Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1915 — Page 2

SYNOPSIS. Ann* It**, mascot by reputation, atarta from Winnipe* for London to attend th* coronation of King Georg*. H*r father had oom* to America following a quarrel With hl* father. Comte d'Tve* of France. Ann*** father, at hl* death, left her a key to a strong box containing bond* of th* defunct French Panama Canal eompany.The box la in th* vault* of Magntff & Co,, Pari* banker*. On the ateamer Anne meet* the diaaolute son of Magntff. who, not knowing her Identity, tell* her of a •chemo to get hold of the canal bonds and extort money from Magniff. Anne volunteer* to go a* a passenger with a French contestant at an aviation meet In London. The Frenchman wins, but disappears without disclosing hi* Identity. She meets him again In the crowd •if YEMimlnstar abbey and aceom pa nlea him to the coronation. She learns that he la her cousin. Chevalier d’Tve*. and that his companion Is h*r grandfather. Compte d’Yves. Sharing her father’s hate for the family. Anne abruptly leaves the abbey. She loses her purse, and borrows money to go to Pari*. On the way she meets an official of the aviation meet who. thinking her the wife of the winner, forces on her the prise of 500 pounds. She learns that Banker Magniff is extremely bitter against her grandfather and holds a mortgage on the ancestral home. niff tell* her a new key must be made for the box. He Induces her to sign an agreement to sell him the bond* for 50,000 franca Young Magntff return* Anne* purse, but disclaim* all knowledge of the key to the strong box. The chevalier and his grandfather call on Anne regarding Important diplomatic papers which were stolen from the chevalier In London. Ann*. In her Indignation at being suspected. discloses her Identity and the comte takes her to his arm* The chevalier declares his love and finds that it is reciprocated

CHAPTER Vl—Continued. 5 -- “But they shall not,” I repeated, frowning. "Charles, you know I am a mascot. All my friends have told me that Did I not bring luck to you as a passenger in the machine? And didn t I get Estelle Christie Inside the abbey to see the coronation? I say that Clichy shall never fall into Magniff's hands Why, has it withstood seven Beiges by the English and two by Burgundy, not to speak of countless gallant defenses in olden times against Frenchmen themselves; in the wars of the Fronde, against the Huguenots, against Henry of Navarre and Richelieu, even that it should succumb now to a paltry mortgage? “Bravo,” said Charles, clapping his hands. "Your eyes flash fire, dear inns If they were mortars and used in our defense, 1 warrant Clichy should never go under.” "Mock me as you please,” I answered. a little petulantly. Clichy shall be saved, or 1 will never be called mascot again.”

Thursday came, the last day accorded us, and the interest was as far off as ever. It was a sad gathering that morning at the breakfast table. Everything was packed, and we were to remove to the little cottage at Rambouillet owned by the comte’s daughter, where they hoped to find a precarious existence for a while on a few thousand francs that remained of her dowry. _ "It will last us a year, Anne,” said the comte grimly. "And then —well. I am not likely to see the next And Charles can take care of his mother somehow." I could not restrain a sob. "But my money from Magniff!" 1 cried. “You must take it; I can earn my own living in future, as in the past On that you can live decently, at least” The comte smiled sadly. "We’ll talk of that when the time comes, Anne,” he answered. “At least we are not yet dispossessed.” "Nor shall be," I replied defiantly. "Does not the law give three days’ grace to us?" “Three days or thirty,” answered the chevalier, "it is all one to us now." And while we still sat talking over our plans, we saw a smartly fitted dogcart turn up the drive and there descended —Leopold Magniff, Jr.! . I confess that I was thoroughly unnerved at the sight of this man. I had never believed that he would dare to cross my path again. The memory of my threats which he had made on the occasion of our last interview recurred to me and afflcted me with a presentment of -overwhelming horror.

He came in jauntily, bowing to all of us, an affectation of regretful humility hardly concealing an air of obvious triumph. The comte and the chevalier arose grimly and stood confronting him, like two statues of stone.

