THE SUNDAY BEE: OMAHA, JULY 23, 1922.
Horace ofaMllion Dollars
jy ELIZABETH DEJEANS
VWrttocly
THK WTOKY THIS rAK.
PanlmrtonKmla million mr
held In (runt by hie widow far twa
nrphewe. Mrerk and Wet. unit
niece. Hell. Ttacy re U dllde
the fortune provided none commit
crime und lire, k bee been reared
thief. Mr. Hrant-Olwln- Jewel,
valaed at HOO.UOO, are atolen and
(100,000 and mmiio (cm' dlaappear
(rum beneath Mm. llunberton
Heet' pillow. Beech and a mya
terlou 'Mr. Hmlth" are opecled,
but ha denle all. Mr. IMinbarton.
Kent rmln hrr effort ea racoeir
erln the pirn and proW-ella III
family nam. Inlo nil atmoapher
of myeteey and uankloa walk lav
able Marie Augmileroe to become
rhaaffeu for Mr. Itunharton
Keat. Oredually Marie Irarn the
family aerrrt and, dniplte taernelf,
fall In Invr with the deoied
Hrerk. She dlneovrr a love affair
between Helta and Allra Colfax, a
third nrphrwi receive a propooal
from Meat, and, at Mr. Iunbar-tan-Kenl'a
rrquml, become a
member of the family. Mra. Dun-barton-Krnt
arranirea a party to
brine Mra. Hrant-Olwln and. In
cidentally. Marie inlo the fold of
the eorlally elrrt, and lo win the
former' friendship tnt the day
of the dread reveliitlon, Kreelt and
"Mra. Nmlth" vanlnh. Marie find
an anonymou note In which the
return of Mr. Hrant-olwln'a pearl
I offered for 15IMMI00. A flue la
flown from Kent Houho to aiirnal
the writer that the offer la ac
cepted. Marie la almoat at the
point of accepting Weat on the
evening of the party. Mra. Hrant
Olwin. arriving- at Kent lloune,
breathe revenue acalnat the man
who tole her jewel.
wanted to inert yon. I'm real glad
you're bettor and beginning to K
out."
"So am I, Mrs. Brant-OIwin
fiarticularly as I am going to sit
fsidtr you at dinner." It was quiet
ly but distinctly said and accom
panied by his slow smile, which
impressed Mrs. Brant-Olwin, as it
had impressed Marie, as pathetic.
Marie had slipped away, and
Breck met Haslctt's extended hand.
They shook hands, a steady look
into each other's eyes. Then
Bella's cool voice said at Brcck's
6houlder:,"You must meet some of
these people before dinner, Breck,
Come over and talk to Mrs. Gran
veston." West" and Haslett had moved to
Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent's side.
"What docs he mean by this?" she
asked, scarcely above her breath.
Greene must watch her diamonds."
"IVihaps that's what brounht
him," Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent said
with bitter contempt.
Marie lived through the dinner
in a sort of painful dream set to
music, the all pervading organ.
She saw Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent at
the far end of the table, some
what pale, but the usual capable
hostess, ami Haslett beside her.
Every one was talking and Marie
was conscious that she herself
talked. She did her best to please
Mr. Granveston and John" van
Rouvervant. John van Rouvervant
paid her compliment' ; all she need
ed to do was to smile at him and
occasionaly answer brightly; be
sides the Countess de Lantincllc
was on his other side and she was
exceedingly vivacious. She talked
alternately to West and John van
She spoke to Vrt occasionally j
therwise she seemed to be absorb
rdly interested in Hrcik; theirs
was a tetc-a-tetc almort through
out the dinner. Marie felt that
Mrs. lirant-Olwin was an indepriw
dent sort of woman. She woulJ
not care in the least whether any
one remarked, as John van Kouver
vant did, that "the little widow
seems to have fallen head over
heels for that handsome young
fellow."
Marie heard the reiuaik with
commingled ferlitiK. ' die in
her throat, and a oick apprehen
sion. From the moment itreck
had appeared she felt wretchedly
foreboding. That immobile, in
scrutable face of his and his
pathetic smile that made one want
to weep from pity. She wished
she could hear what he was say
ing; she felt an aching envy of
Mrs. Brant-Olwin and at the same
time a certain sympathy. She
noticed the footman, who rarely
moved far from his position be
hind the two; his face was familiar
to Marie; then she realized that he
was Walter Greene, the young maji
who had tried to question her on
the day after her arrival at Kent
House a detective. And behind
IUv4
i M
14TH INSTALLMENT
The Double Cross.
A number of young people came
in, and it was evident they liked
Mrs. Brant-Olwin. They shook
hands with Marie and looked at
her interestedly, but none of them
paused to talk to her; they were
busy greeting each other. Marie
stood beside Mrs. Brant-Olwin,
for Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent had told
her to stand there; Bella was also
in the receiving group and West
-stood near with a watchful eye
on Marie. He looked handsome,
Marie thought. She felt proud of
him. After all it was her dream
come ' partially true, "a man of
worth and distinction."
