Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 42, Number 2, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 7 September 1922 — Page 3

Mardi Gras Mystery By % H. BEDFORD-JONES csrd|ki b DOUBLEnav, PACE AND COMPANY

CHAPTER Vll—Continued. —ll— well. Do not plan to wear Jewels. Lucie. I have a set to lend you for llie occasion —no. not a gift, merely a loan for the sake of Cotnus. They are very nice pearls; a little old fashioned, because they were mounted for the Princess de Lamhalle, hut you will find that they lit In exeellttitly with your gown. I'll bring them with me when I call for you—" “And I'll tender fitting thanks then. One thing more: Henry (iramont Is going to see yon after luncheon, 1 think—on business. And 1 want you to be nice to him. Uncle Jachin.” "Most assuredly,” said the other, dryly. "I should like to be associated In business with that young man. The firm would prosper.” Smiling, she hung up the receiver. Ten minutes later, when Gramont and Miss Ledanols entered the waiting car, Hammond saw the boxes that they carried. He stood beside the open door, paralyzed, his eyes fastened on tha boxes, his mouth agape. “To the post office, sergeant,” said Gramont. then affected to observe Ills stupefaction. "Why, what's the matter?” Hummond met his twinkling eyes, saw the laughter of Lucie, and swallowed hard. “I—er—nothing at all, cap'n,” he answered, hoarsely.- “A—little chokin’ spell, that's all. Post office? Yes, sit.” CHAPTER VIII. Comut. From the time they left the Ledaiiuls house with Lucie. Gramont had no opportunity of seeing his chauffeur la private until, later in the afternoon, he left the Maison Blanche building. De had enjoyed a thoroughly satisfactory Interview with Jachin Fell. The car was waiting for him In Royal street, not far from the Monteleone, and Gramont approached It to find Hammond In deep worry over the outcome of the interview with Fell. “Well, cap’n!” he exclaimed, anxiously, as Gramont drew up. “You're smilin’, so I guess it ain’t a pinch!” "Don't worry. The stuff is returned, and the matter is now closed. We can forget all about the Midnight Masquer. Now, (here's another and more Important thing that I want to speak with you aholit, a matter of business—” “Hold on. cap'n!" interrupted Hammond quietly, his eye on a spot behind Gramont. “One of your friends is headed over this way, and if I know anything about it, he's got blood in Ills eye." Gramont turned, to see Bob Maillard approaching. The latter addressed him without any response to his greeting. “Have you a moment to spare, Gramonf?” “All afternoon,” answered Gramont, cheerfully. He affected not to observe Mailiard's air of heavy business, nor the frowning suspicion that lurked half-veiled in the other’s glowering features. The two were standing a bit apart, and Hammond was fussing with one of the headlights, but Gramont suspected that the chauffeur was listening avidly. “I’ve just come from a talk with dad. How did it happen that you sold him that stock of yours in the company?” Gramont smiled a little. “I happened to need the money. Why?" “But why the devil didn’t you-bang on to that stock? Or if you needed money, why didn’t you come to me?” exploded the other, angrily. "Heavens!” drawled Gramont. who was quite willing to exasperate young Mailtard to the limit. “YYnf seem frightfully concerned about it! What’s the big Idea, anyway? 1 offered the stock to your father at a discount. He realized that it was a good buy, and took-it. What’s wrong with that?” “Nothing wrong, If you put It that way,” snapped Malllard, angrily. "But it’s a confounded sly> way of doing things—” "Now, just wait right there!” Gramont's easy smile vanished. ”1 don’t take that kind of talk, Malllard. I’m off in the morning to start wrfrk on that report 1 was engaged to make. When the report conies In, my resignation comes with It.” !!AII right. Let It come here and how, then." Mailiard’s tone was ugly. “If you’re ko blamed anxious to get out of the company, get out!’’ "Thanks. I’ll be glad to be relieved of-Ah job," Grntniiht, turned and addressed his chauffeur. “Hammond, you'll kindly remember this conversation, in ease your future testimony is Heeded —” “Confound you, what d’you mean talking that way?” broke out Malllard. “Do you suppose I’ll deny firing you?” "I don't car* to have you offerrany reflections on my actions, Mallard.” said Gramont, evenly. "My course in this matter is perfectly open and above board, which Is more than you can say for your doings." "What?” Malllard clenched his stick and took a forward step, anger working In his face. “What the devil d’.vou mean?” "Exactly what I say—and perhaps I esr. prove It. Remember the oil con-