"Monsieur,” said <sur visitors, addressing each alternately, and becoming disconcerted as neither appeared to recognise his remarks, but merely stood to receive him —“monsieur, it is with deep regret that I come to receive the Interest upon my father’s mortgage or. tn default, to take possession ot the chateau.” Then at last the comte spoke, and each word seemdd wrenched from the fibers of his heart. "We cannot meet the interest. The rhatean is at your disposal.” "Stop!” I cried. "The la A allows three days of grace, I believe.’' Magniff turned toward me and so, 1 he answered. "But it permits me to take possession Immediately pending this .period.” The’old comte touched a bell and

ANNE IVES: MASCOT H.M. EGBERT

P ILLUSTRATIONS

ILLUSTRATIONS BY O.IRWIN MYERS

Jean Casaeroy, the ancient butler, entered. "Take this gentleman to his apartment,” he said. “Obey his orders and make him comfortable. The 11* brary will be at his disposal." Magniff, thoroughly disconcerted, stood glowering at the comte, uncertain whether to bluster or to accept this most distant hospitality. And, then, with a most charming courteousnesa of which, I am sure, I should never have been capable, the chevalier's mother arose.

”1 shall see to it that your sheets are aired, monsieur,” she said, smiling as though he were the moat welcome guest. “The grounds are at your disposal ; pray make yourself master here." Magniff swung on his heel and strode sullenly out of the room in the wake of the old servitor. You may as well leave tomorrow, Anne,” said my grandfather. “Every moment spent here now is a humiliation.” I took him by the arm and patted his trembling hand., I knew that the departure from Clichy would quickly snap the thread of his still vigorous life. Though I no longer hoped for rescue, I was resolved that we should hold out to the uttermosL “Grandfather,” I said, “when Richelieu invested Castle Chichy and the last ounce of powder had been fired, the last atom of provision gone, Clichy did not surrender. And, at the last instant, rescue came. Let us fight to the uttermost. Let us remain till Sunday.” A dull fire gleamed in the old comte's eyes. “You are quite right, my dear,” he answered. “What do you say, Charles ?” "She is right,” answered the chevalier. “It was a woman like you, Anne, who inspired our ancient defenders, as you inspire us today.” Friday came, then Saturday. But a bare four-and-tw’enty hours remained. Magniff had not ventured to leave his apartment during the period that had elapsed, but on the morning of the last day but one I encountered him in the grounds. I think he had been watching for me.

“Watt a moment, mademoiselle,’’ he exclaimed, as I made to hasten past him. "A moment only. Will you not believe nfe when I say bow profoundly I regret the part I have to play? Let me assure you, I have no enmity against your grandfather.” '"Then why are you here—how did you dare come here?” I asked Indignantly.

"It was to see you,” he answered. "Now do not go. mademoiselle. I knew that you had met your relatives and become reconciled, and gone to reside with them. Meanwhile, my father and I have become reconciled, also. And nothing would content him but that I should assume this odious role of

"And I Believe You Did, Liar and Thief,” I Cried.

bailiff. He wished me to keep you under surveillance.”

"Oh, that was unnecessary,” I retorted. "Nor does it seem probable, since he refused to see me when I called at the bank, nor deigned to answer the letter I wrote him. And, besides, in less than a week, I am due at his office to receive payment*for my bonds. Oh, I assure you he is not so vitally concerned about me.” Magniff stepped up close to me and every atom of sincerity left his face. “Miss Ives,” he said bluntly, “you are living in a fool's paradise. Believe me, you are on the verge of complete ruin, and so is the chevalier. No, do not look so disdainful, for assuredly you will come to a realisation of that fact unless you accept my proposal. He will not lose Clichy alone; he will lose his liberty, perhaps his life. The loss of his estate will be as nothing in comparison with the shame that will be his, that will send down his grandfather into an unhallowed grave.” He bent his face until It almost touched mine, and hissed in my ear: “He sold the treaty!” "Impossible!” I cried, starting from him. “Improbable to the uttermost, but trive,*’ Magniff rejoined. told you

(COPYRIOMT Illi WG CHAPMAN)

