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Show The MAfiDl GRAS by KBedfordxJones Illujirctions btj Copyright by Double&jg . Pag? and Company guilty of those things! me, it d, until It mortified I realized few people know it. Rut he's not Interested In oil, li he? I dont know; I take for granted that lie's Interested In making money. Most men are. The only way to make money in oil Is to have money and he has some! I have a little. I can thousand. With an put In twenty-fiv- e equal amount from him, we can sink a couple of wells, perhaps three. If we go broke, all right. If we find oil, were rich But, my dear Henry, If he knew you to be the Midnight Masquer, do you think hed want to go into business with you? If Why not? Gramont laughed. he knew that I had brains enough to pull off that stunt and keep all New Orleans up In the air wouldnt I make a good partner? Besides, I believe 1 have some notion where to go after oil; Im going to examine your land first " "My good prince, you surely have no lack of audacity She broke Into a Your argument peal of laughter. about Inducing Mr. Fell to go Into business with you Is naive But, as an argument, isnt Is quite sound?" Possibly. Since It Is Lucie Leda-noi- s and not Jachln Fell who has brought you to a confession of your crimes against society arent you going to propose that she go Into business with you? Doesnt the argument hold good with her? No. Oil Is no womans game, unless she can well afford to lose. I imagine that you cannot, Lucie." Castoria. the market, and knowing this demand Fletchers. It is to AT.T. motherhood, theiij that we call attention to the numerous imitations and counterfeits that may bo set before them. widF.P It 1 For a moment Gramont found himself unable to speak. He was thunderstruck by the sight of those unmistakable boxes. A glance at the calm features of the girl showed him that there was nothing to be concealed from her, even had he wished it. lie was further stunned by this realization. lie could not understand how the packages had come here. Recovering his voice with an effort, he managed to break the heavy silence. "Well? I suppose you know what Is In those parcels? Yes. One of them She nodded. was opened, and the note inside was discovered. Of course, It gave a general explanation. Will you sit down, please? I think that we had better talk it over quietly and calmly. Gramont obeyed, and dropped Into a chair. He was absurdly conscious of his own confusion. How had Lucie come Into the affair? This staggered him above all else. Was she behind the theft of the loot? It must be. How long had she suspected him, then? He had thought Jachln Fell the sole danger point he had never dreamed thnj Athene could he tracing this gray-eye- d down the Masquer! lie tried to visualize the situation more clearly and his brain whirled. He knew, of course, that she wns fairly intimate with Fell, but he was not aware of any particular connection He glanced up at her suddenly, and surprised a glint of laughter In her eyes as she watched him. You seem to be rather astonihed. she observed. Gramont drew a deep I am. You do you know that breath. those boxes were taken from my car? She nodded again. Certainly. They were brought to me. Then you had someone on tpy Gramont flushed a little as trail? he put the question to her. No. I have been chosen to settle affairs with you, that is all. It has been learned from the note In the opened box that you were not criminal In what you did." She leaned forward, her deep eyes searching him with a steady scrutiny. Tell me, Henry Gramont, what mad Impulse brought you to all this? Was It silly, boyish effort to be romantic--was It a mere outburst of bravado? It was not for the sake of robbery, as the note explained very clearBut why, then? Why? There ly. must have been a definite reason in your mind. You would not have taken such dangerous chances unless you hod something to gain' Gramont nodded slightly. A slight smile touched his lips. You're not going to sei-- me to prison. 1 trust? f ought to! The girl broke into ,a nu"h. Why. I can nardly jet that it wns really you who were e is to all motherhood everywhere that we ring out the warning to beware Just-as-goo- d. And yet there are those who would ask you to this. try something new Try Try that. Even try the same remedy for the tiny, scarcely breathing, baho that you in all your robust womanhood would use for yoursel Shame on them.7 Children Cry For J Sue! ALCOHOL -- 3 PER CENT. tor As AVe$etab!e Preparation ReuW' similatinlhcFood by Stomachs and BcweteM tinglhe Your Friend, the Physician. Cheerfulness and Reslwraainv neither Opltim.Morphlnenw Mineral. Not Narcotic jJ7nuncSAl(LafflsZ fcrrvu $9 JhdUtSdt JoUstM im gsas- - for Abel pfutRcmedy Diarrhoe Constipation and and and Feverishness LossoFbLEEP residbn therefromjnlm' . The history of all medicines carries with it the story of battles against popular beliefs: fights against prejudice: even differences of opinion among scientists and men devoting their lives to research work; laboring