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THE DAY OF DA YS
By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
PROLOGUE.
It breaks the speed limit to
imithereens."
That’s a candid opinion abont
his story. There may have
iecn swifter tales, but not re-
ently. It’s an aeroplane of a
arn, moving so fast that you
osc your breath while you fol
it. But you don’t need any
breath, anyway, because you
orget about respiration with
our eyes on reading of this
ciud.
Every man has his day of
jars. Yours may have come
and you may be swimming in
he full tide of fortune. If so,
ead how P. Sybarite found
If your own ship is still
n the offing, you will enjoy
earning how the little spunky
ed headed bookkeeper won a
ortune and an heiress, foiled
all his enemies and had some
of the most amazing adven
tures ever penned—all in less
time than it takes the hour
hand to round the clock dial
twice. *
(Continued from Yesterday).
"She didn’t disappear, really. She'
been .laying with friends told ms to
herself. That's all the foundation the
ptper had for Its story."
"Of course." P. Sybarite said me
chanically. “And she told yon she
meant to marry Bayard Shaynon:'’
"She eald she'd promised. And that,”
I he boy broke out, "was what dross
me crazy. He's—he's—wall, you know
what he is."
"Ills father’s son,” said P. Sybarite
gloomily.
"lie was there tonight—tbs old man
too. And, after what Marian had told
ms. I Just couldn't trust myaslf to
meet or speak to either of them. So I
bolted back here, took a atilt drink,
changed from costume to these clothes
and went out to make a besotted ass
of myself. Naturally I aimed for
Ihitch House. And there the first
thing I noticed when I went In was
<1 Shaynon Bitting at ths sains table
you took. I spoke to him; but ha
wouldn't recognize ms—simply gland.
Presently Red November came In, and
they want upstairs together. So I
•tuck around, hoping to gat hold of
lied and make him drunk enough to
Curiously enough, whan Shay
non left Red cams directly to my table
■nd sat down. But by that tlma I'd
hud soma champagne on top of whis
ky. and when he tried to Insist on my
drinking non I got seared, feeling
hat I'd had as much as I did.”
"Thera’s some sort of shenanigan
brewing or my first name's Peter, the
me -a yunra—which I wish It was so.
Be quiet a bit and leave me think."
For a Utile while P. Sybarite eat pon
dering with vacant eyes.
“What tlma does this Hadlsy-Owsn
party break up!" ,
"Not till daylight”
That aeltles it I'm going. You
aay you’ve got a costume of some sort
here? pH borrow It"
"Heaven knows you’re welcome,
but"—
'But what?”
“Vou have no Invitation.”
Blaing. p. Sybarite smiled loftily.
‘THin't worry abont that I've an open
► anme in my pocket to cajole almost
any door la New York."
self hesitated to touch It
Literally to crown aU, his ruby bslr
was twisted upward from each temple.
In a cornuted fashion that was most
vividly picturesque.
’’Here,” ho sold, surrendering hat
and cont to the servitor before the lat
ter could remonstrate, “take and check
these for me, please. I shan't be going
for soma time yet.”
"Sorry, air. but tha cloak room down
'ere'i closed, air. You'll bare to chock
them on the ballroom floor.”
"No matter.” said the little man, and.
groping In a pocket, he produced a dol
lar bill and tendered It to ready fin
gers. “yon keep 'em for me down here.
It'll save time when I’m ready to go."
"Very good. air. Thank you." And
P. Sybarite ascended to the ballroom.
Pausing In the anteroom, he struck
an artificial pose on his high red heels
and stroked thin, satiric lips with slen
der fingers, reviewing the crash with
eyes thst glinted light hearted malice
through the scarlet vizor: seeking a
certain one and finding her not among
these many about him—their gny ex
otic trappings half hidden beneath
wrap* of modern convention they had
assumed against Impending departure.
CHAPTER X.
Such Stuff as Piets Are Made Of.
T URNING to one side. P. Syba
rite began to pick a slow way
through the press, and so
presently be found himself
shoulder to shoulder with elderly and
pompous Respectability In a furred
greatcoat, who, all ready for tha street,
with shining topper poised at bressi
level, bad delayed hla going for an In
stant’s guarded confabulation with a
Bate enough In all conscience was
the last guest to arrive for tho Hadley-
Owen masquerade.
