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THURSDAY. MARCH 26. THE DA Y OF DA YS PROLOGUE. “It breaks the speed limit to smithereens.” That's a candid opinion about this story. There may have been swifter tales, but not re cently. It's an aeroplane of a £arn, moving so fast that you tse your breath while you fol low it. But you don’t need any breath, anyway, because you forget about respiration with your eyes on reading of this kind. Every man has his day of days. Yours may have come and you may be swimming in the full tide of fortune. If so, read how P. Sybarite found his. If your own ship is still in the offing, you will enjoy learning how the little spunky red headed bookkeeper won a fortune 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) ■"I thought! saw you,” he comment ed blandly, advancing a pace and so SHaynon’s Eye* Winced. coming face to face with the bristling little Mephlstophellan figure, which he had endeavored to Ignore. “My dance, I believe.” he added a trace more brusquely, over the little man's head. “I’m afraid you’ll have to excuse me. Bayard.” she returned. He hesitated. “Do I understand you're ready for me to take yon home?" “You’re to understand that 1 will neither dance nor sit out the dance with you—and that I don’t wish to be disturbed.” (“Bless your heartl” P. Sybarite In terjected privately.) The voice of the younger Shaynon broke with passion. “This Is—the limit!" he cried violent ly. “I’ve reached the end of my endur anee. Who's this creature you’re with?’ “Is your memory so short?” P. Sybn rite asked quietly. "Have you forgot ten the microbe—the little guy who puts the point In disappointment?” “I’ve forgotten nothing, you—nnlmal’ Nor that you Insulted my father pub llely a few minutes ago Remove that mask and tell me your name. If you refuoe I'll thrash you tvltbln an Inch €j your life —here and now!" "One moment.” P. Sybarite pleaded with a graceful gesture “Before com mlttlng yourself to this mad enter prise, would you mind telling me ex actly how you spell that word Inch’; With a capital T and a final ’e'—by any chance?” With an Inarticulate cry Shaynon's fist shot out as If to strike his persecu tor down, but In mhlulr P. Sybarite’s ■Urn, strong fingers closed round and lnfle v Jlbly stayed his enemy's wrist “Behave!” P. Sybnrlte counseled evenly. "Remember where you are—ld a lady's presence. As for my mask. If It stlil annoys you”- He Jerked It off and away. Escaping the balnstrade. It caught a wandering air and drifted Indolently down through the darkness of the street "And If my face tells you nothing.’ he added hotly, “perhaps ray name will help It's Sybarite. Von may have heard It” As If from a blow Shaynon's eyes winced. Then, quietly adjusting bl crumpled cuff, he drew himself up “Marian.” he said ns soon as he had bis voice under control, “since you wish It PH wait for you In the lobby downstairs. T - By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE Shaynon turned nod lett them hi. on the tmlcon.v “I'm sorry.” I* Sybarite told the g In unfeigned contrition “Please fn give me I’ve a vicious temper tl color of nty hair—and I couldn't rest the temptation to make him squirm "if you only knew how I despise him.” she said, "you wouldn't think i' necessary to excuse yourself, though don’t know yet what It s all about." "Simply 1 happen to have the whl| hand of the Shaynon conscience." re turned P Sybarite. "1 happen to know that Bayard is secretly the husband o a woman notorious In New York uudei the name of Mrs. Jefferson Inohe.” “Is that true? Dare I believe"— Intimations of fears tnexprvaslhn alleviated breathed in her tone. ”1 have the word of the Indy herselt together with the evidence of his con fusion Just uow. What more do yoi need ?" "If that Is true how can It be that he has been begging me this very night to marry him within a month?'' “He mny have entertained hopes o' gaining his end—lds freedom—ln an other way Furthermore, he pro bald' thinks himself forced to seem Inslstem by the part lie’s playing His fnthei doesn't know of this entanglement he’d disinherit Bayard If he did ” "It may be so.” she responded vn cantly. "Teil me.” he suggested presently stammering, “if yon don't mind giving me more of your confidence, to which I don’t preteud to have any right, onl> my interest in—in you—the mystery with which you surround yourself. llv Ing alone there in tbHt wretched boarding house”— CHAPTER XI. In a Balcony—and Afterward. «aa gm Y stay In the boarding bouse |m/l wasn't meant to be per 1 mnnent” she explained “merely an experiment, i went there for two reasons—to be rin for awhile of their Incessant attempt to hasten my marriage with Bayard am because 1 suddenly realized 1 knew nothing about ray father's estate nu< found I was to know nothing for an other year; that Is, until, under hi will. I come Into ray fortune. 