Dayton tribune., December 08, 1922, Image 4

?
MARDI GRAS
^MYSTERY
by
HBedford Jones
Illusirations btj
Irwin Myers
Copyright by Doubleday. Pag« and Company
TAKES NO CHANCES ON
MASQUER.
Synopsis—During the height of
the' New Orleans carnival season
Jachin Fell, wealthy though some­
what mysterious citizen. and Dr.
Ansley, are discussing a series of
robberies by an individual known
as the Midnight Masquer, who, in­
variably attired as an aviator, has
long defied the police. Joseph Mail­
lard, wealthy banker, is giving a
ball that night, at which the Mas­
quer has threatened to appear and
rob the guests. Fell and Ansley,
on their way to the affair, meet a
girl dressed as Columbine, seem­
ingly known to Fell.
CHAPTER I—Continued.
“And Maillard would do the paying.”
Fell’s dry chuckle held a note of bit­
terness. “Let him. Who cares? Look
at his house, there, blazing with lights.
Why pays for those lights? The people
liis financial tentacles have closed their
sucker-like grip upon. His wife’s Jew­
els have been purchased with the coin
of oppression and injustice. His son's
life is one of roguery and drunken
wildness—”
“Man. are you mad?” Ansley indi­
cated the Columbine between them.
“We're not alone here—you must not
talk that way—’’
Jachin Fell only chuckled again. Col­
umbine’s laugh broke in with renewed
ga lety:
"Nonsense, my dear Galen! We
masquers may admit among ourselves
that Bob Maillard is—”
"Is not the man we would have our
daughters marry, provided we had
daughters," said Fell.
They had come to a file of limou­
sines and cars, and approached the
gateway of the Maillard home. They
turned into the gate. Jachin Fell
touched the arm of Ansley and indicat­
ed 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. Colum­
bine produced an Invitation, duly num­
bered and the three entered the house
together.
blazing star sapphires. Beside it the
diamonds that bejeweled Mrs. Mail­
lard’s ample front looked cold and
lifeless.
“That?" queried Lucie, innocently,
producing u scrap of chamois and dab­
bing at her nose. "Oh, that's very in­
teresting! It was made for Queen Hor­
tense—so was tills 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
please?”
"Oh, I promised not to tell; he's a
particular friend of mine. Aren't the
stones pretty?"
Mrs. Maillard was speechless. She
compressed her Arm lips and watched
Lucie raplace the sapphire collar with­
out a word to offer. Silently she ex­
tended a corsage bouquet from the pile
beside her; then, in a trembling voice,
forced herself to explain about the fa­
vor inside.
Slipping her mask into place Lucie
was gone, not without relief. She
knew very well that within half an
hour Bob Maillard would be informed
that she had accepted gifts of Jewels
from other men. with all the accompa­
nying implications and additions that
imagination could furnish. For, al­
though Bob Maillard wanted very
much indeed to marry her. his mother
had no intention of sanctioning such a
union.
“Neither has Uncle Joseph,” she re­
flected, smiling to herself, "and neither
have I! So we’re all agreed, except
Bob."
. ,
“Columbine!” A hand fell upon her
wrist. "Columbine! Turn and confess
thy sins!”
She had come to the foot of the
wide, old fashioned stairway that led
to the floors above, and beside her had
CHAPTER II.
Masquers.
Joseph Maillard might have hope­
fully considered the note from the Mid­
night Masquer to be a hoax perpetrat­
ed by some of his friends, but he took
no chances. Two detectives were post­
ed in the grounds outside the house;
Inside, two others, masked and cos­
tumed, were keeping a quietly efficient
eye on all that transpired.
Each guest upon entering was con­
ducted directly to the presence of Jo­
seph Maillard himself, or of his wife;
was bidden to unmask in this private
audience, and was then presented with
a favor and sent forth masked anew
to the festivities. These favors were
concealed, in the case of the ladies, in
corsage bouquets; in that of the men,
inside false cigars. There was to be
a general opening of the favors at mid­
night, 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 in­
vited guests entered his house. Invita­
tions might be forged—faces, never!
