Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-14
TWO AMERICAN
BY BRET HARTB.,.
Copyright. 1895, sby Bret Harte.,

--.a
Copyright. 1895. ssy Bret Harte,
Written for The Evening Star =,
Concluded From Last saturdays Star.
But Miss Helen did@not show that when
she had looked after the retreating figure
Of her protector as he. descended the stairs
ttat night, he was really carrying away on
those broad shoulders the character she
had so laboriously gained during her four
years solitude. For when she came down
the next morning the concierge bowed to
her with an air Of easy cynical abstraction
the result Of long conversation with his
wife the night before He had taken Hell
ems part with a kindly cynicism. "Ah,
what would you-it was bound to come.
The affair of the Conservatoire had settled
that The poor child could not starve; PEN
niless she could not marry. Only why con-
sort with other swallows under the caves,
when she could have had a gilded cage On
tn. first etage? But girls were so foolish
in their first affair; then 1t was always
love. The second time they were wiser
And this MANNED warrior and painter was
as poor as she. A compatriot. too. Well,
perhaps that saved some scandal; one could
never know what the Americans were ac-
customed to do The first floor, which
had been inclined to be civil to the young
teacher, was more so-but less respectful.
One or two young men were tentatively
familiar until they looked in her gray eyes
and remembered the broad shoulders of the
painter.
Oddly enough, only Mademoiselle Fifine
or her own landing exhibited any SYM
pathy with her, and for the first time Helen
was frightened. She did not show it, how
ever, only she changed her lodgings the
c11 1off h. I-I
few moments conversation with the con-
cierge and an exchange of a word or two
with some of her fellow dodgers. 1 have
already limited that the young lady had
pretty turn for handling colloquial French
and an incisive knowledge of French char
acter She left No. "a Rue de Frivole
working itself into white rage, but ut
terry undecided as to her real character.
But all this and much more was pres
entiy down away in the hot breath that
swept the boulevards at the outburst of
the franco-German war, and Miss Helen
MAYNARD disappeared from Paris with
many OF her fellow countrymen. The ex-
cltement reached even a quaint old chateau
IN Brittany where Maj. Ostrander was
painting. Inc woman who was standing
tne broad terrace observed that he looked
disturbed: What matters?" she said
gently. You have progressed so we'll lin
your work that you can finish 1t elsewhere
france
with frontier garrisoned by troops while
have villa in Switzerland where YOU
could sun be my guest. Paris can teach
you nothing more, my friend; you have
ON! 10 create now-and be famous"
L must go to Paris" he said, quietly. "I
nave ds-countrymen-there, who may
want me now"
III you mean the young singer of the
rue de frlVoie you have compromised her
already You can do her no good.'
'Madame"'
Inc pretty face which he mad been IA
t m1nar with for the past six weeks some
now seemed 10 change it's character I'm
der the mask Of dazzling skin he fancfed he
saw the high cheek bones and square Tar
tar angle; the brilliant eyes were even
brighter than before, but they showed
IA hH re OF the white than he had ever seen
In them Nevertheless she smiled, with an
equal stormy revelation of her white teeth
and said still gently: Forgive me If 1
thought our friendship justified me in being
arank,,perhaps too frank for my own
good Size stopped as if half expecting
an interruption but as he remained looking
wonderingly at her she bit her lip and
went on You have a great career before
you. Inose who helpeyou must do so with
out entangling you; q chain of roses may
be as impeding as lead. Until you are indie
pendent you-who may in time compass
everything yourself-will need to be helped.
have but one arm" II 3D.
I'm your kindness and appreciation YOU
have made me forget it," he stammered.
Yet he had swift vision of the little
bench at Versailles where he had not for
gotten 1t, and as he glanced around the
empty terrace where they stood he was
struck with fateful resemblance to 1t.
>. AND should not remind you now of
it, she went on, Except to say that
money can always take its place AS in the
fairy story, the prince must have a new
arm made of gold" She stopped, and then
suddenly coming closer to him, said hur-
riedly and almost fiercely: "Can you not
see that am advising you against my in
terests-against myself? Go then to Paris
and go quickly before 1 change my mind
Only if you do not find your friends there
remember you have always one here" Be
fore he could reply or even understand that
white face, she was gone.
He left for Paris that afternoon. He went
directly to the Rue de Frivole. His old
resolution to avoid Helen was blown to the
winds in the prospect of losing her utterly.
But the concierge only knew that mademoi-
selle had left day two after monsieur
had accompanied her home. And-pointed-
ly-there was another gentleman who had
inquired eagerly and bountifully, as far
as money went, for any trace of the young
lady 1t was Russo. The concierge smiled
to himself at Ostrander's flushed cheek.
1t served this one-armed conceited Ameri-
can poseur right. Mademoiselle was wiser
in this second affair.
Ostrander did not finish his picture. The
princess sent him check, which he colby
returned. Nevertheless he had acquired
through his Russian patronage a local
fame which stood him well with the picture
dealers, in spite Of the excitement of the
war. But his heart was no longer in his
work. A fever Of unrest seized him which