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

on the occasion of our last encounter certain thing* derogatory to hl* character. You refused to hear me. Lieten now! He ha* a reputation for wildness second to none In Pari*. It was to pay hi* gambling debts, debt* which he had concealed from hl* grandfather from very shame, that he sold the draft of the Anglo-French treaty to the triple alliance. Doubtless he has accused me.” "And I believe you did, liar and thief,” I cried. He only laughed. “If you persist in your refusal to see things as they are. Miss Ives,” be said with Intense earnestness, “then I must abandon you to your fate. I only warn you that the net of evidence has been woven around him. He cannot escape it. His arrest is Imminent Only you yourself can save him. Say the word that will avail, and I will see to it that the vital evidence Is missing, that he remains unscathed. Marry me!” “Never!” I cried. ”1 loathe you and despise you.” "I am unfortunately aware of that," he answered. “Nevertheless, you shall have the completes! liberty. Until 1 win your love I shall never molest you. You will be free to come and to go; I only ask you to go through the form of the ceremony with me.” “You may plead forever.” I.Alfa swered, “but you will waste yotlf breath. I do not believe a word of your concoction of falsehoods, and, if I did, I would not marry you.” “Not to save Clichy?” "How —how —?” I stammered. "Marry me and, on the day of the ceremony—as soon as the union has been pronounced—l will present your grandfather with a full and free release.”

"You will induce your father to forego his revenge?” I cried. "You lack the power monsieur. Not for a thousand worlds would he be balked now, after these years of scheming.” “He must,” answered Leopold. "I have him in my power. He knows it; that is why he made terms with me.” . "How?” - "Because I hold your*bonds,” he answered. “You know their value now.” “They are his; I have sold them.” "Anne,” said by persecutor, “we are wasting words. Can I never convince you? Listen! Give me your solemn promise to marry me and, on the morning of the ceremony I will restore Clichy to your grandfather. And the chevalier shall go free.”

"Wait—wait!” I cried desperately, trying to pierce the tangled net of cunning that surrounded me. “Give me until tomorrow to make my decision.” Suddenly he seized my hand.

“O, Anne, be wise,” he cried. "I love you; I worship you; you are the one woman 1 have loved out of all who have come into my life. You can redeem me with your goodness. Marry me and I swear to heaven that I will adore you, I will be your slave. I will consecrate my life to you. 1 love you Anne.”

And falling at my feet, he poured forth a more impassioned plea to me. It was impossible to mistake the sincerity of his passion; I could not bui recognize that in this, at least, he was not base. I turned away and left him kneeling in the path.

In the hallway I met Charles. I feared that he would see my agitated face, but his own was so distressed that I feared that the greatest of sorrows must have come to him. "The comte!” I gasped; and then I noticed that in one hand he held a can of kerosene. .. "My monoplane,” he answered wildly. “I am going to burn her, Anne. She shall never fall into his clutches, she who bore us aloft that splendid day—” "I took the can from him. “Wait until tomorrow, Charles,” I whispered. “Much may happen by then.” I left him standing irresolute and went up to my room and sat down in a chair; I did not weep. My brain was in a whirl, and a thousand thoughts and doubts oppressed me. Magniff’s threats, his infamous suggestions as to the honor of my fiance, the imminent loss of Clichy—all this presented aspects and I strove dimly to pierce to the heart of the problem which confronted me.

If I married Magniff, Clichy would at least be saved. That seemed the chief consideration. My happiness — that of Charles, even, was nothing compared to the preservation of the old home that had withstood so many vicissitudes. Other women, braver than I, had sacrificed themselves in the past for Chateau Clichy. Then why not I, even though I should kill myself afterwards? Then, in the midst of these cogitations there flashed into my mind, in the most incongruous way, the memory of Mr. Spratt.