Lucie Ledauois entered the presence
of her stately relative, and after un­
masking, 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 ward of the Maillards.
“Mercy, child, how marvelous you
look tonight!” exclaimed Mrs. Mail­
lard, holding her off and examining her
high color with obvious suspicion.
“Thank you, ma’am,” and Lucie made
a mock courtesy. ‘Do you like little
Columbine?”
“Very much. Here’s Aunt Sally ;
take Miss Lucie’s cloak, Sally.”
An old colored servant bobbed her
head in greeting to Lucie, who re­
moved her cloak. As she did so, stie
saw that Mrs. Maillard's eyes were
fastened in utter amazement upon her
throat.
“Isn't It pretty, auntie?" she asked,
smilingly.
“My goodness gracious!” The stern
eyes hardened.
“Where—where on
earth did you obtain such a thing?
Why—why—”
Columbine's features flinched. She
was a poor relation, of course, so the
look In the older woman’s eyes and the
implication of the words formed little
less than an Insult.
Quietly she put one hand to her
throat and removed the collar, drop­
ping It into the hand of Mrs. Maillard.
It was a thing to make any woman’s
eyes widen—a collar of exquisitely
wrought gold studded with ten great
and offended dignity. ”1 prut you, »x-
cuse me."
Not waiting any response, she hna-
tily ran up the stairs. Af er
a moment, gazed the Franc -< inn. then
shrugged his wide slnml I ers and
plunged intodhe crowd.
While she danced, while ■ lie chut-
h red and laughed and entered into the
mad gaiety of the evening, Lucie Le-
that ominous Franciscan. Ho« coubl
dames could not banish from her n.lnd
he l ave known? How eouhl he have
guessed what only she and one other
barely suspected? There w as no proof,
of course; the very breath of suspi-
don seemed a calumny against Hll
right man!
Joseph Maillard had sold that Terre­
bonne land six months before any gas
or oil hud been discovered there, and
eight months before Lucie had come
Into the management of her own af­
fairs. He hud not known about the
mineral.*, of course; it was a case only
of bad Judgment. Yet. Indubitably, he
was now n shareholder anil officer in
the Bayou Oil company, the concern
which had bought that strip of hind.
Lucie strove angrily to banish the
dark thoughts from her mind. Why,
Maillard was a rich num. n banker, an
honorable gentleman! To doubt his
honor, although he was a harsh anil
a stern man, was impossible. Lucie
knew him better than most, and could
SCHOOL DAIJS
<Pr«pareJ by th» l ntl»>l Htal»o l>»partmant
of Agricultura.I
That culling the poultry flock
rid of all those birds except the
ous, prolific layers results In notice­
able Improvement In the progeny Is
shown by recent investigations at the
United States experiment farm. Belt»-
"May I crave pardon for my error?”
came a voice nt her elbow. She turned,
to see the Franciscan again beside
her. "With a thousand apologies for
Impertinence, mademoiselle; 1 am very
sorry for my faults. Will not that
admission obtain for me one little
dance, one ill nt of forgiveness from
fair Columbine?”
Something in his voice spelt sin- Examining a Hen to Find if She 1»
Laying—Measuring Distance
Be­
cerity. Lucie, smiling, held out her
tween Pelvic Bones.
hand.
