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Show THE S ALIN A SUN, SAUNA UTAH Tixe MARDI GRAS MYSTERY bt HBedford'Jones Illiuirations by Irwin Mtjers Copyright by Doublcday Pag? and Company blazing star sapphires. Beside it the diamonds that bejeweled Mrs. Mall-lard- s ample front looked cold and lifeless. That?" queried Lucie, innocently, producing a scrap of chamois and dabOh, that's very inbing at her nose. teresting! It was made for Queen Hor-teiv-e so was this scarf that keeps my ragged hair from lopping out ! They were a present only this morning. Girl ! The lady's voice was harsh. A present? From whom, If you e TAKES NO CHANCES ON MASQUER. Synopsis During tha height of the New Orleans carnival season Jachin Fell, wealthy though somewhat mysterious citizen, and Dr. 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 Milliard. wealthy banker, Is giving a ball that night, at which the Masquer has threatened to appear and rob the guests. Kell and Ansley, on their way to the affair, meet a girl dressed as Columbine, seemingly known please?" Oh, to Fell. CHAPTER I promised not to tell ; lie's a particular friend of mine. Arent the stones pretty? Mrs. Maillard was speechless. She compressed her firm lips and watched And Mallianl would do the paying." Lucie replace the sapphire collar withFell's dry chuckle held a note of bit- out a word to offer. Silently she externess. Let him. Who cares? Look tended a corsage bouquet from the pile at his house, there, blazing with lights. beside her; then, la a trembling voice, Why pays for those lights? The people forced herself to explain about the fahis financial tentacles have closed their vor inside. sucker-lik- e grip upon. His wifes jew-eSlipping her mask Into place Lucie have been purchased with the coin was gone, not without relief. She of oppression and injustice. His sons knew very well that within half an life is one of roguery and drunken hour Bob Maillard would be Informed wildness " that she had accepted gifts of Jewels from other men, with all the accompaMan, are you mad? Ansley indicated the Columbine between them. nying implications and additions that Were not alone here you must not Imagination could furnish. For, altalk that way though Bob Maillard wanted very Jachin Fell only chuckled again. Co- much indeed to marry her, his mother lumbines laugh broke in with renewed had no intention of sanctioning such a union. gaiety : Nonsense, my dear Galen! We Neither has Uncle Joseph," she remasquers may admit among ourselves flected, smiling to herself, and neither that Bob Malllard is have I ! So were all agreed, except Is not the innn we would have our Bob. daughters marry, provided we had Columbine !" A hand fell upon her daughters," said Fell. wrist. Columbine! Turn and confess They had come to a file of limou- thy sins!" sines and cars, and approached the She had come to the foot of the gateway of the Muillard home. They wide, stairway that led turned into the gate. Jachin Fell to the floors above, and beside her had touched the arm of Ansley and indicated an inconspicuous figure to one side of the entrance steps. An outer guardian," he murmured. "Our host, it seems, is neglecting no precaution! I feel sorry for the Masquer, if he appears here. They came to the doorway. Columbine produced an invitation, duly numbered, and the three entered the house together. I Continued. 2 N CHAPTER II. Masquers. Joseph Malllard might have hopefully considered the note from the Midnight Masquer to be a hoax perpetrated by some of his friends, but he took no chances. Two detectives were posted In the grounds outside the house; inside, two others, masked and costumed. were keeping a quietly efficient ' eye on all that transpired. Kacli guest upon entering was conducted directly to the presence of Joseph Maillard himself, or of his wife; was bidden to unmask in this private audience, ard was then presented with a favor and sent forth masked anew to the festivities. These favors were concealed, in the case of the jdies, in corsage bouquets; In that of the men, Inside faise cigars. There was to he a general opening of the favors at midnight, the time set for unmasking. All this ceremony was regarded by the guests as a delightful innovation, and by Joseph Maillard as a delightful way of assuring himself that only invited guests entered his house. Invitations mi gilt be forged faces, never! Lucie Ledanois entered the presence of her stately relative, and after unmasking. dutifully exchanged kisses with Mrs. Maillard. Until some months previously, until she had come into the management of her own property or what was left of it Lucie had been the vvurd of the Maillards. Mercy, child, how marvelous you look tonight! exclaimed Mrs. Maillard, holding her off and examining her high coier with obvious suspicion. Thank you, maam." and Lucie made Do you like little a mock courtesy. Columbine?" "Very much. Heres Aunt Sally; take Miss Lucies cloak, Sally." An old colored servant bobbed her head in greeting to Lucie, who removed her cloak. As she did so, she aaw that Mrs. Halliard's eyes were fastened in utter amazement upon her You She Frighten Me, Holy Man! Confess to