re
turned Glynn. "Do not fail to call
me in good time.”
To be Continued.
New Use For Cocaine.
In his charge to the Warren Coun
ty Grand Jury Judge Kush drew at
tention to the alleged "doping” with
cocaino of roustabouts by steamboat
mates. The Judge stated- that it had
come to his ears that the mates car
ried a supply of the deadly drug,
which they gave to the negroes in
liberal doses. When stimulated by
the drug the capacity for work is
greatly increased, but by the time the
trip is ended he is a physical and
mental wreck. —Mobile Register.
A GREAT
REDUCTION PRICE
IN
CLOTHING
AT
J. Tom Smith’s,
Maysville, Ga.
When in market this fall I purchased two large bills
of Clothing, one for this place and one for Cornelia,
thinking I would get into the new store room being built
at Cornelia for me before the Clothing could be made;
it is still unfinished, and as my present store there has no
room for Clothing I have to bring both stocks here. Con
sequently, I’m going to cut iny prolit off to unload these
goods. So if you are going to buy Clothing this fall you
will do yourself an injustice if you buy without seeing
mine. u 'These suits are not made of mercerized cotton
mixed fabrics, hut wool, and not made by sweat-shop
workinapship, but by tailors of long years experience.
It’s not necessary for me to waste time writing
about these goods. When you see them you will
be convinced this is the place to buy Clothing;
For instance,
$17.50 TO $20.00 SUITS
I SELL
FOR $15.00
$12.50 to $15.00 suits, I sell for SIO.OO. Don’t take
my word but come and see for yourself. Our daily
sales on this line goes to show that my prices suit
the short crop and low price cotton. Yours truly,
MAYSVILLE, GEORGIA.