The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-15

| agent or the Hotel du Louvre, whose
fcvered appeals he had. by the bye. just
repulsed. and informed him that, on sec-
| ond thoughts, he had concluded to re-
| sign himself 10 his keeping, whereat
| the agent beamed with more than the
hospitality Of French provincial hotel
agents, aud bundled him into a vehicle
with his countrywomen.
Up 10 this point, Rayburn had taken
it for granted that TO put himself at
once on a friendly footing with COM
patriots-even female ones-would be
the most simple and natural thing in
the world. Now suddenly dawned upoE
himthe quandary OF just how to set about
il. There was something in the appear
ance of the two young women that made
such conventionnlity impertinent COM
monplaces as: 81 believe you're Ameri-
cans, are you not 2" seem as impossible as
il would be to raise his hat and accost
strangers on the streets of New York
Then he began to wonder whether il
would not be wiser 10 wait until they
should be less busily engaged in the dis
cusson of theirown plans, and when their
attention might be directed TO himself,
IL only for a moment. To be sure. il
crossed his mind that perhaps the very
fact that they were speaking before an
understanding listener, furnished him
with an excellent excuse for polite an
nouncement to that effect; but some
how the assurance with which he was
ynomeansp poorly supplied had entirely
deserted him, and he had begun to dread
the calmly indifferent glance which
the beauty and her companion had cast
over the occupants of the stage, only
less than the possibility that more par
ticular attention called to one Gerald
Rayburn might result in positive dis
favor. Meanwhile he told himself re-
peatedly, after the custom of men in
such situations, that he was an emphatic
variety of fool and extracted some slight
solace from the characterization.
All this time the conversation across
the stage WIS progressing with serene
unconsciousness. To be sure, nothing
was said Of confidential nature or that
the speakers could have had the least
objection TO bis hearing; but the man.
ner, as least, was confidential, and the
general information conveyed was, to
him. very considerable.
1t appeared that Miss Lowell and her
friend, whom she addressed as 'Ru6,"
were from Boston and had been study
Ing art in Paris for upward of year;
that the present trip had been under
taken by way of vacation, and AHyergne
selected because of reports as TO its
curious topography and general in
terest. Beyond this there were only
few scraps of art talk that were un-
punctuated with illusions
to certain Will Staples, and his opin-
ions on subjects, pictures and places;
all Of which filed Gerald with mild |
dislike of Staples and a very general
of his views.
few moments more. and the stage |
struck Oft into little side street and |
drew up before the Hotel du Louvre.
Rayburn reflected that he would have
much preferred one Of the hostelries
hat fronted on the Place dc Jaude, and.
while he grudgingly admitted that the
more retired location was perhaps bet
er suited 10 ladies travelling alone. he
nevertheless illogically laid it up as one
more ground for dislike against its
oresumptive suggestor. Will Staples.
So absorbed was he in the contempla-
ion of this grievance that he deliberate
y lost two chances he had counted
lpon. lie did not descend from the
tage first and assist them out with their
and luggage, for the simple reason
hat they were out before him, and q
apper little French commercial traveller
ad usurped his uuquestionable rights.
Neither did he secure the opportunity
4 getting 10 the register first and leav-
1gthe legend Gerald Eayburn. traveller,
lew York. 4. S. A." for their perussl
nd delectation. On the contrary, she
tho was his special admiration stepped
uicldy 10 the front and. as the circle
1 Frenchmen fell politely back, filled
ut her own and her companions blank.
hen he saw them disappear upstairs
! charge OF madame, the proprietress.
nd all he had gained was the additional
that Ruth" was Ruth J..
odges-which did not interest him in
he least.
Then. with painful doubt as TO
neither they would ever look at the
otel book again, be signed his own
anne and was shown 10 his room, con-
)liug himself with the thought that,
nyhSw. the place was less expensive
nan one in the Square. and that dinner
ould doubtless Offer him q better op-
ortunity.
In pursuance OF plans based on this
lea, he delayed disappearance In order
nat his young countrywomcn should
ave their seats assigned first and r7at
could locate himself accordingly.
never occurred 20 him that they .
ould naturally appropriate one OF the
tile tables that were set against the
all. In fact, none OF tie most obvious
rings has seemed to occur 10 him since
= had reached Clermont-Ferrand. and
c could only attach stronger emphasis
, his sclf-dcscrbcd folly and take his