Already town cars, carriages and
private busses were, being called for
departing with their share of the
H‘>r* seasoned and sober aided ravel
‘1.
Mere and mote frequently the ele-
eaters, empty but for their attendants,
*ere dying up to the famous ballroom
°"' r "f tho Bizarre, to daacend heavy
‘•■lea with languid, laughing parties
J* rayly costumed ladles and no leaa
brilliantly attired gentlemen — prince
,Dl ‘ Pauper, empress and shepherdess
cavalier and monk, milkmaid and
“'"‘"''hank; all reary yet reluctant
•a their going.
AM at this honr a smallish gentle
B,n - In an old style Inverness qpent
*cat that cloaked him to hla ankles.
» >h an opera hat act jauntily a wee
askew on hla bead, a mask of
Winuon silk covering hla face from
r 0 ** lips, slipped silently llhe
acme sly, sinister shadow, through the
avenna portals of tho Bliarro.
All the cars were still et the top. ac-
cording to the bronxe arrows of their
“Rtale dials. Tha lata Arrival bald up
patiently, but after an .lnstapt'j de
liberation. doffed bla hat erastrtd U
“"t. slipped out of hla voluminous
cloak and beckoned a liveried attend
ant -■ -
In the coelome thus disclosed be cat
“ '“PUB dgure., "Ktfan iktfeo half
■bell. Peter Kcany bad christened
cim.
"*» of black satin fitted P.
“• more neatly than him for
whom it hod been made, for bon ten
“*ce he wove a smoldering embar-ao
w* « Imitation.ihat at first be him-
Saw at Hla Elbow a Small, Attentive
Body.
youngish man consplcaous in this, that
he win In simple evening drees. Tbetr
backs tree* toward P. Sybarite.
Little enough he profited by hla open
eaveedropplng: what ha heard was
scarcely Illuminating when applied to
the pnaale that haunted him.
"She won’t—that's flat." Respectabll-
Ity'a companion announced In a sullen
voice
By tho tone of this lest Beeliebnb
know that It Issued from an ugly twist
ed mouth.
"But," Respectability inflated heav
ily, "you're aura yau’va dona your heal
to persuade her?"
"She won't listen to reason.''
"Well—everything’s arranged. You
have me to thank for that'
'Ob." sneered the younger man,
“you’ve dona a lot. you haver'
And then, moving to give way to an
other - making toward tha elevators.
Brian Shaynon discovered at hla elbow
that small attentive body In sinister
scarlet and black.
“Wall met!” P. Sybarite saluted him
gayly. “Are you Indeed off ao early
upon my business!"
"Who the devil are yoo!" Shaynon
demanded so atormtly that heads turn
ed curiously hla way. ‘T demand to
know. Remove that mask. Imperti
nent”—
"Mask!" purred Beeltehnb In a tons
of wonder. "1 wear no mask."
"No maakr stammered tho elder
man. confused.
"Nay. I am frankly what I am—old
avll'o salt" P. Sybarite explained
blandly. “But you. Brian Shaynon.
you go always masked, waking or
sleeping. Hypocrisy's your lifelong
mask. You see tbs distinction, old
servant!”
Beelzebub laughed provoklngly and
deftly wormed bla way through tha
proas to tho dancing door Itself.
As for the younger mee-he of the
■gly. twisted moutb-P. Sybarite WSJ
content to hold Mm la reserve to be
dealt with later at hla leisure. For tha
Doziness pressed with the
waning night.
On tha famous Boor twelve score
couples swung and swayed to tho In
toxicating rhythms of an nnaten or
chestra. > , s
Searching narrowly hack fair fate
that flashed paft In another's arms he
sited with seaming patUnco. A ran
Corona discontent gnawed at hla tarn
lahed heart
But of a suddon bo forgot self pity
and vain repining to the discovery of
the oso particular woman swinging
Alertly past In the arms of in tocroj
able. Whose giddy plumage reread only
to'«hf meet *Hktag. taw S
qulrtte fairness and the fine slmpTlcIl.v
of her costume.