You, InCried, Gayly. deed! Not I. suddenly appeared a Franciscan monk, cowled and gowned in sober brown from head to foot. You frightened me, holy man she Confess to you, indeed cried, gaily. Not I. "Never a better chance, butterfly of the world. Haste not to the dance, fair sister tarry a while and invite the soul in speech of Import Having passed the dragon at the gate, tarry " a moment with this man of vows Shrive me quickly, then," site said, laughing. Would Now, without confession? you have me read jour thoughts and give penance?" If you can do that, holy man, I may confess ; so prove It quickly The Franciscan leaned forward. His voice came low, distinct, clear-cut- , and he spoke in the French which Lucie understood as another mother-tongue- , as do most of the older families of New Orleans. "See how I read them, mademoiselle! One thought is of uneasy suspicion; it is typified by a hard lipped, throat. Isnt it pretty, auntie?" she asked, grasping nmn. One thought is of profound regret; it is typified by a darkly Smilingly. "My goodness gracious !' The stern welling stream of oil. One thought Where where on Suddenly Lucie had shrunk away eyes hardened. earth did you obtain such a thing? from him. Who who are you? she breathed, with a gasp that was almost Why Columbines features flinched. She of fear. "Who are you, monsieur?" A humble brolher of minor orders, was a poor relation, of course, so the Shall I nor continue look in the older womans eyes and the and lie t.vved. m.v with words little of formed the reading? The third, mademoiimplication selle, is one of hope ; It is typified by a less than an insult. Quietly she put one hand to her small man who is dressed all in throat and removed the collar, drop- gray Lncie turned away from him quickly. ping it into the hand of Mrs. Muillard. I think that you have made some It A as thing to make any womans eyes widen a collar of exquisitely grave error, monsieur," she said. Her lth ten great voice was cold, charged with dismiss! i wrought gold studded by" 1 ! 1 and offended dignity. pray you, excuse me." Not waiting any response, she hastily run up the stairs. After her, for a moment, gazed the Fwaelscan, tr.en his wide shoulders and shrugged plunged into the crowd. While she danced, while she chattered and laughed and entered into the mad gaiety of the evening, Lucie Le-thHow could ominous Frunciscan. danois could not banish from her mind he have known? How could he have guessed what only she and one other barely suspected? There was no proof, of course; the very breath of suspicion seemed a calumny against an upright man Joseph Malllard had sold that Terrebonne land six mouths before any gas er oil had been discovered there, and eight months before Lucie had come into the management of her own affairs. He had not known about the minerals, of course; It was a case only of had Judgment. Yet, indubitably, he was now a shareholder anjl officer In the Bayou Oil company, the concern which had bought that strip of land. Lucie strove angrily to banish the dark thoughts from her mind. Why, Maillard was a rich man. a banker, an honorable gentleman ! To doubt his honor, although he was a harsh and u stern man, was Impossible. . Lucie knew him better than most, and could not believe May 1 crave pardon for my error?" came a voice at her elbow. She turned, to see the Franciscan aguln beside her. "With a thousand apologies for impertinence, mademoiselle ; I am very Will- not that 6orry for my faults. admission obtain for me one little dance, one hint of forgiveness from fair Columbine? Something in his voice spelt sinLucie, smiling, held out her cerity. hand. You are pardoned, holy man. If you can dance In that friars robe, then try it I" Could lie dance, indeed Who could not dance with Columbine for partner? So saying, the monk proved his word by the deed and proved it well. Nor did lie again hint that he had recognized her; until, as they parted, he once more left her astonished and perturbed. As he bowed he murmured : . Beware Beware, sweet Columbine of the gay Aramlsl Beware of his proposals He was gone upon the word. Arainis? Why, that must be the Musketeer, of course Bob Maillard! The name, with Its implications, was a clever Hit. But who was this brown monk, who seemed to know so much, vv ho danced so divinely, whose French was like music? A vague suspicion was In tlie girls mind, but she had no proof. Half an hour after this Bob Malllard came to her, and with impntient words made a path through the circle which I know you now, surrounded her. I must see Lele! he murmured. you at once in the conservatory." She was minded to refuse, but assented briefly. The words of the monk Intrigued her; what had the man guessed? If Bob were Indeed about to propose, she would this time cut off his hopes for good. But was it that sort of a proposal? As she managed to rid herself of her admirers, and descended to the conservatory, she was highly vexed with herself and the Franciscan, and so came to her appointment in no equable frame of mind. She found Maillard waiting In the conservatory ; he had unmasked, and was pulling a cigarette. By gad, Lucie, youre beautiful tonight. Where did