Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1915 — Page 2

SYNOPSIS. Anne Ives, matcot bv reputation ■tarts from Winnipeg for London to attend the coronation of Kin* George. Her father had oome to America following a quarxel with hta father. Comte d'Yves of ■France. Anne’s father, -at his -death, left her a key to a strong box containing -bonds of the defunct French Panama Canal company. The box Is tn the vaults of Magntft * Co.. Paris bankers. On the ■teamer Anne meets the dessoiute son of Magniff. who. not knowing her Identity, tells her of a scheme to get hold of the canal bonds and extort money from Magnis. Anne volunteers to go as a passenger with a French contestant at an aviation meet in London. The Frenchman wtna. but disappears without disclosing his idsotitv She meets him again in the crowd at Westminster abbey and aceoninentes him to the coronation. She learns that he Is her cousin. Chevalier d'Yves, and that hts companion is her grandfather. Comte d’Yves. Sharing her father's hate for the family. Anne abruptly leaves the abbey. She losses her purje and bororws money to go to Pana On the way she meets an official of theaviatlon meet who, thinking her the wife of the winner, forces on her the prise of SOO pounds. She learns that Banker Magniff is extremely bitter against her grandfather and holds a mortgage on the ancestral home. Magniff tells her a new key must be made for the box. He Induces her to sign an agreement to sell him the bonds for 60.000 francos.

CHAPTER IV—Continued. I appended my name to the document and walked out of the office like one in a dream. With economy, my money would last easily for three weeks I should never need to worry about my landlady’s bill any more. My happy thoughts were speedily to be dispelled. “There is a gentleman waiting to see you, mademoiselle,"-said the landlady of my pension as I entered. “He has waited two hours in the reception room. Mademoiselle is Canadian she would doubtless wish to meet him without a chaperon,” she simpered. Somehow my heart failed me as I turned the handle of the door. 1 was convinced that it was the scoundrelly Greek Zeuxis, who had followed me home. But it was not—it was Leopold Magniff. the banker's son! He bowed low and his countenance assumed a sneering deference as I ignored his outsretched hand and stood facing him in silence. 1 did not deign to offer the least greeting. “Miss Ives, you've been to see my father,” he volunteered, “it’s no use to deny it; my agents have been on your trail since you posed as the wife of the Chevalier d’Yves at the coronation.” “I have no intention of denying anything—to you,” I eaid, contemptuously. “But if you dare insult me with your falsehoods again, you shall be thrown from this hotel." “At least mademoiselle will acknowledge that she wore a wedding ring during the ceremony,” he pleaded, ly"It was lent to me,” I cried, and then bit my lip angrily at the admission. “Mademoiselle, you are charming,” said the scoundrel, regarding me with frank admiration. “Now don’t be

"Mademoiselle, You Are Charming,” Said the Scoundrel.

angry. I have come here as a friend. And to prove it, allow me to restore you this." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the puree which I had loet in so humiliating a manner Inside Westminster abbey. He handed it >o me, and, taking it gingerly, I opened it There, within, lay my hand mirror, my powder puff, and-my five hundred dollar bills. But the key—the key was gone. "I gather from your expression, mademoiselle, that you realise that you are in my power," he said. ~ "If you mean that you have stolen my key— ■** I began. “Your key?” he z repeated, in feigned astonishment “I know nothing of iny key of yours, mademoiselle, except that this puree was discovered at the entrance to the abbey doors by a servant of mine.” “By your spy, Zeuxis," I interrupted, bitterly. "I thank you for your honesty In restoring my money, at least Good afternoon, monsieur." "But, mademoiselle,” he cried, id •real alarm, "! thought now that I have ■convinced you of my power, that you would be willing to join forces with , 3BS. Otherwise, you will bo ruined. I