By F. A. WALKER
"You are pardoned, holy man. If ville, Md. The late moulters selected
you can dance in that friar’s robe, from a flock of 100 Rhode Island Beds
then try it!”
in the fall of 1920 laid seven more BEWARE OF SHADOW«
Could he dance. Indeed! Who could eggs per bird during their second year
not dance with Columbine for partner? tiian the original flock us pullets. They rpO MAKE one’s self happy. to
So saying, the monk proved his word were used us breeders the following
A keep on the sunlit trails, to go
by the deed and proved it well. Nor spring, and the first Red pullets to about the day’» duties with a light
did he again hint that he had recog- commence laying In the full of 10—1 heart and a willing bund, one mint
nlzed her; until, as they parted, he were found to be the offspring of these keep constantly In the splendent, radi­
once more left her astonished ami late-moulting hens. Their pullets In ant rays from the world» above.
perturbed. As he bowed he mur- u period of seven months have already
It Is not easy to wear 11 smile «hen
mured :
averaged about two dozen eggs per troubles hover near, but by continued
“Be* ware. sweet Columbine! Beware bird more than the original flock.
effort in the right spirit. It can be
of the gay Aramis! Beware of his
But It Is not alone in number of done.
proposals!”
eggs that the late-moulters’ progeny
Many of our annoying perplexities
He was gone upon the word.
excel, but also In the vulue of the are of our own making, consequently
Why. that must be the product, as the distribution was more they cun be avoided by turning from
Aramis?
Musketeer, of course—Bob Maillard ! even, a much larger proportion of tbe them when they tlrst knock nt the
The name, with its implications, was eggs being laid during the winter door of our hearts for admission, and
a clever hit. But who was this brown months. In the last seven months the shutting the door In their fsce».
monk, who seemed to know so much, daughters of the lute moulters not
We nre Inclined to brood over some
who danced so divinely, whose French only averaged two dozen eggs ]>er blfd fancied wrong until It becomes a
was like music? A vague suspicion was more than the original flock, but the formidable ghostly thing that haunts
in the girl’s mind, but she had no value of their product was. figuring at our life from day to day. We are
the same prices, about >1.04 per bird prone to forget that we are rational
proof.
Half an hour after this Bob Maillard more during the same period, it la beings possessed of spiritual powers
v A
Caine to her, and with impatient words expected that this margin will In­ capable of turning night Into day by
a grain or two of faith, which In our
made a path through the circle which crease during the next five months.
moments of despondency we frequent­
surrounded her. “I know you now.
Lucie ! ’’ he murmured. “I must see FEEDING METHODS FOR EGGS ly overlook, or cost aside In quest of
a bnlrn of our own
you at once—in the conservatory.”
We art not willing to accept the
Methods
Adopted
by
California
Com
­
was
minded
to
refuse,
but
ns-
She
sacred
promises given to us by the
munity Result in Better Health
sented briefly. The words of the
Muster of Men. simply because «e
of
Laying
Flock.
intrigued
her;
wiiat
had
the
monk
prefer the shndows of doubt rather
If Bob were indeed
man guessed?
A mortality of less than 10 per cent than the glorious sunlight of endur­
about to propose, she would tills time
ing truth, so we continue to stumble
cut off his hopes for good. But—was for the year among hens entered in
the egg laying contest of Sonoma coun­ nnd fall In the darkness of our crea­
It that sort of a proposal?
tion and blame the Fates for our mis­
As she managed to rid herself of ty, California, lust year is reported to
erable plight.
the
United
States
Department
of
Agri
­
her admirers, and descended to the
Human vanity nnd nn exalted Idea
conservatory, she was highly vexed culture by local extension workers, of our blood-and-flenh prowess nre tn
with herself and the Franciscan, and who worked out the feeding formula most cases responsible for the sor­
so came to her appointment in no used in the contest. The health rec­ rows. tears nnd disappointment* Hint
equable frame of mind. She found ord of the hens entered and their lay­ usually beset us.
Maillard waiting in the old-fashioned ing average of 1”6 eggs per hen for
We make pitiable Jobs of our work
conservatory; he hnd unmasked, and the 364 days have led many poultry­ but we stubbornly refuse to change
men
to
adopt
the
management
and
was puffing a cigarette.
our methods even though they bring
"By gad, Lucie, you’re beautiful to­ feeding methods used In the contest. us nothing but regret and pain.
night. Where did you get that collar It Is estimated that M per cent of the
And generally we rest fairly con­
poultrymen of the county have tent with our failures, for we keep
of jewels?”