Angrijy I sought to free myself from this recollection. What had this little Winnipeg teacher to do with my present troubles? He was the last, the very last and least thought that should come to me. But my mind wandered, and again I seemed to see him bidding me a timid farewell upon the Winnipeg platform. “My great work. Miss Ives,” he panted, offering me the code. “The work of many years. Take it; you will need it in France.” His odious little rabbit-like face rose up so plainly in my mind’s eye that I seemed to visualize him in the room, and I pressed my fingers hard upon my eyelids in a fruitless effort to dismiss him. I rose at last, still miserably uncertain. My suitcase lay packed upon the bureau and, opening it idly, I caught sight of that wretched gift of Mr. Spratt to me. I raised it; an envelope fell from beneath the paper cover. I opened it—and recoiled with a suppressed scream. Five bank-notes, of the value of one hundred pounds apiece, fluttered upon

the floor. Five hundred pound*! Twen-ty-live hundred dollar*. twelve thousand five hundred francs! The interest upon the mortgage! It was the prize money that Charts* had won that day in England when he made his aeroplane flight with me, which the secretary of the aviation meet, obstinately assuming me to be his wife, had thrust Into my hands that evening of our chance encounter at Charing Cross station. I had put the money away in Mr. Spratt's book and wholly forgotten it. I think I must have gone mad with joy, for I ran down the stairs, waving the money wildly, shouting incoherently. On the way down I encountered Charles. I shook the bank-notes Into hl* face and rushed on past him. The comte and his daughter were in the drawing room and came out as I descended; I waved the money at them and ran on into the library. Magniff was there, seated in an arm chair.

“then

“Go! Never Let Me See You Again.”

reading a newspaper. As I entered he rose and came toward me, a light of triumph in his eyes. “You have come to accept, Anne, he cried. - “I have come to pay your blood fee,” I cried wildly, and flung the notes down on the table. .“Take these and go. Go! Never let me see you again. You understand?” I babbled on. “Go! Go!” Then everything swam around me. The old comte caught me. from behind and supported me as I fell fainting into his arms.

CHAPTER VII. The Stolen Treaty. * (Magnfff lays down his hand, and I find his cards stacked.) At last the day arrived on which the safe containing my bonds was to be opened. My bonds, I say—well, hardly mine, since I had blindly sold them to the banker for a paltry $lO,000, not knowing their value to him, when I might have utilized his need of them to force Magniff to release my grandfather from his mortgage. I reflected with some bitterness upon my folly. Still, even SIO,OOO was not to be despised. That would enable my grandfather to meet his interest and thus retain Clichy for at least two years, during which period much might occur. ~

' Ab to the future of myself and Charles I dared not think. Marriage was out of the question under the present circumstances. Every penny that cbulf be scraped together had gone to pay the interest on that miserable mortgage, and in three months more the interest must again be met “We shall be driven to giving exhibitions in our monoplane for a bare living, sun-goddess,” said Charles to me, gaily. I could not re-echo my fiance’s mirth. Since the loss or thett of the treaty draft Charles had been suspended from his office in the diplomatic service of France. I feared, too, that suspicion had fallen on him. He had no other source of Income than his meager pay as captain In an infantry regiment, from which he had been detached for special service of the state.

Despite the fact that, In accordance with my agreement with the financier, I tyas to receive >IO,OOO upon the safe being opened, I arose on the appointed morning after a restless night, overwhelmed with misgivings. Empty and vain as they appeared to be, I could not but recall Leopold Magniff’s threats, his self-confident assurances that the chevalier and I stood on the brink of ruin. What schemes had he prepared torus? What might he not have done, being in possession of my key, as I felt sure he was? I voiced my fears at the breakfast table, but Charles laughed them away. Much as he hated us. he argued, Leopold Magniff would hardly dare utilise his possession of my key to remove the bonds from the safe, since they could not be negotiated, and he would merely be placing himself within the grasp of the law. “You will find the bonds in the safe, Anne,” said Charles optimistically. “Or, rather, we shall.” “You will come with met* I cried, and all my fears and doubts immediately resolved themselves. We asked advice of my grandfather, who cordially approved of the chevalier’s suggestion. “For you see,” ho said, “our little Anne came to us in such an unexpected fashion that she is liable to disappear/ perhaps In ths guise of sours beneficent fairy, after having saved Clichy to us, if we permit her to go to Paris alone.” "Never fear that you will lose me, until you are tired of me, grandfather,” I answered. The old comte had changed coniMably during the brief period .that I had known htau His great age—eightyfbur, appeared to have begun at length to manifest itself. Not that his vigor