ANNE IVES: MASCOT H.M. EGBERT

ILLUSTRETIUNS BY O.IRWIN MYERS

| IL LU STR ATIONS

Assuredly you will be ruined. My coup has succeeded beyond my expectations —the one I told you that I had in pfbspect And I will marry you tomorrow —tonight, if you Insist on it. You will be made for life. And I shall worship you. I am sure that we were made for each other. Ah, mademoiselle, do you suppose that you will have such a chance again? Are you thinking of that beggardly chevalier? Why, he Is a pauper, wiped out —besides, he Is a libertine, a rake. They say—’’ Something in my expression must have alarmed him, for he suddenly ceased speaking, took bis hat, and sidled toward the door. "Remember, mademoiselle,” he said, grinning naetlly, "I am ready at any time to renew my proposition to you. But unless you accept you will be ruined —positively ruined, believe me.” The sight of his grinning face horrified me; the memory clung to me for weeks afterward. When 1 gained my self-possession 1 sent a hasty telegram to the banker. It ran as follows: "Your son and confederate have key to my safe. Seal it and place a guard over it instantly." Thie communication elicited no response. But I felt sure that It would effect its purpose —unless, the bonds had been already stolen. I awaited the termination of the three weeks with ill-concealed impatience.

CHAPTER V. New Friends and Old Enemies. ’ (In which I learn that my relatives axe not so black as I painted them.) Here was I, alone In Paris, under the surveillance, as I was positive, both of Leopold Magniff, Jr., and his rascally sycophant Zeuxis, with three weeks to wait before the opening of the safe in which my precious bonds lay hidden. And in three weeks my enemies could work incredible harm. Magniff had threatened me with ruin unless I accepted his advances. But how' could he fulfil his threat? Only in one way, clearly; by utilizing the key which he had stolen from my purse to open my safe and to abstract the bonds. Would he dare? Had the safe already been rifled? But even so I should at least be no worse off than when I had arrived in Paris. As the days wore away, and the memory of the man grew fainter I came to despise and disregard his powers for mischief. ,

It did seem unnecessary that I should have to wait three weeks while Magniff, Sr., was fashioning a new key for my safe. But I inferred that he was in reality utilising this period to make inquiries in Canada concerning me; consequently I became more tranquil in mind. I sent my friend Eetelle Christie the ten pounds which she had lent me and settled down to live frugally at the Pension Anglaise with my remaining |450. At the worst I should have enough with which to return to Winnipeg. A little more than a week of my probationary period had elapsed, when one morning our landlady announced that two gentlemen were awaiting me in the reception room. Instantly I thought of Magniff and the Greek. “Tell them that I will not see them-" I answered. j The landlady appeared shocked. "But, Moes Ives, they are of the quality, assuredly,” she protested. "An old gentleman and a young one. And the latter —what build, what figure! I thought to have the pleasure to congratulate mademoiselle,” she continued teasingly. The comte and the chevalier! It could not be! And yet. whom else did I know? But, if It were they, how could they have discovered my abode? “They sent up no cards?” I asked my hostess.

“No, mademoiselle. But see, only see them and certainly you will not refuse them an Interview. 'Ver' Important business’ —those were their words.”

“Tell them I will be down in a few moments,” I answered,' and began to arrange my hair for the interview. In the midst of brushing it I halted angrily. My heart was pounding in my throat in the most discomfiting way. Why, I asked myself, sternly, why did I go to this trouble about my personal appearance for the sake of each mortal enemies? And why was I so agitated? I could not solve the problem. and twisting up my hair hastily. I descended the stairs, trying to regain control over my nerves. It was as I had surmised. The comte and the chevalier were waiting for me In the reception room, both faultlessly attired in morning clothes. They rose, each with a low bow, upon my entrance. Both looked extremely grave, and neither evinced the slightest sign of having previously seen me. I motioned each to a chair, but they remained standing. ' ■ w ... Now, though I bad determined to greet them* with the barest courtesy, this turning of the tables upon myself affected me almost to tears of rage.