1 waul ed to know about our girls, to be sui • they were given a fair chance, enrne. enough to live decently and othe things about their lives you can lmag lne.” “I think 1 understand," said P. Syb arite gravely. “I had warned them more than onu I’d run away If they didn’t let m< alone. And finally I kept my word and ran awny, took my room In Thirty eighth street and before long secured work In my own store. “At first I wag sure they’d Identify me Immediately, but somehow no om seemed to suspect me, and I stayed on keeping my eyes open and collectin' evidence of a system of mismanage ment and oppression. “It wasn’t until tonight Bayard found out where I was living, as you saw At first I refused to return home, bn he declared my disappearance was ere atlng a scandal. “He insisted that these stories could only be refuted If I’d come home for i few days and show myself at the dance tonight “I’ve finished with the Shaynons fn good and all. I never liked either oi them, never understood what fathei saw in old Mr. Shaynon to mnke him trust him the way he did. And now after what has happened I shall sto| at the Plaza tonight—they know tne there—and telephone for my things If Mr. Shaynon objects I’ll see If the law won’t relieve me of his guardian ship.” “If you’ll tnkc a fool’s advice you'll do that whether or no. It wouldn't be the first time Brian Shaynon ruined n friend. There was once a family in this town by the name of Sybarite the family of a rich and successful man, associated with Brian Shaynon In a business way. I’m what’s left of It, thanks to my father's faith In old Brian's integrity.” “Oh. I’m sorry’’- “Don’t be. please. What I've en dtired has done me no harm, and to night has seen the turn of my for tunes or else I’m hopelessly deluded “The public disavowal of your en gagement to Bnyard will be likely to bring the Shaynons’ affairs to a crisis I firmly believe they're hard pressed for money. That's why they were In such a hurry for your marriage. “Even If Bayard were free —aa his father believes him to be—why need the old man have been so unreasonable when all the delay you ask Is another twelvemonth? Believe me, he had some excellent reason for his anxiety Finally, if the old villain Isn’t foment ing some especially foul villainy, why need he sneak from here tonight to the lowest dive In town to meet and con fer with a gang leader and murderer such as Red November?” “What are you talking about now?" demanded the bewildered girl. "An hour or so ago 1 met old Brian coming out of a dive known as Dutch House, the worst In town. It’s been puzzling me ever since—an appoint ment of some sort he made with No vember Just as I hove within ear shot. 'Two-thirty/ he said, and No vember repeated the hour and prom lsed to be on tbe Job. 'Two-thirty’— what can It mean? It's later than that now, but mark my worda. something's jcrlng to happen this afternoon or to; morrow or some time soon, at half paat 2 o’clock ” "Perhnpa you're right" aald the girl doubtfully. "Mlsa Hlesslngton.” said P. Sybarite aolemnly. “when you ran off In that taxi at midnight 1 had $5 In all tbe world. This minute, as I stand, I'm worth $20,000 I'd give every cent of It for some reliable assurance that Brian Shaynon and bis son mean you no harm ” Surprised and Impressed by his un wonted seriousness, the girl Indistinct ly shrank hack agninat the balustrade "Mr Sybarite’’— Bbe murmured, wide eyed. “Now," said the little man. with a brisker accent "by your leave we will get back to what we were discussing Your welfare" “Mr Sybarite." the girl Interrupted impetuously, "whntever happens I want yon to know that l at least an derstand yon and that to me you’ll nl ways be my standard of a gentleman brave and true and kind." "And now.” he broke off sharply, “all the pretty people are going home, and you must too. May 1 venture one step farther? Don’t let Bayard Shaynon’’- ”1 don’t mean to.” abe told him “Knowing what I know. It's Impossl ble." “You will go to the Plaza?" “Yes." she replied. “I've made up my mind to that” “You have a cab waiting, of course May I call It for you?" “My own car.” she said. “The call check Is with my wraps. But" she smiled. “1 shall be glad to give It to you to hand to the porter, If you’ll be so good, and then you may see me to my car.” “To do Bayard out of that honor!" he said cheerfully. “You couldn’t in vent a eerviee to gratify me more hugely.” She smiled In sympathy. “But be will be expecting to see you home?” “No matter If he does, he sba’n't Besides, he lives Id bachelor rooms, within walking distance. I believe.” Already the vast and shining hall was almost empty; only at the farther wall a handful of guests clustered ground the doorway, waiting to take their turn in the crowded cloakrooms. A moment more and the two were close upon the vanguard of departing guests, and the girl and P. Sybarite parted. “Wait for me In the lobby,” she said, smiling. Liberated from the crowded elevator on the lower floor, P. Sybarite found his lackey, resumed hat and coat and waited In the lobby opposite the ele vators. At the side street entrance the crush •f anteroom and elevators was dupli cated, Jamming the doorway and over flowing to tbe sidewalk while in wait ing for motorcars and carriages. But through the Fifth avenue en trance only the thin stream of those intending to walk was trickling away After a time P. Sybarite discovered Bayard