For she was all In tha black and
white uniform of a Blesslngton shop
girl, black skirt and bloose, stockings
and pomps, relieved by showy linen at
throat and wrists, with at waist the
white patch of her tiny lacs and linen
apron.
Bar gaze veered to bla silent and
aloof figure, and for an Inatant his
eyes held hers. At once, to his con
sternstlon. the hot blood stained her
lovely face from throat to brow.
Than, nodding with an air of friend
ly diffidence, she flashed him a strange,
perplexing smile and was awept on
and away.
For a thought he chrcked Ms breath
In stupefaction, nad she. then, recog
nixed him! Was It possible that her In
tuition bad been keen enongh to pierce
hla disguise, visor and all!
But tho next moment ha rnuld have
gworn to chagrined appreciation of his
colossal stupidity. Of coo reel Hla
costume was that worn by Peter Ken
ny earlier to the evening.
Bo. after all. her emotion bad been
due solely to embarrassment and re
fret for the pain she bad ranaed poor
Peter by refusing his offer of mar
rla gal
In good tone the mnstr ended, and
scar a great, high window wide to the
night the breathless shop girl had drop
pod tote n chair.
At Beelxehnb'a approach the lacroy-
able, perhaps mindful of obligations
to another quarter. I .owed and moved
off. leaving the field temporarily qnlta
clear.
Rhe greeted him with a faint recur
rcnce of her former blnab.
“Why. Peter!" she cried, and so art
tho seal of confirmation on hla surmise
aa to her misapprehension, “I srae won
dering what had become of you.
Thought you must hava gone horns'
"Peter did go homo." P. Syberita af.
firmed, bending over her hand.
“Too—you're not Peter Kenny!"
“No more than yoo art Molly Loo
sing."
“Molly Lesstaft What do yen know!
Who can yon be! Why art yon
masked!”
“Is It permitted!" ha asked, taking
the tiny printed card of dance engage
ments that dangled from her fingers
by Its silken thong. , i
Hla Ups hardened aa ho retd too in
itials penciled opposite the last dues;
they were “B. 8."
“Bayard Shaynoa!” ha queried.
She assented with a nod, her brows
gathering. - “■
Coolly, with the miniature pencil at
tached to tho card, ha changed tha
■mall, faint B to a large, black P,
strengthened tho 8 to correspond and
added to that “ybarlto.-” then, with a
bow, returned tho carl
“Yon-Mr. Sybarite!"
“I, Miss Blesslngton.”
“Bat—oh, lncredlblel” she cried,
can't believe yoo."
Facing her, ho lifted hla scarlet vixar,
masting bar star* with Ma wistful and
diffident smile.
"Mias Bleaalngton." be pursued sari
onaly, "If yon have patience to listen
to what I’ve been through aloe# we
parted to Thirty-eighth street"—
couruged by her alienee, ho told her
of tho night’s happenings. "And all.
It appears, that I might coma at last
to beg a favor of yon. I am about to
transgress your privacy with a ques
tion—two, In fait WUI you toll me,
please. In confidoneo why you refused
my cousin. Peter Kenny, when ho nek-
od you to marry him!"
Coloring, she met hla ayes honestly.
"Because— Why, It was so utterly
absurd. Ha's only a boy. Besides, 1
don't care for him—that way."
“You cars for some one cloo—that
wayF”
“Tea," said the girl softly, averting
her face,
“la it Mr. Bayard Shaynon!"
“No." she replied after a perceptible
panes. - .
"But yoo hava promised to marry
Mm!"
“It was my father's wish."
“And yet-you don't Ilka him!"
Looking steadily before her. the girl
■aid tensely, "I loathe him.”
“Then." cried P. Bybarite to a joyful
votes. "I may tall you something. You
needn't marry him.”
She turned startled eyas to bla, to
credulous
"Need not!"
"I should have said cannot"
Through tho loud bum of voices
that suing the room, had furnished a
cover for their conversation, sounded
tlful carriage lying hack in the auk
pillows with a amlle on her face. She
evidently n- great lady now and
next (o her ant her husband, a rich
noble Lord.