(COPYRIGH T t®l> WG CHAPMAN)

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

ft la a woman’s privilege to control the t—taramrs Of acquaintanceship, and thia immaculate young man, playing whatever part ha might be, whether of aviator, diplomat or anything else, seemed always to have the advantage over me in the maneuvering. "What can I do for you, gentlemen?” I asked In my meet disdainful voice. They did not know hew wildly my heart beat "First, mademoiselle, |pt me say, in case you suspect us of espionage, that we obtained your address through your friend, Mrs. Christie,” said the chevalier. I nodded coldly. “I am not in the habit of accusing persons of espionage,” I answered. - "Then the old saying is false.” he answered. "Evidently, in this case, like does not turn to like." ' "What do you mean, sir?” I demanded indignantly. "I mean.” said the chevalier, doggedly, “how much do you want for those papers?" I looked from one to the other, inquiringly. The old comte now came forward and motioned to bis grandson to withdraw. "You are too Impetuous a diplomat, my dear Charles," he suavely. “Now, Miss Ives,” he continued, "let us come to the point as persons of affairs. How much money do you demand to restore to us those papers

“And So,” I Said Bitterly, “You Suspect Me of Being the Thief?”

which you pilfered from my grandson’s coat pocket while he was entertaining you as his guest within the abbey?” 1 gasped for words. “How dare you Insult me!” I stammered —and the observation seems trite enough now, when I recall it Perhaps it was my intonation, my expression of outraged Innocence, that disillusioned him. <At any rate he seemed perceptibly embarrassed, and as he hesitated, I recovered my composure. “Will you have the goodness to explain yourselves In full, gentlemenT’ I said, with withering scorn. "With pleasure, mademoiselle,” answered the comte. “The facts are simple. As you should know, my grandson here accompanied me to England, recently, ostensibly as a member of the French military mission in the coronation; actually to ne gotiate an Important treaty between England and France, in which three foreign powers are vitally interested. "We were warned that emissaries of these powers were prepared to go to all lengths to obtain a draft of the treaty. To render it absolutely secure. my grandson kept only a few rough Jottings of the French government’s proposals upon a piece of paper in his coat pocket He thought that none would have suspected he would carry it there. This paper was stolen from his pocket at the doors of Westminster abbey.” "And so," I said, bitterly, "you suspect me of being the thief?" He was silent from courtesy, but I could see that I had not shaken his conviction. "What else should It be. mademoiselle?” he asked, quietly. “Remember, when we extended our impulsive hospitality to you we did not even know your name.” Here was my chance. How I had longed for it! And every word should now go home at last. “If I am a spy and thief and traitor,” I answered, “then I dishonor a noble family as well as myself. Shall I tell you from whom I am deseended?” He bowed with deference. ‘lf mademoiselle pleases,” he answered. ‘T am of French extraction," I responded. "My father's name was Jules d'Yves”—l saw him start —"and his father was, and is. Comte d'Yves of Clichy.” There was a dead silence in the room. Then, as the base floated from before my eyes, I saw both men gripping their chairs, regarding me with amazement, blended, I think, with fear. ’ —V*- -

"Yes,” I went on bitterly, not earIng what I said, “my father was driv-en-from his home, disowned, and left to starve in a foreign land by those who should have been proud to acknowledge him. I am his daughter, and I am proud to ba And lam neither thief nor spy. Good morning, gentlemen.** * Just as I had peached the door the comte found voice. “Come back!” he pleaded, in such an altered, abject tone that my anger died away and pity succeeded it. A sudden vision came to me of the lone ly old man, perhaps torn with secret remorse for his unfatherty crime, perhaps longing tor ' those approaches wMeh my father had been too proud to -You are Anne dTTvoor muttered the old man, approaching mo with outotrstahod ante. Suddenly ha took my