“Indeed!” The girl proudly drew changed their method of feeding dur­ multiplying them and courting their
herself up. “What business is that ing the last five years, due to exten­ company when we know in our hearts
sion work Influence.
that «e should pursue n contrary
of yours, sir?”
“Aren't you one of the family?
course.
D—n it—Lucie! Don’t you know that TRADE-MARK ON FRESH EGGS
We wish to be assured of brighter
days, but In our blind eagerness to
I want to marry you—”
“My dear Robert, I certainly do not New Jersey Organization Making Use find them? we deliberately turn our
"You Frighten Me, Holy Man!" She
backs upon the paths that take to
of Small Sticker on Produce
Cried, Gayly. "Confess to You, In- want to marry any man who swears
the bills und choose the rougher
to my face—you least of all!” she
Sold by Members.
deed! Not I."
roads that curry us down to the dark
coldly intervened. “I have already re­
suddenly appeared a Franciscan monk, fused you three times; let this be the
small trade-mark sticker is no« valleys.
cowled and gowned in sober brown fourth and last. Now, kindly inform put on all eggs sold by members of
If we would not waste our years
from head to foot.
me why you wished me to meet you the North Haledon Leghorn club In In Ignorance, we must lift our eyes
“You frightened me, holy man!” she here."
Passaic county. N. J. This organiza­ up to tbe light of Wisdom, place our
cried, gaily. "Confess to you, indeed!
“I have a chance to make some tion was formed as a result of a meet­ hands confidently In her always friend­
Not I.”
money for you In a hurry,” he said. ing of poultrymen of the community ly palm and be content to be guided
"Never a better chance, butterfly of “Your father left you a good deal of with the agricultural extension agent by iier kindly counsel and illuminat­
the world. Haste not to the dance, land up Bayou Terrebonne way—”
to discuss the development of the ing smile, for there Is no other way
fair sister—tarry a while and invite
“Your father sold some of it,” she poultry industry In that section. Each by which we can hope to overcome
the soul in speech of import! Having put In, idly, His eyes flickered to member pays two cents per bird impeding obstacles and reach the
passed the dragon at the gate, tarry the thrust.
owned, 8,000 birds being pledged nt heights.
(© by McClura N«w»p»p»r Syndlcata.)
a moment with this man of vow»—”
the first meeting of tbe club. All
you've
plenty
left,
near
“Yes; but
-------- —O-----------
“Shrive me quickly, then,” she said,
members
use
the
trade-mark
and
Paradis. It's away from the gas field.
laughing.
but I'm Interested In an oil company. guarantee eggs sold under it.
"Now, without confession? Would We've plenty of money, and we're go­
you have me read your thoughts and ing to go strong after the liquid gold.
give penance?”
That land of yours is good for noth­
“If you can do that, holy man, I may ing else, and if you want to make
confess; so prove it quickly!”
some money out of it I'll swing the
The Franciscan leaned forward. His company into leasing at a good figure
voice came low, distinct, clear-cut, and
and drilling there.”
he spoke in the French which Lucie
“You think there’s oil on the land?”
Water is almost as important as feed
understood as another mother-tongue,
“No.” He made a swift, energetic In egg production.
as do most of the older families of
gesture of dissent. “To be frank, I
New Orleans.
don’t. But I’d like to throw a bit of
A large red comb Indicates health
“See how I read them, mademoi­ luck your way, Lucie. That fellow
selle! One thought is of uneasy sus­ Gramont—the prince, you know him and egg production.
picion; it is typified by a hard lipped, —he’s an engineer and a geologist,
Males in pens reduce the total egg
grasping man. One thought is of pro­
and lie’s in the swim.”
yield for the year.
found regret; it is typified by a darkly
welling stream of oil. One thought—”
Early maturing pullets usually make
Suddenly Lucie had shrunk away
Next week — the Midnight
good egg producers.
from him. “Who—who are you?” she
Masquer.
breathed, with a gasp that was almost
Medium weight hens of any variety
of fear. “Who are you, monsieur?”
are usually most profitable.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
“A humble broiher of minor orders,”
and lie bowed. "Shall I not continue
Ninety eggs pay cost. The 150-egg
with my reading? The third, mademoi­
You cannot rightly Judge people by hen is worth six 100-egg hens.
selle, is one of hope; It is typified by a
small man who is dressed all in what others say about them, but you
can by what they say about others.—
Art In Advertising.