Shuynon not far off like him self waiting and with a vigilant eye reviewing the departing the while he talked Id close confidence with one who was a strnnger to P. Sybarite. When he Idly glanced that way a second time the younger Shaynon was alone and had moved neurer. When eventually Marian appeared be was In stant to her side, forestalling even the alert flanking movement of P. Syba rite. “You are quite ready, Marian?” Shaynon asked and. familiarly slipping a guiding hand beneath the arm of tbe girl, with admirable effrontery. ‘‘You have your carriage call check ready? If you'll let me have It”— "Let'a understand one another once and for all time, Bayard," tbe girl In terrupted. “I don’t wish you to take me home. I prefer to go alone. Is that clear? I don’t wish to feel Indebted to you for even so slight a service as this,” she added. Indicating the slip of patseboard in her fingers. “But If Mr Sybarite will be so kind”— Shaynon’s accents when he spoke were even If menacing In tbelr toDe lessnese. “Then, Marian, I’m to understand It’s—good night?” “I think," said the girl, with a level look of disdain, “It might be far better If you were to underatasd that It’s good by.” He shrugged again, and his eyes, wavering, of a sudden met P. Syba rite's and stabbed them with a glance of ruthless and unbridled hatred, so envenomed that the little man was transiently conscious of a misgiving. "Here,” he told himself In doubt "Is one who, given bis way, would have me murdered within twenty-four hours And he thought of Red Novem ber. Almost undoubtedly the gunman had escaped arrest. Shaynon. with no other word, turned and strode away townrd the Fifth ave nue entrance. Marian roused P. Syba rite with a word. “Finis," she said, enchanting him with tbe frank Intimacy of her smile. They came to the carriage entrance, where the crush of waiting people had somewhat thinned—not greatly. Leaving Marian In tbe angle of the doorway. P. Sybarite pressed out to the booth of the carriage call appara tils, gave the operator the nnmhered and perforated cardboard, together with a coin, saw the man place It on the machine and shoot home a lever that hissed and spat blue fire, then turned hack. (To Be Continued Tomorrow.) THE AUGUSTA HERALD. AUGUSTA. GA. This child enjoys the advantage of civilization, while— THE WOMAN XX X X There Was Great Joy at the Louvre in the Papers and Among the Public. “The Man Must Be Mad,” Was the General Verdict. When Herbert MSgnlen stopped In front of “The Woman" the room was empty and deserted Just as he had hoped it would be. A faint light entered through the large windows. It was as If all the paintings which filled the walls were awakening from a long heavy sleep. Louvre at tills hour reminded of the castle of the Sleeping Beauty and the only sound to be heard was the heavy step of the night watchman walking through the Immense building The young man’s heart was heating violently. The first part of his under taking was a success. He must now cut the famous painting out of the frame, roll It up and make his escape without wasting a single moment. For a minute or two he stood over whelmed by the feeling which always overcame him at the sight of this won derful masterpiece. Then he realized that he must act arid roused himself from his dreams. A few moments later he had the painting rolled up under his cloak. Hts plan had been most carefully laid. He dt not lose his way In the maze of corridors. The outside door was open. Nothing barred his way. Once outside he drew a breath of re lief. His heart was heating bo vio lently now that he could barely walk. But he must get home and In the fu ture he alorwt would he able to enjoy this wonderful work of Mme. Vlgee-Le brun’s genius, which tod quite turned his brain. He felt hts usual calm return and hurried his steps homewards. Nobody paid the slightest attention to him, far less did anyone suspect that, he was car rying one of the treasures of the nation under his arm. Far up near thi top of Montmartre hs lived In the garret of an old house In habited by artists. The concierge did not see him as he entered the gate. He rushed up the stairs, locked his door behind him and unrolled the painting before he ever removed his hat. Five minutes later, "The Woman" was fastened on his wall with four drawing pins and it seemed to him as If It Illuminated the whole room. He sat down and stared at It with rapt ad miration. The young man was one of these ex. citaMe minds so easily unbalanced whose nerves often play tricks on them Once he had dreamed of becoming a great painter but the struggle for exist ence was hard and he who had no high CIVILIZATION cr wish than to paint beautiful wnin»n ha been furred to work ror n. common (Tec-orator, painting sign* for flab ami vegetable dealer*, or decoration* on tho wall* of cluta'ooinH. Hut during hi* leisure hour* lie pain* ed uh hi* own spirit moved him and h!M Sunday* were alway* npent in the pub lic art gallerle*. Ife knew them id, Versailles, Fontalnehfleau, Luxembourg an>i Louvre and gradually he developed hi* personal taste. He admired Mme. Vlgee-Lcbrun’s portraits more than any thing else and among theve particular ly “The Woman.