face between his hands and ganad into my eyes with snob Tiaaignanns that I fait my own grow wet. "Charles, oome here,” ho said. "She has the eyes of my eon Jules. It is true. Bee — why, do not weep, child!" Hie arms were round me now, and 1 —Just at the moment of my completed triumph—l was crying. And It was upon his shoulder, too. He sustained me like a lover. O, my dear grandfather, I recall now with what a practiced hand you wiped away my tears. How many women’s tears had you wiped away when you were young—young, like the chevalier? What I have always wondered at Is that neither of the two for the least moment distursted me. “My dear grandchild,” said the old comte, when L grew calm, “the mem ory of my treatment of your father embittered my whole life. Often I sought to find him, but he was too proud to be reconciled. Now it is too late. But I shall lavish on you the tenderness that I have lavished on him so often In imagination.” Then, at his request. I told him the entire story of my visit to Europe, not omitting mention of Leopold Magniff and Zeuxis. I ended with a brief account of my interview with the old banker. "Describe this Greek, this Zeuxis.” he said, when I added that I thought 1 had seen his face in the crowd at the coronation. “Has he a scar running diagonally across his cheek, from mouth to eyebrow?" "He has!” I cried. “You know the man ?’’ “I do,” answered- my grandfather and the chevalier nodded his assent. “You have described a well-known spy in the service of the Italian government. Beyond all doubt, Charles, it was he who stole the papers from your coat pocket He is a sleight-of-hand expert, and was once a pickpocket 1 believe, though now he flies at higher game.”

A sudden revelation came to me. “Then this must be the coup of which Leopold Magniff boasted to me,” I cried. “Undoubtedly the scheme had been already hatched on the boat when he let it out to me in a drunken moment." ' " They both assented. “You are right, my dear child,” said the comte. "But now, the point ie, how can we recover the draft of the treaty? It may have been already sold to the triple alliance; on the other hand, it is in so fragmentary a condition and reveals so little that the conspirators may be holding it back with a view to obtaining a higher price from France.” “If they have already obtained possession of my bonds,” I hazarded, “they may hold them as the price of immunity.” “They cannot dispose of them,” said my grandfather. “At least, they can but conceal them and prevent yon from obtaining them.” Then I told them of my agreement with the banker, omitting nothing, not even the motive that had inspired me “And so you wished to help him in his designs against Clichy, little Aiine,” said the old comte mournfully, when I had concluded, “God help us all; the old estate must pass to this arch-conspirator. It is now nearly a year since he unveiled his motive to me. I, he says, snubbed him in his younger days, when be purchased the estate next mine. Well, perhaps so, and thus I am rightly punished. Times change greatly, and the old order passes. But it will be hard on your mother, Charles.” “He told me that he will have your property within two weeks,” I said. “Unless twelve thousand francs of interest appear mysteriously out of a clear sky, I think he will,” the comte answered. “And doubtless you understand now why he was so anxious to purchase your bonds, and why he has apparently succeeded ” “Yes,” I replied. “He feared that I should place you in possession of them and so enable you to pay off the mortgage on Clichy.” The comte shook his head mournfully. “But that is the reason that his son Leopold gave me when we talked on the boat,” I exclaimed. "Is it possible that either of that shrewd pair believed you to be so altruistic as to be willing to present them gratis to an old man, to save hie lands, Anne? No, my dear. It Is because, so long as those bonds were in your possession, you could have rendered him bankrupt” "But he has millions!” I cried incredulously. "And your bonds are worth, potentially, billions,” answered my grandfather. "Let me explain the matter to you, Anne. "When the American government purchased the old, worthless Panama bonds from the French company, the holders. dispersed as they were throughout the length and breadth of Franca, were glad to let them go for a song. Magniff A Co. noted as brokers, on the French side, and they made an enormous fortune. But, by the terms of their contract, they bound themselves to deliver all the bonds to America, in return for so many millions of dollars. "They actually did deliver all except the small parcel which you hold. They searched for these and could not find them. They advertised —in vain. Nobody responded to their offer to purchase them. They concluded, not unnaturally, that they had been lost or destroyed and would never turn up. "AH this while the bonds were lying in their own safety deposit vault in your own father's name. He knew nothing of the demand for them, and I, of course, did not imagine otherwise than that he bad already - disposed of them to Magniff. Now, my dear Anno, do you understand why your bonds are so valuable?" 1