And today the letter and the box had
come from her. She had often thought
of her Ud home, she wrote, but sha
, had ao nfttqfa to da She wanted, how
tos opening bars of music for tho final lever. to send a present to ths Kiris,
daars. Tbs Kiri rose suddenly. sy*s 1 She did not want to send them
PEPPINA’S GIFT
Fragi a Box WuTjjttn Qne Wonderful Dress After tho
Other, Until tho Priest’s Poorly Furnished Boom Was
Resplendent With Gold and Silver, Velvet and Silk,
Pearls and Jewelry.
Pater Joseph, thoughtfully scratch*
Ing himself behind the ear. stood in ths
midst of a crowd of woman. Prom a
box was taken ono wonderful dress
after the other, until the priest's poor
ly furnished room was resplendent
with fold and silver, velvet and silk,
pearls and Jewelry. The women spread
out. ths things, shook their neads, and
agreed that the queen herself could
not possibly wear trore costly dresses.
Pater Joeept put on his spectacles
and once more read aloud the letter, as
he hod done, several times before. The
women crowded around, him so as to
lose no single syllable of ths interest
ing contents. Yes, who would have
expected this from Peppina Beauti
ful ao a tummer morning she had been,
a little wild, bat always ip the best
spirits, and one morning she had pack
ed hef bundle and left the peer village
to aeeb a portion somewhere else. For
years the people bad heard nothing of
her but Luigi th* p«ddl«r thought he
hm£p1et her once In the gj^strange
dtja W&b* had been rldlqgyjn.a, beau-
tike stars sflame In s fare of snow.
•This way.” aald P Sybarite, Indi
cating tbs wide window near by.
Immediately Marian Bleaalngton
slipped through the hangings, and.
turning, beckoned P. Sybarite to fol
low to ths balcony.
There's so on# hers." she an
aossced la accents tremulous with ex
citement, when be Joined her. "Now
—now tell me what you raranP
“One moment,” he vrarced her gent
ly, turning beck fa face tha opening
jest as It was darkened by another
figure.
The man with the twisted month
Stood there, peering blindly Into the
Josephs'* heart
at It. It was
from plain woot
ter hand, she h
fhee and noble
finished body w
with a cheap cl
ths neck hung I
of colored gl*M
The sight of tJ
Joseph an Idea
fluah with joy.
not the pooreet
people? Had ■
ent? Yea, aha
silk and velvet
houee and told
the Idea that hi
church.
The poor peof
quite convinced
found the very
plna's coatly gil
stood In the po<
a real queen,
rose colored all
trimmed with
around her neck
and colored gem
wore shoes of tl
No longer wa
the young peoph
front of such a
Tho church wa*
who came from
magnificent VIrt
holidays the
through the strs
ughly
only
round
heart
draper om tha shoulder—aorely it
could not be possible. And still, when
ha went quite close he discovered
own initials artistically entwined with
a Ha himself had designed this
very dress, fibs had always remain
ed the wild mountain girl who loved
bright colors and daring design* and
he had promised to design a gown for
her. Then he remembered bow last
year she had had the Idea of aendlrig
some clothes to her old home that her
old playmates might have something
pretty to wear Instead of their usual
rags and envy her.
•'Yes. that Is beautiful, isn't Itr
The painter turned around and saw
an eld leaa priest lo a shabby oaaadck
Baroness Vaughan To Make An
Assault on French Society
1
NI
BS «M
(To Be Continued Tomorrow.)
**| SAW IT IN THE HERALD”
ey, but perhaps they might cars for
sonic of her. old .clothes, thst were not
quite up to date arty’ more- She sent : and tho people
her kindest regards to everybody who i an she pse.»il b
•till remembered Pepping. j radiantly I
The poor village people, who very) •d^great-
often did not hsve enough to buy food
to lay nothing of clothes, did not know
what to do with all this flrterv. To
wear It was out of the question and
they did not think they ought to aell It
even If a buyer might he found, an now
they hod naked their priest for ndrle*.