“ Wa« It Mme. Mole Raymond who had thrown a spell upon him, she whose identity I* hidden under the “The Woman?” Or was It perhaps the artistic charm of the painting lt*elf? One thing 1 1* certain, after « while hi* love of the picture became a dominating madneas. which IrreslHtlhly compelled him to stall It. He began to lay hi* plan* and when he worked them out In detail he did -nd hesitate a single moment. One Sunday he let himself he locked up in the Louvre and when the door* had been opened at dawn to edmlt the charwoman he carried off the painting When he returned from hi* work that ; Monday night the • boulevard* were . seething with excitement. The eric* of the camelot* filled the air: “Henan- ! tlonal theft at Louvre!” He smiled contentedly. "Let them look for It everywhere,” he murmured, “they will never find It. No body will ever *e ‘The Woman' hut I." He hurried home end once more pin ned the painting to the wall. He ate hi* plain dinner art If he were having it alone uii a beloved woman and It. w;t* very late when he feM asleep atlll seated Iri front of hi* Idol. The next day he bought all the news paper* he could get. All were filled with stories of the disappearance of the picture and clue* were suggested. His fellow painter* discussed the | •vent excitedly but he took no part In j the discussion and one of them pinned a photograph of it to the wall n front <4 them so that Herbert could see her bewitching srnlle. Reproductions were sold all over , France, but nothing happened though i several clues were followed Up: “I am sure there is not even a child In all France, who does not know how 1 “The Woman” looks, Herbert thought. A week passed. Every paper and magazine reproduced the stolen painting i This child doesn’t. nnd It was posted on aOI the kiosks of tho boulevards. Herbert did not stop to look at any of these. It was enough for him to have CHINESE PRESIDENT ORDERS WHOLESALE ARREST OF GAMBLERS YUAN SHI Kl. Peking, China—Yuan Shi Kl the Chinese president has 'sailed a dras tic mandate, ordering the police to arrest every person wht gambles and to confiscate the money with which gambling is carried on. The money is to be used In rewarding the police making the arrests. Since the parliament has ceased to exist, the only laws obeyed are the presidential mandates, and Yuan Sill Kl Is of the opinion that one of the most deleterious Influences 'n China today is gambling. For centuries Chinese officials have been addicted to gaming table and the president Is determined that gambling must be abolished If tbe new republic Is to progress. FIVE SAVAGERY the original. Then the critics began to discuss the lost painting. Home calls'! It a wonderful masterpiece while others insisted that It wan n mediocre work of no particular value. This tutement uf fected Herbert like a personal Insult. Time passed. The newspapers no longer occupied themselves with (he painting, hut th picture threatres and the revues took It up und songs wero made about the Iheft. “The Woman'" adorned every bo* of candy. Herbert saw her everywhere, In the workroom a photo of htr was facing him, and when he came home he was met by her gen tile smile. He began to wonder how he had ever been able In fall In love with this Illy face, this stereotype smile, these features devoid of beauty. The lines were weak, the coloring unnatural. He turned his buck towards the picture while he was eating and ended by turning the painting Itself around. Klnully be could not stand It any long er and In an uttuek of disgust he rolled up the canvas. His only thought was no whow to get rid of It and one Satur day afternoon he wrapped It up and re turned It to the Louvre will) this note: "J have adored this picture, but now 1 huts It because It has been made commonplace, ugly and ridiculous through Incessant reproduction. I here with return It uml remain. “A repentant and severely punished THJKK.” There was great Joy at he Louvre In the pupers and among the public. “The man must be mad," was the general verdict. Hut the "madman” was happy once more In Ills miserable lltlle room. Jl i mind was at ease knowing that never again would he have to took at "The Woman with the Muff." AN OLD HYMN. (Hy I’hllalnder Johnson.) I've heal'd tho music that takes wings from pipe and horn and trem ■ bllng strings. t’ve marveled at the glorious art whose mystery thrills the human heart. Hut I endeavor all In vain to recollect some splendid strain. Instead comes echoing sweo*. and low a simple song of long ago. 'TIs but a dear, old-fashioned hymn. With memory mists my eyes grow dim. And, as I listen, there appears a. face with tenderest smiles or tears. It is no song by genius wrought, all cunningly devised and taught. A mother-song it soothes my ear with love unselfish and" sincere. I’ve read some poets who amaze with splendid thought and dazzling phrase. I've read philosophers and feared their wisdom us they subtly sneered. Such words, though wondrous they may be. have snin'l significance to me come pared to that old hymn so sweet that told of mother love complete.