you get that collar of jewels? Indeed The girl proudly drew What business is iint herself up. of yours, sir?" "Arent you one of the family? D n it Lucie! Don't you know that " I want to marry you "My dear Robert, I certainly do not want to marry any man who swears to my face you least of all she I have already recoldly intervened. fused you three times; let this be the fourtli and last. Now, kindly inform me vv liy you vv islied me to meet you here." I have a chance to make some money for you in a hurry, he said. "Your father left you a good deal of land up Bayou Terrebonne way "Your father sold some of it, she His eyes flickered to put in, Idly. at The Young Mother. THE ILLS AND CHILDREN should be so well known to the youngest of mothers that a reminder or a repetition of the symptoms of illness seems unnecessary, yet there are some mothers who overlook a feverish condition, a little colic, or a disposition to be irritable. If not corrected they may lead to serious sickness. And. to correct them, to bring Baby back to its happy self, is so easy by the use of Castoria a medicine prepared just for infants and children.' It will regulate the bowels (not force them), aid digestion and so bring quiet and rest.; Fletchers Castoria has been doing this for over 30 years; regulating the' stomach and bowels of infants and children. It has replaced the nauseating Castor Oil, Soothing Syrups, poisonous Paregoric and other vicious concoctions in the homes of true ana honest mothers mothers who love their children. Those mothers wiU give their babies foods and medicines especially prepared for infants and children. OF INFANTS . so-cal- led MsSlvvt Children Cry For - fnntonts ISFluid Praoh! ?MPS .ALCOHOL-- . Avertable ! 3 PER CENT. A ftcparatioafitf Ectful Jj similatiuittcJFood try tlnPthBStmnadisaMBoWtt j Thereby Promotta4DgJ Cheerfulness andRestCo nettlutr Oplam.Morpwne W Mm Prfti Nox Narcotic 1 1 1 the thrust. Yes; but you've plenty left, near Paradis. It's away from the gas field, Hut I'm interested in an oil company. Weve plenty of money, and were going to go strong after the liquid gold. That land of yours is good for nothing else, and if you want to make some money out of it I'll swing the company into leasing at a good figure and drilling there. You think there's oil on the land? lie made No. a swift, energetic To be frank. gesture of dissent. dont. But Id like to throw a bit of Uick your way, Lucie. That fellow Gramont the prince, you know him lies an engineer and a geologist, and hes in the swim. Next week Masquer. the e Trait. You cannot rightly judge people h what others say about them, but yot can by what they say about oilier. Boston Transcript I'eiimps oo' the easiest wuy to have Mine is to go abend sod have ir. VJ$rj fell1 helpful Remedy for Constipation and DUrrt1 A Loss of Sleep rcsuttin $ thetefwrojtilnfancy-fcr-Slmil- SidnWlf Th Gentm od s. MOTHERS SHOULD READ THE BOOKLET THAT IS AROUND EVERY BOTTLE OF FLETCHER'S CASTORIA GENUINE CoMPfion NEW YORKr CASTORIA ALWAYS Bears the Signature of j Gives Cheerful Ilcnr Color Tone to Old Curtains PUTNAM FADELESS DYES dyes or tints as you wish There are happily constituted peodont care whether they extheir opinions or not. press It Works That Way. Does lire Bible explain Sillieus Just why Methuselah happened to live I think not, but so long?" Cynicus The trouble about looking up to tny own private opinion Is that some people is that it encourages them to woman must liuve married, him for hfs New York Sun. look down upon us. money. ple who Aire Mot Woi'Sfa Kven when a man does have great- ness thrust upon him he really that he achieved It. the IPzrSee 5 nne If they are the big can and cheap hind because they may mean baking failures 'si THATS WHY The Economy (PdDWBBEH Is tise biggest selling brand in the world Dont let a BIG CAN or a very low price mis- lead you. it p pensive because it WASTES time and money. think' A man "has to believe something,,, The confidence man 1' you know. looking for that kind. Experimenting with an uncertain brand is ex- Midnight (TO UK CONTINUED.) Tell-Tal- , , to-da- y. just-as-go- jST V.t-- A Word About Truth. Great la Truth, and mighty above aU things.! So saya the 014 Truth show no favors, Testament, yet it Is equally true fears no enemies. From the Inception of Fletcher's Castoria, Truth has bees tha watchword, and to the conscientious adherence to this motto in the preparation of Fletcher's Castoria as weU as in its advertising is das the secret of its popular demand. All Imitations, all substitutes, all preparations lack the element of Truth, lack the righteousness of being, lack all sem blance even in the words of those who would deceive. And you I Mothers, mothers with the fate of the World In youf hands, can you be deceived? Certainly not. Fletcher's Castoria is prepared for Infants and Children. It is The BABYS need for a meddistinctly a remedy for the little-oneicine to take the place of Castor Oil, Paregoric and Soothing Syrupa was the sole thought that led to its discovery. Never try to correct BABY'S troubles with a medicine that you would use for yourself. CUlCASO pewc9 BEST BY TEST TheWorSd?s Greatest Baking Powder |