"Not Quite.” I responded, still pu» -Wecanee Magniff A Co., in taking this chance, ‘sold short,' as the stock exchange would say. They sold all the bonds. But they did not hold all —they did not hold yours. In consequence, they are legally compelled to deliver those bonds to the American government the very. Instant when they come to light They must deliver them, at any price. If you had chosen, you could have appraised them at a billion francs apiece, and still Magniff must have purchased them. You held him in the hollow of your hand, as he and bls scoundrelly son knew well. And, Anne, you have been badly outwitted by the old banker. Well, he was fighting for his existence; I have no blame for him." “And with that fortune I could have recovered Clichy for you,” I sobbed. "But Clichy has recovered you,” answered my grandfather, placing one band caressingly upon my shoulder. “Henceforward, Anne, your home will be with us —at least, so long as we have a home,” he ended. “And now, Charles,” he continued, “I have monopolized our relative enough. I shall go for a walk and leave you two young people together.” “Oh, please.” I begged, blushing foolishly again. Rut the old gentleman made his exit with a final bow and left us both looking at each other in an uncommonly sheepish way. “I —I want to ask yob something.” Charles murmured presently. Then, since I did not discourage him, he continued: *“ls it, then, true that you are unmarried- in spite of the ring you wore?” My Tace was so crimson now that 1 could only cover it with my hands. But somehow he read assent in my act, for in a moment he was at my side. “Why did you wear it, sun-goddess?” he asked, and I felt him raise my fingers to his lips. “Was it to cast me into the depths of hopelessness and despair?” “Why should you despair for me, monsieur?” I asked. “Because I love you, sun-goddess,” he answered rapturously. “I loved you that first moment when you stepped so bravely into my monoplane at the aviation meet and soared with me into the empyrean. And, when I lost you, I knew that I must find you again, though I had to search all London. Then, when you were so miraculously restored to me at the abbey doors, you brought back the zest of living to me again. And then —that fatal ring! Why did you wear it. Anne?" "Because I knew that it would be better should you never turn your thoughts on me,” I managed to whisper. "We were enemies, mortal enemies, then.” “But never more,” .be cried. "Anne, sun-goddess, do you love me a little—* enough to become my wife?” I did. I knew I did. I knew, too. that it had been love, not hatred, which I had always felt for him, love which, released at last from its bonds, welled up spontaneously within my heart into a broad river of joy. "Say that you love me, Anne," he pleaded, his arms about me. “I —I love you,” I murmured, and I felt his Ups on mine. “When will you marry me, Anne?*’ he asked, presently. Slowly I disengaged myself. In those rapturous moments I had for*

“I—I Love You," I Murmured, and 1 Felt Xis Ups to Mine.

gotten the mesh of circumstances that had been woven round us. Now the memory of them recurred to me. “Some day,” I answered, “when oar troubles are over, Charles. When we have conquered our enemies.” With that he had to rest content. I did not feel that it would be decorous to yield too much within a single hour. Later that afternoon the mother of Charles called in her victoria and took me to their town residence. She would be satisfied with nothing but that I should become their guest 1 pleaded, however, that I must wait at the pension until the three weeks had elapsed, that the banker might readily find me should he desire to, since •be could hardly comnrnmicat* with me at the home .of his enemies. However, I compromised by consenting to pay a tew days’ visit to Clichy at the end of the week.

CHAPTER VI. Mascot of Castio Cilehy. (Xn which I sere my m*n<lfather*s estate from the dutches of his Ilfs enemy.) I was at Castle Clichy, tn my grandtether's home, and the home of my ancestor through Innumerable UOu*« Merer, tn my most extravagant dreams had I imagined that sadh a