cern to which you persuaded your precious father to sell some of Miss LedaDols’ Bayou land? Kememher the real estate company to which you persuaded him to sell her St. Landry parish property? You had Interests In both concerns; I don't Imagine you’d care to have your share In those transactions exposed. Further, I entirely understand your indignation over ray getting rid of this stock before the crash, and It 111 becomes you to assume any such attitude.” - Malllard glared at him for a long moment, a red tide of rage flooding and ebbing, from bis heavy countenance. Then, mastering himself, he turned away without further speech. Leaving Hammond to take the car home, Gramont headed for Canal street to mingle with the carnival crowd and revel In his new-found sense of freedom. Now that he was his own master, he felt like anew man. With a boyish abandon he tramped the streets merrily, exchanging jests and confetti, shoves and bladder-blows, laughs and kisses. Madness and reckless gayety were In the very air, and Gramont drank deep of these youthful tonics. When at last he wandered home to his pension, he was footsore, weary, disarranged and tousled —and very happy. The wine of human comradeship Is a good wine. That evening r the Comus ball, the most -exclusive revel of the most exclusive aristocracy of the southland, crowded the edifice in which it was held to capacity. Here evening dress was prescribed for all the guests. The Krewe of Comus alone were masked and costumed, in grotesque and magnificent costumes which had been in the making for months. The Krewe Is to the South wlmt the Bohemian club Is to the western coast. With the added enhancement of mystery. Despite the revels of the Krewe, however —despite the glittering jewels, the barbaric costumes, the music, the excitement —an Indefinable air of regret, almost of sadness, pervaded the entire gathering. This feeling was something to be sensed, rather than

"What the Devil D'You Mean?" observed definitely. Some said, afterward, that it was a premonition of the terrible event 'that was to happen this night. Wrong! It was because, -for the first time in many generations, the Connis hall was held in one of the newer public buildings instead of in its .accustomed place. Everyone was speaking' of it. Even Maillard the banker, that cold tnan of dollars, spoke uneasily of it when Gramotit encountered him in the smoking room. "It doesn’t seem like Comus," said Maillard, with a vexed frown. "And to think that we had just finished redecorating the opera house when It was burned down! Cotnus will, never be the same again.” “I didn't know you could feel such emotion for a ruined building, Maillard," said Gramont, lightly. The hanker shrugged a trifle. “Emotion?' No. Regret! None of us,who lias been brought up in the traditions of the city, but regarded the French Opera house as the center of all our storied life. You can't understand it, Gramont; no outsider can. By the way, you haven't seen Bob? He’s in costume, but he might have spoken to you—” Gramont answered in the negative, with a slight surprise at the question. It was not long before lie came to comprehend more fully just what the loss of the old French Opera house meant to tire assemhiy. He heard comparisons made on-evcry band, regretful allusnibs, sighs for the days that were no more. . , • This present building, to be sure, was one of the city's finest.,up to date in every way, with an abundance of room—and yet everyone said, that Comus would never be the same. About the opera house had clung the romance of many' generations. About it, too, had clung the affections of the people with a fierceness beyond reason. More famous buildings had been allowed to go to rein, like-the Hotel Royale, but the opera house had been kept in re-

