The National tribune., 1893-01-26

did, for 81 cents pin compris,
was tall pale. serious-looking American, who
had trained himself to endure anything on TINS
planet except the glance of pretty woman.
In the matter of pretty women's glsnces ME-.
Austin was distinct and dismal failure, Ana
yet the women themselves, barring their eyes,
he admired above all things, but it was with
critical classical admiration which made him
much prefer them in marble and bronze to the
fesh and blood articles.
Nevertheless. on certain night, this same stu
dent Austin. at once so timid and heroic, found
himself face to face with desperately pretty
woman, and-but the sequel will tell what he
did Austin the philosopher was strolling the
boulevards, calm and severe in the midst OF
pleasure scenes and pleasure-seekers As the
fhrong thickened he Strengthened up, pulled at
his yellow mustache, and told himself 1t was sii
etaudry and frivolous show. The fakirs in the
long line of holiday booths grated on his ears
with their cries, and the gay shop-windows
called forth his stern disapprovsl as calculated
10 make people spend money in nonsense. As
for the crowd itself, he regarded them in gen.
ersl way as fools, except the women, whom he
did not regard at all.
So be kept on his way for about an hour,
busy with his reflections, until he suddenly be-
came aware that ne had turned into one of the
quiet resident avenues near the Champs Ely
sees, and that q young woman, stylishly
dressed, was walking few steps before him.
A closer look convinced him that she must be
remarkably pretty young woman. The pose
Of her head was ss good ss anything he had
seen in the Louvre. She was tall, with full
bust and there was freedom and supple grace
In her movements worthy of Diana. He par
ticularly admired the heavy coil of glossy black
hair, worn low on q neck whose skin had that
olive golden tinting so beautiful in some OF
David's pictures. She was certainly an exquis-
lite creature, and Austin the artist decided
forthwith by inductive reasoning that, unless
nature had been hopeless blunderer IN her
case this lady must have full. red lips, and
pair of goddess eyes, not black or brown, like
an everyday brunei, but blue under dark
fringe of lashes.
"Ah, what q splendid statue that woman
would have made" he sighed, and then sud-
denly remembered that the subject of his
analysis was not beautiful piece of stone, but
alive, very much so. indeed and might at any
moment turn and rend with her glances
Austin the womsn-fearer. He quaked at this
thought, and as he qusked the lady stopped,
faced squarely about, and looked him in the
face with just such deep-blue, heavily fringed
eyes US be had pictured, except that there were
tears in them. Opening the reddest of lips
over the whitest of teeth the fair stranger
addressed him with the result that he, the bold
philosopher, nearly tainted on the spot Her
French was pure enough for the Academy, and
her voice had such music in its tones as Aus
tin had never heard save on the one momentons
occasion when he had gone to the Coincide
Francaise. Her lip quiyered as she spoke.
a am in great trouble, Monsieur. My
friends and family have failed me when /
need them most. Can you, oh, Mon Dieu,
will you, help me?" She spoke with that
forced calm which tells of desperation.
Austin's timidity gave way to utter amaze
ment. Here was the fairest woman he had
ever seen, with the dress and air Of princess,
actually asking him, poor devil of Latin
Quarter student, TO help her. Would the sky
fall next? For the first time in his life he
felt the glow of chivslry warming his pulses.
BE replied, coloring to the roots of his yellow
hair, and speaking g more atrocious French
than usual:
Il am very sorry, madam. but am only a
poor artist. ] live close under the roof in a
wretcbed hotel in the students quarter such as
you probably have never seen. j have five
francs though, which you are welcome to if
you will take them. / wish had more"
Austin drew the FIVE franc piece from his
pocket and handed it 10 the fair lady with q
feeling of almost guilty humiliation. She
looked at him silently, thinking.
walk with me-" she said, "a little way,
and tell me your story. You misunderstood
me. do not want your money, but you may
help me, perhaps. in better way"
Very awkwerdly Austin offered the lady his
arm. and they walked together for long time
be telling her how he had left America two
years before with small store of savings, and
come to Paris TO study. As he went on with
his simple tale of ambition and self-den.al,
the young woman's eyes burned brighter, and
abe gripaed his arm nervously now and then, as
If q prey TO some emotion she could scarce
control.
And during eli these months you have
lived in Paris you have had no pleasures? no
nights Of gayety such as other young men en-
10Y? nothing but work."
Austin shook his head and admitted that
such was the case.
And have you never played cards-never
Rambledf"
"Jamais." said Austin, with the emphasis of
lofty resolution, and the word being a short
enc, he pronounced it tolerably well.
His companion stopped again abruptly,
tapped gioved finger on her full lip as she
reflected, and then hailing . carriage, said:
"Come, it may be my salvation and yours,
too
Bewildered, but drawn on by some force
which he did not understand, Austin entered
the carriage after his mysterious companion,
and they were driven away rapidly to an adj
dress which she had spoken to the driver.
Presently tue carriage entered q courtyard lit
up with lanterns as if for fete. Flunkeys in
powdered wigs received them
DO not be afraid; follow me" the fair lad
whispered, as they passed into q vestibue
banked with flowers. Then she said a few
words TO one of the attendants, who took Aus
tin by the arm and led him into a dressing
room, where domino was given him. Hardly
knowing what he was doing. he put il on as
directed, and WAS presently Joined by his I'M
known friend, she, too. being similarly dis
fuised.
Now give me your arm and come this way"
she said
They passed through ballroom crowded
with masked dancers, and entering another
room, equally brilliant at the farther end they
found themselves in q sort of hall furnished
entirely in green, where groups Of men and
women were sitting about green covered tables
absorbed in some occupation which Austin en-
tirely failed to comprehend. He saw. however
that each person had before him a pile of gold
and bank notes, IS well as pieces Of ivory Of
different colors. Some OF the piles were large
nd some small, ard the players seemed TO be
moving the money back and forth like clerk,
In a counting house. Austin wondered vaguely
II they were gambling, but he knew so little
about il that he was ashamed to ask. So b,
simply continued TO wonder and await develop
ments. He did not have to wait very long
Bis friend drew from her purse q roll of bill
and handful of gold. She empted the purse
take this" she said, land lay it down OF
enc of these tables"
Austin looked at the money placed in hi
hands in a stupid sort Of way, and then said;
(which tablet"
Either one you please"
'I'l take this one" he said. going up to thu
nearest table. "Where shall lay itf"
s'Whareyar rou nieasen