Half blue ointment and half lard
K Lucie turned away from him quickly. Boston Transcript.
“Nobody wants my corsets for fat
or tallow makes a good louse killer.
women.”
“I think that you have made some
Perhaps the easiest way to have a
“You mustn’t bill them that way.
The price of feed does not always
grave error, monsieur,” she said. Her
disclose Its real value in making eggs. Advertise them as slenderizing.”
voice was cold, charged with dismissal good time Is to go ahead and have It.
Something, to
Think About
DOMLIBÏNOIK
MEN YOU MAY MARRY
By ETHEL R. PEYSER
Has a Man Lika Thia Proposal
to You?
Symptoms: Bully chap, good
heart, good looking, dark, well
set up, blue eyes and reliable
purse.
Always notice» every
scenic effect everywhere, thea­
tre, your clothes, sunsets, girls’
faces in carmine decked, always
rearranges your furniture and
ornaments. Always wears odd
colors, always a quaint little
hanky sticks out of his breast
pocket, purple socks, green silk
shirt, of crepe de chine, silken
collars, soft hats, and always
advises you to change the thlfgs
you have for other things re­
gardless of your hsrd-eerned
cash. He likes you because you
listen to his coloratura ravings
and tie thinks that lie can make
n scene out of you.
IN FACT
Ue may 1
Prescription to His Brid«:
Leant your colors so that you,
too, enn talk. Talking colora­
tura I» In this case wiser thao
singing LOW trills
Absorb This:
It Takes Two to Combine Life e
Color Chart.
(©by MeClur» N»w»p»v»r Syndleal».)
<>
Uncommon
Sense
JOHN B1AKT
YOUR TEMPER
can acquire courage In an
A MAN
hour. It bus been often done on
battlefields.
He enn learn self-possession in a
year.
But It takes many years of Inten­
sive training to teach him to keep his
temper.
Yet these years are well spent. Un­
less you are certain that your temper
Is Irritation-proof, you can never be
sure of yourself.
At some time, on some occasion, you
may lose nil control of yourself and do
something that you will regret for the
remainder of your life.
It Is useful to tench boys boxing,
not only because It develops their
muscles an<l enables them to defend
themselves in case of necessity, but
because It is the beat lesson In tem­
per-keeping.
No man, without training, can en­
dure sudden pain, inflicted by another
man without n temporary flt of linger.
Doubtless you have sometimes
walked along n path In the woods be-
hind a companion and been smitten
smartly In the face hy a branch he
released as he passed, If you didn't
lose your temper you were hardly
human.
*
Learn to avoid sudden anger, which
is very different from the slow de­
liberate kind which you ought to feel
in the face of a grent wrong or evil.
For, if moved to quick wrath, the
blood flies to your head, your Judg­
ment departs, and for a few minutes
or a few seconds ybu are no better
than a maniac.
You may not resort to blows, hut
you are likely to resort to hot words
that are more dangerous than blows,
for they will be longer remembered.
Nothing worth while was ever ac­
complished In a fury. No vision, see­
ing red, evV saw clearly. No brain,
flushed with blood, was ever able to
think.
It la right that you should be angry
nt evil, that you should be Indignant
when yon see, for example, a man beat­
ing a horse or a child. But your power
to redress such a wrong, even to save
the victim, departs If you are moved
to violent rage.
Learn to keep your temper. It will
take n long hard course of lessons,
but they will pay.