puir for Mardi Gras. It was Itself — a landmark. Nothing else would ever be.like it. From his seat in the Lavergne box Gramont contented himself during the early evening witli the common role of all the “blackcoats”—that of looking on Idly. More than once he saw Lucie Ledanols called out. among others of the fair sex, as a dancing partner for some member of the Krewe. None of the male guests, however, was allowed to participate In the festivity until Rex and his queen should arrive—at midnight; thus, Gramont saw almost nothing of Lucie during the evening. While In search of smoking companions, Gramont encountered many of his acquaintances, and among them Doctor Ansley and Jachin Fell. The three strolled off together Into one of the unused passages leading to other parts of the buildiug. They opened a window and stood watching the crowd that surged in the street below, constantly increasing as the hour grew later, for the procession of Rex would be well worth seelDg and nobody meant to miss anything upon this night of nights. Suddenly, at the sound of an approaching footstep, the three men turned. The electric lights were going in all pf the haliwaya, and they perceived that the individual approaching them was a member of the Krewe' of Comus. He was also. It became evident, giving a share of his allegiance to Bacchus, for his feet were obviously unsteady. He was clad in a particolored costume, which -was crownedby an exaggerated head of Mephlsto. “Wonderin’ who I am. aren’t you!” he hiccuped. "Well, don't wonder; 'sail between ol’ friends tonight. Tell you what, m’ friends —come with me and I'll find you a li'l drink, eh? Real old Boone pinchneck—got it from some boys in Louisville, been savin’ it up for tonight." He wagged ..his head at them, and pursued his subject in a half-maudlin burst of confidential assurance: “Havin' a little party in one of the rooms,” he continued. "All of us friends—lots more fun than dancin'! And say! I'm going pull something great, positively great; 'you don’t want to miss it, gentlemen! You come along with me and I’ll fix It for you. Come on, Gramont, that's a good fellow I You’n I had a dls'greement today—don’t matter tonight, nothin’ matters tonight, nothin’ at all. Mardi Gras only comes .once a year, eh? Come along, now.” Jachin Fell very civilly refused the invitation, as did the others. Gramont, who now recognized their accoster, was less, civil in his refusal. Mephisto regarded them with vinous regret. “No 'joyment in you, any more? Better come along. Tell you, I’ve got the biggest Joke of the season ready to pull off —something rich! Gramont, come on!” "Thanks, no,” responded Gramont curtly. The masquer gave up the struggle and moved on down the empty hallway. “I wonder who' that was, now?” mused Doctor Ansley, frowning. -“EvL dently someone who knew us; at least, he recognized you, Gramont." “So It seemed," put it Jachin Fell. His tone, like Ills eyes, had a somber tire. “A party of them drinking, eh? That will make The Krewe won’t like it. Who was he, Gramont? sded like —" oting Maillafd.” At Gramont’* mse a whistle broke from Doctor ey. Jachin Fell nodded assent. "You took the words out of my moutli. SO Bob is drinking again, eh? Hello, Gramont —where to?” Gramont tossed his cigar through the open window. ”1 think I’ll make my adienx, Fell. I intend to be up early in the morning and get off to work—” “What?” protested Ansley In astonishment. “You must stay until Rex comes, at least! Why, that’s, the event of the carnival! The evening hasn't started yet.” . "I’m growing old and sober, doctor,” and Gramont chuckled. *What’s more, I was drifting with the crowds all afternoon, and I've Just begun to realise that I’m dead tired. Rex or no Rex, I’m afraid I’d best say goodnight, gentlemen.” Returning to the auditorium, Gramont sought out his hosts and made his farewells, although not without encountering gome opposition. At length he was free, he had obtained his hat and coat, and as he passed out of, the building he again met Fell and Ansley, who were finishing their cigars at the entrance. He bade them a final adieu and plunged into the crowd. It lacked half an hour of midnight. For a little, Fell and Doctor Ansley st(*)d talking, then tossed away their cigars and turned into the building. They halted in the foyer before the appearance of two men—Joseph Maillard, lading extremely agitated, and behind him old Judge Forester, who* wore a distinctly worried expression. (To be continued.) The reason s man scratches his head when puzzled has never been satisfactorily accounted for by Mien* tists. - ■<