It was evident that West liked
Mrs. Brant-Olwin; he made her
say amusing things. It was evi
dent that she was either liked or
was going to be liked by almost
everybody. She said something
bright or amusing to every one.
Marie was glad, both for Mrs.
Dunbarton-Kent's and Mrs. Brant
Olwin's sake. She liked Mrs.
Brant-Olwin quite as much as she
had liked her when she first met
her.
Burton Haslett had been among
the first to arrive and, after talk
ing to Mrs. Brant-Olwin, he stood
beside Marie for some time.
Marie liked his gravely courteous
manner, but not the intent way in
which he looked at her. Marie
smiled at him from beneath her
lashes. He was speaking to her
when Mrs. Brant-Olwin touched
her arm.
"Who is that stunning looking
man just coming in? A relation?
He must be."
In the entrance to the drawing
room, standing tall and straight,
one white gloved hand touching the
front of his vest, his head thrown
back slightly as he looked at the
gathering, was Breck. He was in
evening dress, it accentuated his
natural air of distinction. He was
a strikingly handsome man and
unmistakably a Dunbarton-Kent:
Mrs. Brant-Olwin's exclamation
was not surprising.
Marie could not answer. Happily
their little group was looking at
Breck and not at Mrs. Dunbarton
Kent, for she blanched as at the
sight of a ghost. A flash of vivid
anger crossed West's face and
Bella stiffened into ice. Breck
could see how they looked at him.
Yet he came forward, lightness
and strength in every movement,
unembarrassed and with a casual
glance for all but Mrs. Dunbarton
Kent. -When he stood before her
he sajd, as any nephew would
speak "to an aunt he had surprised
by an unexpected appearance, "I
met Ward Wakefield in town; you
know we were in France together,
Aunt Bulah. At the last moment
he was unable to come and asked
me to take his place he sent you
this note," and, with his eyes stead
ily on her, he handed her the bit
of white which he had been hold
ing against his vest.
They were quick in an emer
gency, that family. Even Mrs.
Dunbarton-Kent said with only a
a trifling thickness in her voice,
"I'm glad you were able to come,
Breck," and West, who had come
to her rescue, introduced Breck
with graceful ease: "Mrs. Brant
Olwin, you have never met my
cousin, Breckenridge. Ward Wake
field was more successful than
we've ever been in persuading him
to attend a party."
Breck bowed over Mrs. Brant
Olwin's hand, and she said with
genuine interest and sympathy:
"You've been an invalid since the
war, haven't you? I've always
kit 1 .v
- ' -LUJeTirar"'. .k jTt .
r ':jF& v a-vj i W '
She stood close to the door and listened.
"To cover his tracks," West
answered, and Haslett said, "There
is no telling. You have the mon
ey with you still?"
"In the belt next to me. They
couldn't get it without killing me."
"They would never attempt any
thing like that," Haslett said de
cidedly. "Don't be anxious; I shall
not leave your side all evening and
I'm going with you tonight. I'll
tell Greene not to take his eyes
from him and we must have Wil
letts close to us. They are not
planning a double-cross I think
as West does, that he came in or
der to appear to have no connec
tion with the thing he's looking to
the future. Is Wakefield's note
genuine?"
"It seems to me.'' She slipped
it into West's hand. "You know
his handwriting better than I I
know they were together in
France."
West went into the hall for a
few minutes, then came back.
"Wakefield wrote it you'll have
to give him Wakefield's place.
Rouvervant, or to both of them.
She seemed to admire West ex
tremely. But to Mr. Granveston, Marie
was forced to pay closer attention,
for he talked to her of Canada. In
the early days hisi father had made
a fortune in the fur trade. Mrs.
Dunbarton-Kent had shown good
judgment when she placed Marie
between the two elderly gentle
men; John van Rouvervant had a
penchant for pretty girls and Mr.
Granveston would appreciate her.
Both thought her charming and
Mr. Granveston became really in
terested, for Marie had much to
tell him of the present day fur
trade.
But it was of the two at West's
right of whom Marie was acutely
conscious; Breck and Mrs. Brant
Olwin; of Breck's face, grave, ex
cept occasionally when he smiled.
He did not forget to talk now and
then to the girl on his right, Mar
jorie Caswell, Mrs. Granveston's
granddaughter, but it was to Mra
Brant-Olwin he gave his attention.
Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent stood Wil
Ietts. Marie had recognized him
at once, though he looked strange
in a footman's livery. Why were
they there? What did they think
would happen? And she must sit
there and talk and smile like these
others who suspected nothing.
Just before they left the table the
organ sank into silence. For a
few minutes there was only the
sound of voices, then suddenly the
orchestra in the ballroom invited
them to forsake the banquet room.
As they left the table Mr. Gran
veson said: "I am going to take
a dinner party's privilege and
claim the first dance. I'm over 60,
but thak Heaven, I still have the
use of my feet I was a great
dancer back in the old Quebec
days. You dance, of course a
little fairy like you?"