always for the betterment of mankind. This information is at the hand of all physicians. He is with you at a moments call be the trouble trifling or great. He is your friend, your household counselor. He is the one to whom you can always look for advice even though it might not be a case of sickness. He is not just a doctor. He is a student to his last and final call. His patients are his family and to lose one is little less than losing one of his own flesh and blood. Believe him when he tells you as he will that Fletchers Castoria has never harmed the littlest babe, and that it is a good thing to keep in the house. He knows. raSeSnaturert The CEHTAvnCoMPANt MOTHERS SHOULD READ THE BOOKLET THAT IS AROUND EVERY BOTTLE OF FLETCHER'S GENUINE NEW YORK CASTORIA CASTORIA ALWAYS Bears the Signature of 1 forever? Oil Is No Woman's Game. Unless She Can Afford to Lose." No trail, and I thought that he had managed the theft of those boxes. In fact. 1 wns preparing to give him a big surprise this afternoon. Rut tell me, Lucie are .von angry? She looked at him steadily for a space, then a swift smile leaped to her lips and she extended a pardoning hand. Her gesture and words were impulsive, sincere. Angry? No. I think you've some good reason behind it all. which yon won't confide to me. I can read you pretty dearly, Henry Gramont ; I think I can understand some things In you. Youre no weakling, no romantic, filibustering craclcbraln. And k like you because you won't lie to me. Youve a motive and you refuse to tell It very well ! Ill he just as frank and say that I'm not a hit angry. So. thats settled "Now what was the big surprise that you Just mentioned you were going to give poor Mr. Fell this afternoon? Gramont's eyes twinkled. "You remember that I thought he suspected me of being the Masquer? Well, I wns going to him to propose that we 1 said Gramont, Upon my honor! The farce Is ended, Lucie. seriously. All right. Ill be right down. Smoke if you like In her own room upstairs Lucie closed the door and sat down before She made no her dressing table. move toward the array of toilet articles, however. Instead, she took a desk telephone from the table, and In a moment she called a number. received a response. Unde Jachin she exclaimed. Yes It's just as we. thought ; it's all a joke. No, it was not a joke, either, because he had some motive behind it, but he wont telT me what It wns. I'm terribly glad that you opened one of those boxes and found the letter If you had gone to the police it would have been perfectly dreadful ii I never go to the police, said You Fell with his dry chuckle. are quite satisfied that there Is nothing serious In the affair, then? He told me that he Absolutely! had accomplished his purpose, whatever It was, and that its all ended. He just gave me his word that the Now, Masquer was dead forever. arent you glad that you confided in me? Very," said Jachin Fell, Very glad, indeed !" Now you're laughing at me never mind! Were going to lunch downtown, and well mail those boxes on the way, by parcels post. Is that all 1 The Baking Powder that Gives the Best Service in Your Kitchen Ja-clii- right? Quite all right, my dear. Did your gown come for tonight? It's to come this afternoon." enter business together. Oh As bandits? "I dont care to have you offer any reflections on my actions, Maillard," said Gramont, evenly. 1 I'm out "No, ns oil promoters. MailKrd's company or shall he out it soon. The minute Im out. I'll free to go into business for myself. of of be It (TO BE CONTINUED.) The Economy !E)j&R(In IPdl) RfUBEU GUARANTEES Pm?e amd WSioleoom Foods No Failures When a Big and Cheap can of baking powder is offered you LOOK OUT. No Waste The moderate cost of Calumet combined with the highest merit estab- lishes the greatest of STREETS LIT BY SMOKE." wns on January 28. 1807. that Iall Mail was lit by gns the first street in any city in the world to The caradopt the new illuminnnt. toonists of the period drew pictures which represented people choked by the fumes of the new illuminant, and uf ridiculous stories were nil It t' of the For over thirty years Fletchers Castoria has been an aid in the upbuilding of our population; an aid in the saving of babies. y. Continued. few mothers who do not know the virtues of Fletchers Perhaps there are a few who know that there are imitations on pERHAPS there are a 1 Well, my chauffeur, Hammond, was the original Masquer. I caught him In the act you remember I told you about him? After tuking him into iny employ, I became the Masquer." Why did you do it? persisted the girl. Call it bravado, my dear Lucie. Call it anything you like I can't lie to you I had a motive, and I refuse to admit what It was; thats all, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself? "Not particularly. I He smiled. had a good end in view, and I accomYoure right, 1 cant put in any plished It. Now that Im all through, now that I've finished playing my money. I'm land poor. Unless I were little game, you happened to dis- to sell that Bayou Terrebonne