Pater Joseph was alone, and he
stood quite helpless looking at nil this
splendor, which filled the nlr with a
fragrance of heavy perfume which af
fected him strangely and mads hint
fsel a. If he were Intoxicated. He put
on hi, wooden shoes left the houM
and went to hla little church.
tXd anyone ever Bee each si’ miser
able, poor church? No paintings, no
picture*, and only a square little altar
covered with a plain white cloth and
a worm-eaten black cros above.
ever to hit
One day a str
the -.itiiuKe. He
and carried a pal
looked at the dl
little windows a
mules and cattli
rooms looked at
dren of which tt
carefully picked
muddy streat.
church he looked
■bout to leave t
of the Madonna,
tasteful blending
silks aad velvets Where had they
found these wonderful materials? It
was aa If ha had seen them somewhere
before and when he loolred closer he
gecoraized tha arrangement of ths
with ooarsa stockings aad heavy shoes
Uke those worn by the poorest peas
ants. Hla face was beaming with pride
and pc Insure.
“But don’t you
nubor, toi
clothes?”
"Tea Indeed.” said the Priest, “aha
sent them to ua She came from this
village and was aa poor as any of ua
though aha la now married aad • (rant
lady! Perhaps you know bar!"
Tho painter stared at bla. Be
Indignant and disgusted.
‘Peppina, a great lady! Hava you
never heard of Popping than! NeaPol’s
moot beautiful xtaDereen With these
things aha adorned her voluptuous
body!
BO had barely spoken, whan he re
gretted hla worda The priest threw
up his arms aa If to ward off a blow
and turned aa pale as a ghost. Than
ha bowed his head and slowly walked
rut of the church.
ifii the evening whaa everybody wu
asleep Pater Joseph crept Into tha
church carrying an on lamp. He look
ed years older and hla face was filled
with grief. All the splendor mart be
taken from tho Madonna and torn Into
shreada. Ho had helped to desecrate
the Mother of God. Aad still, had
not all them clothes bean sprinkled
with Holy Water aad had they not
helped to turn the thoagbt of hun
dreds of people to preysr? Had he
really committed a sin? Those dead
clothes surely could not desecrate the
Virgin.
Pater Joseph closed hla eyas and
shuddered. Ha raised hla tamp and
held It close to Madonna's vdl. Hla
heart filled with pain. If ha did what
hs Intended, the church would ha as
grey and cold and cheerless aa before.
Never should tho beautiful colors of
the Image gladden hla eyes. But was
toe sacrifice then really necessary?
The painter was ter away and no
body else knew anything. He raised
the lamp and looked at tha Image
which seemed more beautiful than
ever. No, ha could "not rob God's
Mother of her beauty.
A sudden gnat of wind mads the
lamp flicker. A tongue of flams shot
1 Ucked the vdl which buret
BARONES* VAU8HAN.
Part*—Ths Baronem Vaughan, mar.
oentio wife of the late King Leopold
of -Belgium, la preparing to mails an
assault an tha bulwarks of French se
el tty. Shg has purehaasd a mansion
in the Avanue Henri Martin, eapable
of accommodating tha largest parties.
On* ream of the costly maaaien Is
too fitted up ao an office and tha Baren
ess has Installed a ticker tap* machine,
whereby aha keeps tabs ad the stock
market. The large fortune left her
by King Leap aid has bean verity In
creased by fortunate apsealatlan of tha
Bourse. •
i -if’- ~"i i
■RmbRsk hs tar is toe final hufnffaH
the image, now s coarse almost shape
less mesa, of which only tha head and
hands looked alive. Now ho under
stood. how they had all atoned an he
moot of all. It eras the Virgin bar-
self they must adore not the borrowed
^■ifior. Sha nsadafi Bo ornaments
I She who to herself wee perfection and.
beauty.
Pater Joseph arose painfully, went
Into the vestry, took from a cheat the
poor old cotton gown and put It on
the Madonna. Then he knelt down to
fervent prayer, and when again arose
he thought the Virgin smiled at him
aura LeasviMently than aror
■ ; '• Mi-ja