of mind or body was in any manner Impaired, but I could discern that he had begun to detach himself, with that natural change which comes upon the very old, from the more active and external interests of life. I believe that in my coming he beheld a pardon for his crime in driving my father from his roof —a crime which he had repented bitterly through all those years that had elapsed since that unhappy time. Charles and I set off for Paris by an early train. We traveled through the pleasant, fertile fields of Normandy, among little old villages where life seemed at once no simple and so kindly that it required rfome little effort of will to realise that we were, perhaps, rushing into an unknown danger, that the activities of many enemies might even now have laid a Jrap for our undoing. I had revealed to my fiance the story of Magniff’s threats, omitting, of course, his vile suggestions that Charles had been a traitor and sold the treaty. Charles did not receive the news so lightly as I had expected. "Let us go straight ahead, confident in our own integrity, Anne,” he answered. "Then let them do their worst They cannot harm us; treachery always recoils upon itself, be it never so cunningly contrived.” We were so fortunate as to have a compartment to ourselves. It was so charming to be seated together, side by side. Charles placed his arm round me and drew me to him. "Will you -let me announce our engagement, Anne?” he pleaded. “It is surely realized at home. My grandfather and mother know we love one another. Besides, if any danger does threaten us, I tan protect you better as my wife.” “You travel very rapidly, monsieur," I answered. "A moment ago it was merely an announcement of the engagement that you required. And now you end the sentence by proposing another relationship.” "When we reach Paris I shall show you the office of a registrar,” he answered. “There we shall be formally betrothed. And then—” "Yes, monsieur V I said, with feigned coolness. • “I shall serve formal notice upon my mother and grandfather of our betrothal, In accordance with the pro; visions of the Code Napoleon,” he, answered. I had listened with beating heart to the unfolding of these proposals, but the mention of the code brought instantly to my memory the image of little Mr. Spratt, presenting me with his famous code. “Take this volume . . . my life-work ... a compiliatlon of love . . . you will need it abroad,” the little man had gasped as handed it to me. And now in every crisis of my life, it seemed, the vision of Mr. Spratt was destined to arise like some specter confronting me. I became suddenly silent.

Charles carried out his program. Upon our arrival at the terminus he hurried me along a maze of small side streets, up a narrow staircase and into the presence of the registrar. There we complied with the formalities which the famous code prescribed. We were betrothed —an incident, merely, in Anglo-Saxon countries, but here a matter of severe formality, and necessary preliminary to a marriage. But I leaned happily upon his arm as we descended the narrow staircase. The happiness, the perfect joy in the irrevocability of the step, thrilled me. Winnipeg seemed like a distant memory of some former, dimly remembered existence at that moment.

“And now, should anything befall me I shall be content,” he said as we descended to the street. , Often those words recurred to me afterwards.

We arrived at the bank and sent in our cards. I could not avoid a thrill of expectation as to the outcome; would Magniff refuse to see me? But he did not He would see both of us, he said, and we were ushered almost immediately into his private office. There he sat, half buried among his ledgers, as on the occasion of my former visit to him; but this time he was attended by a couple of severe-tooking functionaries in semi-uniform. He bowed distantly to Charles and bade us be seated. , “The Chevalier d’Yves attends, I take it, as an interested party,” said Magniff, looking at me through his gold glasses. There was a peculiar expression upon his features; a sort of cunning triumph, as though he held the situation perfectly in hand. We bowed our acknowledgment to the suggestion. Then, at a summons by bell, a messenger brought in the agreement which I had signed three weeks before. “Your name is Anne Ives,” Magniff said rapidly, glancing over the document. “You claim to be the granddaughter of the Comte d’Yves, of Clichy, Normandy, and the possessor of certain bonds now in one of our safes. You have sold these to me for 50.000 francs, payable upon delivery.” As I admitted each of these several propositions the banker handed the document to the functionaries, who glanced at it, swiftly, and then at me and Chgrles.