Marie dancel Many a soldier
she had delighted. She smiled at
him. "I dance a little, monsieur
yow shall see." But she was
watching Breck and Mrs. Brant
Olwin; they stood together talk
ing, if l"4lll
liriit mid sail n-nirilmitf t.
ami lie noil. ie( illicitly, ikr
tin lied lo W'rt, wlm MihhI wait
yig. 'Mien ltic.lt uthied hit mm
to XUrjurie I'aswrll he lud
brought hrr in li dinner. Wlu n
Mr. Graiive iton took M.irit into
(he lulliomn llrrik and his dinner
partner were d.inriiie? and Wrt
mi dancing with Mrs, Hr.uil
Olwin. Hut, first. Wrst li.nl
tthinprred ta M.nii'. "The nrl
dance ' mine, dear?"
An she circled the room Marie
noted how Breck danced, Mradilv,
linhlly, and easily, hi face iittrrly
chatiRrlrso even when he talked
his partner. Mrs. Itraut-OUiu
and West urerncd to be enjoying
their dance, hut when they passed
Breck Marie noticed how Mrs.
Brant-Olwin looked at him over
West's circling arm, a grave,
tender smile, and he smilrd his
rare smite in return. "She is be
ginning to love him," Marie said
to herself.
Then Mr. Granveston took lur
to the group that was about Mrs.
Granveston. Mrs. Dimbarton
Krnt was there and Harlrtt with
her, and Willetts was near them.
Marie spoke to Willetts, a soft
"good evening." and he smiled
and flushed, then busied himself .
with a chair which he offered ti
Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent. "No, I'm
getting the hriilge people to
gether," she raid. "Come along
with me I'll need you." She
patted Marie's cheek affectionate
Iv, "Have a good time, child
West is looking after you." Then
she moved on. Haslett carrying
her scarf and fan, and followed by
Willetts.
West claimed the next dance.
"This dance, sweetheart, then I
must do nw duty," he raid, "but
after that"
He held her as a lover would,
the rlaso a man longs to make
rloser. But he talked little, and
Marie was grateful to him. When
she stole a glance upward she saw
that his eves were bright ant
watchful. He had great ?elf
eontrol, httt he was excited; he
was apprehensive, just as she wa.
Breck wai with Mrs. Brant-Olwin
now. and Marie saw that from be
hind a group of people Walter
Greene was watching them; they
were talking while they danced, in
the same absorbed way in which
thev had talked at dinner, Breck's
head bent to catch what she said
and her fate lifted to his.
Gradually the ballroom cleared.
Groups moved into the drawing
rooms; those who did not nlay
cards were talking together. Bella
was not dancing; she was with the
card player?. West brought
. partners to Marie: she found her
self surrounded by younc men.
most of them mere boys. She felt
at ease with them, and most of
her partners wanted a second or
third dance. She wondered aeJiine
Iv how much longer she must con
tinue to dance, conscious all the
while of those two. Breck and Mrs.
Brant-Olwin, dancing together.
She allowed herself to he led into
the conservatory, but then Breck
brought his partner into the con
servatory and thev stood talking
together, Mrs. Brant-Olwin's hand
in his. as if he were bidding her a
lingering goodhy. Then Walter
Greene came in and beg?.n search
ing for an imaginary object behind
the palms. Marie burned with a
sick anger. Where wns Breck go
ing? To Mrs. Smith? Was he
parting with Mrs. Brant-Olwin in
this intimate fashion while Mrs.
Smith sold Mrs. Brant-Olwin's
iVwels to Mrs. Dntharton-Ke.nt?
Was all this attention to Mrs.
Brant-Olwin simply a cover to the
things which had happened else
where? It had been most noticeable. Mrs.
Brant-Olwin had danced with
others; she had made flying visits
into the drawing rooms a.nd into
the card room, she had been every
where at once, hot forgetful that
she was the guest of honor. But,
when the party settled down to
cards and dancing, she had danced
again and again with Breck. And,
save for his duty dance with Mar
iorie Caswell, Breck had danced
with no one else. Not ence
throughout the entire evening had
Marie been able to detect so much
as a glance in her direction. And
now he was going where? Mrs.
Brant-Olwin went with him into
the music room. Then Marie saw
Mrs. Brant-Olwin talking to Bella
in the drawing room. Breck must
have gone. He had gone without
a word or a look. Marie's finger
nails dug into the palms of her
clinched hands. She smiled at the
boy who was telling her of his
football achievements and wanted
to scream. From the moment she
had longed and longed to believe
hmad longed and longed to believe
in Breck, and he had dealt her
blow after blow. There was noth
ing left for her but allegiance to
those who had shown her affection,
tender consideration.
Then West took her away from
her partner. They danced, am'
. Marie felt the excitement Wes
was trying W curb. "I love yoti
little MarkI love you," h
whispered. His- oddly light eye:
