The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-06-19

Judge for yourself. il you will lunch
with us to-day, perfectly sans cere-
monie."
.sLunch?" stammered the complete
Iy dazed officer. "How?-where?"
'sRue Muril1o, as" cried Lucy Ba-
tail1e, galloping off and giving him a
pretty salute with her crop.
The old servant followed at proper
distance. The coupe drove off, and
Boucoiran remained alone with his
thoughts So that horrible Saint
Armel had not given up Lucie? He
even 1unched with herI Oh, those
husbandsl True, the diva was almost
pretty enough to make a man commit
crime.
At noon, precisely, Boucoiran was
at the door of cosy little house in
Rue Murillo. The vestibule, the stair
case. the salon were all in exquisite
taste. In a kind of sitting-room,
Lucie, clad in simple white gown,
received her guest.
Henri keeps us waiting she said.
"Do you know, Monsieur de Boucoi-
ran, I am quite displeased that you
did not call before?''
Really, madame, I am so engrossed
by my hard work that I find no time
for society. I hate music, conse-
quently have never even heard you
sing"
.sYou haven't lost much. I sing
only under compulsion.'
IF 1 am correctly informed you
sing every evening.
81? Why, haven't uttered a note
for over fortnight"
$50 much the worse for the ears Of
Paris, madame. If / were in Henri's
place 1 should urge you on in your
~ 20 f,-ia
SMILEY seems to have some influence
over you"
''Ah, if you knew how hard he is to
please!'
''And still, when he spoke of you
let me sect was the day 1 sold poor
Fleuron; he said that he would like to
see you at the opera"
''You are joking. What else did he
say? 1 am interested in his conf
dences to you
''Win you pardon me if enter into
details?''
Certainly, already regard you an
an old friend.'
''Wen, Henri said to me: She is
made to pay pages roles; with such
legs"
He spoke to you Of"
Sand to say that I never had the
curiosity to see theml l am so busYi
Besides, my tastes differ from Henri's.
We are not at all alike. 1 never could
understand his crazy idea of marry
ing
Lucille Bataille opened her eyes to
the fullest extent, but did not
swer. Boucoiron continued:
when he allowed us to guess the
coming catastrophe I said to myself:
My boy, if your American is not a
earirr I'm.
her a merry dance Confess that 1
knew Saint Armel thoroughly, and
still, now / understand why he wasn't
long in coming back to you.'
The young woman's face wore such
a queer expression that the captain
stopped short
81 fancy" he said after a pause,
'that you do not agree with me; or
rather, think your reserve in very
good taste. But 1 hear our friend
coming"
The next minute the two men were
gree ting each other effusively.
The mornings encounter was re-
lated. Boucoiran excused himself
for having SO cavalierly accepted
madame's invitation.
1T was case in which you had to
respond cavalierly," answered Henri,
''since Fleuron prese nted you
The three sat down to luncheon.
Confess" said the count, that
marriage hasn't changed me-"
81 almost feel like saying. not
enough! But I am not here to moral
ize. Besides, madame is your best ex-
cuse. But L am told that your night
ingale is silent. True, we are in win
ter, but that is precisely the time
when the nightingales of the stage
MARBLE their most brilliant notes."
Never did madrigal produce less eff
feet. Henri and the young woman
glanced at each other anxiously.
Have L said anything amissP''
asked Boucoiran. ''We1l, let us speak
of other things. Do you know. lovely
lady, that you are charmingly in
stalled? Such taste! Such comfort
Such cookl No wonder Henri likes
to lunch here, for L doubt if the con-
jugal board"
'Decidedly." said the supposed
Lucie Bataille, who began to show
signs of displeasure, ''yoH have a
grudge against my husba nd"
Your husband?" cried Boucoiran,
jumping from his chair, ''your hus-
band! You are his wife?''
Look here, my dear fellow" said
the count. pale with annoyance,
mime. de Saint-Armel will think you
are mad. Sit down and lunch quietly"
But Boucoiran had thrown down
his napkin, and before anyone
knew what he was about, had rushed
from the room. Never again has he
entered the Saint-Armel household
since he finally saw his horrible blum
der.