“The dpulicate key has been fashioned,” Magniff continued, “and these gentlemen are the government officials whose presence at the unlocking of the safe is required under the Code Napoleon.” ' The pale and studious face of little Mr. Spratt stood out before my eyes with startling dearness. “Then let us proceed to the vaults,” said Magniff, and we all rose and followed Mm. The functionaries dosed In around us in a significant manner, almost as though we were prisoners, I thought, and as though the vaults were destined to be our dungeon. We proceeded by a subterranean

stone stairway into the depths of the earth, emerging through an iron doorway into a huge room, lighted by electric light, around which innumerable safety compartments were arranged. Nobody else was there, except a janitor who stood at a door at the far end. which communicated by a flight of steps, with the street outside. Magniff led us to the safe and handed the key to me. “It has not been opened for thirty yearn,” he said. "You may find the hinges stiffened. Nevertheless the Code Napoleon prescribes that you yourself shall open it. If it is beyond your power, doubtless, the chevalier will hold your fingers. But he must not unlock the safe." . I made no answer, but stepped forward and fitted the key into the lock, turning it until I obtained the combination. The functionaries, apparently inspired by intense interest, drew close, one on each side of me. The heavy door swung open easily. Inside the safe I saw a bundle of papers. My hand shook so, from excitement, that I could barely lay hold of them. "Observe! Her hand trembles, Gaston!” I heard one of the officials say to the other In a stage whisper. I drew the papers from their resting place and banded them to Magniff. "Pray examine these, and, if you find that they are made out correctly, complete the contract,” I said. “You again claim, before these gentiemen,” said the banker, “that these are your own Panama bonds?" “Indubitably,” I answered. Magniff signaled to the officials, and they came up to me. He glanced at the papers and began to shuffle them rapidly. One sheet became detached and fluttered to the ground. It was a doubled piece of notepaper, such as used anywhere for correspondence, and it was covered with minute writing. Suddenly Charles darted forward.

"The treaty!" he exclaimed, and grasped for it One of the officials stooped; his hands met those of my fiance. As they rose I heard something click. The chevalier was handcuffed? The second man stepped-up to him and touched him on the shoulder. “Charles Victor Sebastian, Chevalier d’Yves," he said. “I arrest you for espionage and theft of a secret government document"

Charles was too stupefied to attempt resistance, even if the thought had entered his head. I stared from one to the other of the group, still mystified. I had not yet fully comprehended. Magniff whispered to the second man and he came to my side. "Mademoiselle Anne Ives,” he said, "I arrest you for complicity in the theft of a government document, and also for attempting to obtain money by the sale of worthless forged bonds."

Magniff nodded his head. “A very clumsy forgery,” he said. He turned to me. “It grieves me, mademoiselle, to have to place you under arrest,” he continued. "Ihoped that at the last moment you would not have the audacity to carry out this scheme. Remember, pray, that I warned you upon the occasion of our former interview, what would be the Inevitable consequences should you persist in this attempt of yours to extort money

The Chevalier Was Handcuffed.

from me. Had I atone been concerned," he concluded, “I should have permitted you to go unscathed But I have my duty as a FrenchmanWhen I discovered that this trick of yours was part of a wider scheme to defraud and betray France, that you had actually concealed the stolen document in this safe of yours, thinking to hide it when you removed the forged bonds, then my patriotism arose and forced me into action." “Oh, spare your patriotism," I returned. cold with humiliation and an* ger. “No, let him do his worst," I continued, seeing that Charles was upon the point of springing to my side. “It is the last baffled scheme of a desperate trickster." “Bravo, Anne," said Charles, dapping his manacled hands. At the hoitow chink of the steel, the words of anger died on my lipa. For the first time I realised that Leopold MagnUFs nets had closed round as. > He had fulfilled Ms threats. (TO BE CONTINTJKD.)

A Guinea Garden.

Those who have heard words spoken so oar ■lwudy that their real meaning must remain a matter of conjeetare -wfll sympathise with the Italian mother tar one of the Brooklyn settle meats where a kindergarten is flourtubing She reached the building early one morning, and with a distinct grievance tn face and voice confronted the. kindergartner: - -—•- “Why!” she demanded, “why you no call this a school? Why you call him a guinea garden?"