land- cover It. its an old farm, abandoned since beI think you've been very silly, she fore father died " said with a disconcerting calmness. Dont sell it!" he exclaimed, quick-lHe regarded her for a moment, stead. Dont consider any dealings with And you have displayed a fearier. it until I have looked It over, will ful lack of judgiuent !" you ? Well perhaps. What are Since you ask It, no. If there's gas Silly! you going to do with those boxes?" near by, there must be oil. I'll put them In the mail. I'm goNo Who knows? he shrugged. ing downtown for luncheon, and will one can predict oil." do It then. Theyll be delivered this Then you still mean to go to Jachln afternoon. Fell with your scheme? He nodded. "I had meant to have Yes. See here, Gramont nodded. them delivered tomorrow; it makes Lucie its about noon Suppose you no difference. Youre the boss. It come along and lunch with me at the will give the good people a little more Loifislane, If youve no engagement. reason for jubilation tonight, eh? We can put those boxes in the mail en A sudden laugh broke upon his lips. route, and after luncheon I'll try and "Im beginning to see the humor of it, get hold of Fell." Lucie and I know who put you next She put her head on one side and to me. . It was Jachin Fell, the old studied him reflectively. foil I suspected that he was on my Youre sure you'll not kidnap me or anything like that? Its risky to become a friend of hardened criminals, even if one is trying to uplift them. Good! Youll come? If you can give me ten minutes " My dear Lucie, you are the most charming object In New Orleans at this minute! Why attempt to make yourself still more attractive? Gilding the illy Is an impossible task." "Well, wait for me. Is your car I want to see Hamhere? Good mond's face when lie sees us carrying out those boxes." Laughing, the girl started toward the stairs. At the doorway she paused. One thing, M. le prince! Do you solemnly promise, upon your honor, that the Midnight Masquer Is dead 1 hotne. VII 10 me the truth from the note. Even the fact that you did not do It for criminal ends does not relieve the sheer folly of the act. Why did you do it? Come, tell me the truth !" Gramont shrugged. The truth? SYNOPSIS. During the height of the New Orleans carnival atason Jachln Fell, wealthy though somewhat mysterious citizen, and Lr. Ansley, are discussing a series of robberies by an individual known as the Midnight Masquer, who. Invariably attired as an aviator, has long defied the police. Joseph Mail-larwealthy banker. Is giving a ball that night, at which the Masquer has threatened to appear and rob the guests. Fell and Ansley, on their way to the affair, meet a girl dressed as Columbine, seemingly known to Fell, but masked, who accompanies them to the ball. Lucie Ledanols, recently the ward of her uncle, Joseph Milliard, Is the Columbine. At the ball, Bob Malllard, son of the banker, again proposes to her and Is refused. He offers to buy some of her property. A Franciscan monk Interests her. He turns out to be Prince Gramont. In his library Joseph Mall'ard and a group of his friends are held up and robbed by the Midnight Masquer. Lucie Ledanols, the last of an old family. Is In straitened circumstances. Joseph Malllard's handling of her funds has been unfortunate. Fell Is an old friend of her parents and deeply Interested In the girl. Henry Gramont, reallv the Prince de Gramont. Is enamored of Lucie. Lucie talks with Fell about her affairs and the Masked Gramonts chauffeur. Masquer. Hammond, sergeant In the A. E. F., lives with him. He was the original Midnight Masquer, and Gramont had assumed the role. Where Hammond had been a robber for financial gain, Gramont, of course, Is not. He arranges to return the "loot to those whom he has robbed. Gramont and Hammond put the Jewels and money In Individual packages to he returned the next day. An explanation Is Inclosed In each. Ben Cacherre. an Individual of unsavory character, with appears to he associated Jachln Fell. He has a peculiar Interview with one Memphis Tzzv notorious Influential Gumberts. crook. In which there Is significant reference to a mvsterlous "boss " Lucie summons Gramont to her CHAPTER stunned Shame on Them. 1 Irwin Myers UPON MY HONOR'" occurred to me that If Jachin Fell had brains enough te run down the Midnight Masquer, he would be a mighty good business partner; because I'm poor on business detail. Also, I think Fell Is to be trusted. Hes very strong politically, I have found although circulated about it. Sir Walter Scott wrote from Loudon that there was a madman proposing to light London with what do you think? why, with Sir Humphry Davy Is also smoke. credited with giving the opinion that it would be ns easy to bring down a bit of the moon to light London as y succeed in doing so with gas --zifrtiSoa Tit-Bit- Every can of Calumet is the same keeping Quallast spoonity Perfect ful good as the first. bakingpowdereconomy. You save when you buy iti BEST BY TEST You save when you use it! The Worlds Greatest Baking Powder , |