THE NAPrANEE ADVANCE-XEWS

IMPROVED UNFORM INTERNATIONAL SundaySchool Lesson T (By REV. P. B. FITZWATER. D. D.. Teacher of English Bible in lle Motniy Bible Institute of Chicago.) Copyright. 192 J. Western Ntw*p*pr Onion LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 10 . TEACHING THE LAW OF GOD LESSON TEXT-Neh. 8:1-18, GOLDEN TKXT-Teach irtc, O Lord, the way pf thy statutes, and I shall keep It unto the end.—Ps. 119Ntjl. REFERENCE MATEKIAL-Deut. 6:4-9; Acts 17:1-9, 10-15; Col. 1:9-11. PRIMARY TOPIC—The Joy of learning God’s Word. JUNIOR TOPIC-How a Whole City Heard God's Woid. INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC —The Power of the Word of God. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC —Community Bible Study. It will he of interest and profit to present this lesson as an ideal Sunday school class: 1. A Model Bible Class (w. 1-C). 1. The Eager Assembly (v. 1). The people gathered themselves together and "spake unto Ezra to bring the book of the Law.” It was not a matter of the teacher urging the class to come together, hut the class with yearning hearts requesting Hie teacher to come with God’s Word. 2. The Representative Assembly (v. 2). The class was made up of men, women and children. The men then did not leave the church-going to the women. Neither were the children left at home with nurses or to play on the streets. God’s Word should he taught to all classes, men, women and children. 3. An Appreciative Assembly (v. -3). Their eaps w@££ attentive from morning to midday. So eager were they to know God’s Word that they did not get tired although the lesson lasted for five or six hours. There was no pulling of watches in that class. 4. Due Reverence Shown God’s Word (vv. 4,5). When Ezra opened the Law all the people stood up. This they did out of respect for the holy hook. Tlie reason there is not proper reverence for the Bible*ls that people are not taught to believe it is God s Word. Reverence -in the house of God will only be when the Bible is regarded as God’s very words. 5. They Joined Heartily in the Prayer (v. 6). As Ezra led them in prayer the people Joined heartily in saying “Amen ! Amen !” bowing their faces to the ground. 11. A Model Bible Teacher (vv. 7,8). 1. He Stood Up Where the People Could See Him (v. 5). The position and hearing of the teacher lias muct to do with the attention and Interest of tlie class, 2. He Read_ Distinctly (v. 8). Teachers should take particular heed to this. Much Bible reading Is greatly to the discredit of the Word and * l, e reader. 3. Caused tlie People to Understand the Reading (v. S). The supreme business of tlie toucher is to make tlie Word of God so plain that all, old and young, can understand. 111. The Impressions Made (vv. 018). -The effect of teaching God’s Word Is most important. In this case It was very encouraging. 1. Conviction of Sin (v. 0). The Word of God brings conviction of sin (Acts 2:37). It is quick and powerful (Tied. 4:12). Tlie way to get conviction of shi is by teaching tlie Word of God, not by appealing to tlie emotions by telling death-bed stories. The people had real cause for sorrow—they were far from God. They, not only had become worldly and the rich were in their - greed oppressing the poor, but they were perplexed through their mixed marriages. 2. Weeping-Turned Into Joy (vv. 1012). When sins have been perceived and confessed God would not have His children to be sad. Continued mourning will not atone for the sins that are past. It unfits one for present tasks and dishonors a pardoning God. Besides, joy has a salutary effect upon one’s entire being. 3. Shared Their Blessings With Others (vv. 10-12). Christianity is not having a good time alone; it Is sharing our prosperity with others. True joy manifests Itself in giving to others. Pure religion goes out to ministep to the poor (.las. 1:27). 4. The People Obeyed (vv. 13-18), In their acquaintance with the Scripture* they found that the Feast of Tabernacles had Been long neglected. As soon as they understood the Scriptures they went forth to do as they had been told. They weiit to work and kept this sacred feast in a way that it had not been kept since tlie days of Joshua (v. 17). If tlie Scriptures were read and made plain many things could he found which have not been complied with. 11l tlie keeping of this - feast-they dwelt in, booths, thus typifying ’ their pilgrim character and bringing to their remembrance the days of their wilderness journey. The Eyes of Others. It is the eyes of,other people that ruin us. If all hut myself were blind, I should neither want a 4ihu house nor fine furniture. —Franklin. Our Faults. We confess small faults? In order to insinuate that we have no great lines. —Roehefo\n auld. „ Man. Man Is a reasoning rather lhan a reasonable animal. —Alexander Hamil

Shame on Them. JpERHAPS there are a few mothers who do not know the virtues of Fletcher’s Castoria. Perhaps there are a few who know that there are imitations on the market, and knowing this demand Fletcher’s. It is to AT.T. motherhood, then, that we call attention to the numerous imitations and counterfeits that may bo set before them. It is to all motherhood everywhere that we ring out the warning to beware of the 1 Just-as-good”. For over thirty years Fletcher’s Castoria has been an aid in the upbuilding of our population; an aid in the saving of babies. And yet there are those who would ask you to try something new. Try this. Try that. Even try the same remedy for the tiny, scarcely breathing, babe that you in all your robust womanhood would use for yourself. Shame on them.

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