consummation of my journey would occur. I had set out from Winnipeg filled with hatred toward those kinafolk who had disowned my father and left him to die in need in a far country. And here I was, the guest of my grandfather and his widowed daughter, and engaged to my halfcousin, Charles. But for the present the engagement was to be kept secret That I insisted upon. I determined that I would win the hearts of his relatives also before allowing him to present me to them as his future bride. I could not but fear that the old comte might treat him as he had treated my father. On the third morning after my arrival I wrote to Mary Jenner, my room-mate in Winnipeg, for the first time since my departure. “When I tell you that I am actually in my grandfather’s chateau,“ I wrote, "you will open your eyes wide, tn that taking way you have, and be glad that I am not there to say, T told you so.' For were you not the ringleader In the conspiracy to keep me at home till the close of the school year, when, we were to make up a party to see Europe? And, lAry dear, Ido hope that scheme has not fallen through. Come to France, and a royal welcome awaits you. “Hare you pursued your acquaintance with little Mr. Spratt? Poor little man! I have not yet glanced inside the covers of the monumental work of his upon the Code Napoleon, which he presented to me so proudly at the moment of my departure. Be good to him, Mary, and make a man of him. He’s timid with ladies, so "don’t be afraid to give him encouragement. “And now you’ll want to know about Castle Clichy, Mary. It is the very quaintest place—all early Norman, with bastions and moats and battlements, set in the midst of an enormous park, and most delightfully feudal. But by the time you receive this it won’t be in the possession of our family any longer. Fancy being turned* out of your home after you have inhabited it for eight hundred years! But we’re wretchedly poor and in the hands of an unscrupulous banker, one Magniff by name, who owns a mortgage on us, and unless we can obtain twelve thousand francs —$2,400 —within a few days, to meet the interest. Clichy passes out of our hands forever. “This Magniff is the most avaricious scoundrel imaginable, except his son. who’s worse. Mary, he’s agreed to pay ' me SIO,OOO for those bonds of mine you always laughed about, when the safe is opened next week. And so I thought 1 might just as well pay off the interest on the mortgage out of it. I wrote to him, asking him to advance me $2,400, and he curtly refused. He fees a grudge against-my grandfather and means to turn him out of his home. I went to Paris to plead with him, and he sent out word he would not see me. Think of it; my grandfarther must lose his property when, lose than a week afterward, I shall receive enough money tp have saved it many times over! Well, I’ve done my beak and there’s no use crying over it now. "Come to France, Mary, and all of you, right soon. I embrace you and salute you, as we French say. "P. S. I’m quite French- now!" I did not convey in this letter th* sense of impotence, the burning anger with which the banker's conduct had inspired me. When I had proposed to my grandfather that he let me meet the interest due out of the proceed* from the bonds, he seemed to realise the futility of the attempt. “It’s no use, my little Anne,” he said. "I thank you from the depths of my heart But you will be beating against a granite wall. Magniff means to have Clichy, and he won’t advance you a penny until the vault is opened. Then, nothing can be done.” And, as I have described.in my letter to Mary, I beat in> vain against the granite wall of Magniff’s vindictive hatred. Now we were already setting our affairs in order, packing our few cherished mementoes, ready to leave. There was pitifully little that we could take with us. The castle was indeed, as Magniff had so graphically portrayed it, “as bare as a hound’s tooth.” All the furnishings of its seven and forty rooms since disappeared, save those of the half dozen in the right wing where we lived, attended only by old servants who would not be dismissed. Costly pictures, tapestries, armor, whole sets of Sevres, had gone into the maw of Magniff, being sacrificed to meetthe ever-recur-ring Indebtedness. For twenty years —ever since the failure of the original Panama company had ruined the comte —this process of depletion had been continued. Now our sparse furniture would basely have accommodated a family in a six-room flat “But they shall never take our monoplane,,” said the chevalier, as we stood within the hangar and looked at the gigantic, graceful bird, which seemed to float airily upon the planking that supported it “I would rather burn it, give it the baptism of death in that fiery element toward which we ascended together on that first day of our meeting, sun-goddess." The memory brought tears to my eyes. “Chartee,” I said, “they shall never take Clichy from yoa!” “Not if your wishes were dollarn. sun-goddess,” be answered, gaily. <TO bb cojrronnED.)

His Economical Mind.

Mr. Summerman —“Is it true that wince coming up here you've engaged yourself to Billy, Harry, Ed and George, aa well as to myself?" Miss you have any objection to aH of ua chipping in to buy the engagement