The Portland daily press., 1898-04-25
COPYRIGHTED. 1897, b
Chapter SHORTCOMINGS.

calmly discussing the matter from vari-
ous standpoints, and as we arose his Ex-
cellency again congratulated me upon the
soundness of my views, laughingly de-
olaring that instead of penning the Earl
impatient and irritating dispatches he
ought to appoint me to a post abroad.
Full of citation, 1 descended the Estairs,
broad, so thickly carpeted that my feet
fell noiselessly, and met unexpectedly a
few moments later, my friend Captain
Junior Military Attache, who greeted me
with hearty British hand grip.
'Didn't expect to meet you here, old
chap" he cried. IT thought you were
tied up in the chiefs private room al
ways, and never allowed out of Eng
land"
"This is the first time I've been here
officially" 1 replied laughing.
=. What's the trouble? Anything start
lingP he inquired.
mo, nothing very extraordinary, I
remarked oarelessly. 'I've seen the
Marquis and concluded my mission"
Continuing, 1 extracted promise to
evening, as intended to leave the next
day, and after brief conversation we
parted. Along the shady side of the Rue
du Faubourg st. Honore, I strolled leis-
urely, turning into the Rue Royale, pass
ing the gloomy facade of the Madeleine,
the Grand Cate. Paris possessed but lit
tie attraction for me in my gloomy frame
of mind. Five years of my youth had
been spent there and know the city in
every mood, but to-day plunged as I was
in debauch of melancholy, its gay as
poets under the warm sunshine Jared
upon me.
On leaving the Embassy it had occurred
to me to call upon an old friend, who, in
my student days, had shared rooms with
me, but who had been returned as Deputy
at the last election, and now lived in the
Rue des Petits- Chaps. With that object
] had walked along mechanically, and in
stead of turning down the Rue des. Capu-
cines, as should have done, I found
myself in the Place de l'Opera. Then,
seating myself at one of the tables In
front of the Grand Cafe, I ordered
s'bock" and contemplatively watched the
gay crowd of passers-by.
When last had sat at that spot it was
with Ella, on the night before we had re-
turned to London from our honeymoon.
Well remembered how happy and con-
tent she had been then; how she had en-
joyed the light cosmopolitan chatter about
her, and how fondly we had loved each
other. In those days she had mingled ten
der words with her kisses, which seemed
to bear my soul away. Yet how weary
and full of terrible anxiety had been the
nine months that had elapsed since that
delightful autumn night, the last of our
lazy tour through rural France. When
reflected upon all the remarkable occur
rsnces they seemed like some hideous
nightmare, while she herself appeared
striking, yet mysterious. as the fair vision
in some half-remembered dream.
Thus was I sitting alone at the little
handicapped table, gazing into space,
wondering, as did daily, how my lost
wife Jared, and whether she ever gave
single passing thought to the man who,
Notwithstanding all her faults and
when before my eyes there arose for q
second a face that was in an instant
familiar.
A man, short of stature and well dressed
had lounged leisurely by with a cigarette,
but scarcely had he walked a dozen yards
beyond the cafe when 1 jumped up, and
rushed along, accosted him.
1t was Ivan Renouf.
He turned sharply at mention of his
name, regarding me with an
inquiring glance, but next second ex-
pressd pleasure at our meeting. Together
we retured to the osfe and chatted ami
cably over a mazagram. Presently, alter
we had been speaking of our last inter
view at Mrs. Laing's, asked him the
truth about his sudden dismissal from her
service.
'What your wife told you was quite cor
rect," he answered, with mysterious
smile. II was detected
"You are generally too wary to be
caught by those upon whom you are keep
ing observation" I remarked.
Slowly he selected fresh cigarette, and
laughing carelessly answered: SIT was
not by accident, but by design that I
was caught. My object was already OBJ
tanned. and I desired to be discharged at
once from Madam's SERVICE
fsGbaN loft london almost dS,to
Eyes, am quite aware Of that. 1t was
best for her." he observed. rather abrupt
'My wife also fed on the same day."
exclaimed slowly. 81 haven't seen her
since"
At this announcement he betrayed no
surprise, but merely remarked. $50 I
have heard"
"Tell me,'' I urged earnestly. "Do
you know anything Of her movements?
l am endeavoring to find her, and am in
utter despair"
With sharp glance at me the great de-
tective stirred his long glass, raised it to
his lips, and took deep draught. Then
slowly replacing 1t upon the table, he
coldly answered:
II know nothing of your wife's where
abouts, m'eieur.
"Am I to understand that you refuse
10 l6il t1e Any UuluS1 i ASKED annoyed.
He shrugged his shoulders. but an
swered no word. I detested him instinct
lively.
SIS it not strange that they should both
have fed in this extraordinary manner?"
/ suggested. "Can you assign any motive
whatever for their fight?''
81 am really not good at conundrums,
he replied, indifferently. "But if you
took my ADVICE m sieur. you would
abandon all thought of her, for at least
one fact was quite plain, namely, that
Mademoiselle never loved you"
chow do you know that?" cried,
with sinking heart, as the CHASTITY truth
was forced upon me for the thousandth
time
From my own observations" he an
swered looking straight at me across the
table. Your marriage was, am fully
aware, an unhappy one; therefore you
should regard it as entirely as of the past
She will never trouble you again, 1 can
assure you.
"Why?" I demanded. .Your words
indicate that you are fully aware Of the
true facts Tell me all, Renouf, and set
my mind at rest
''I have told you all. m 'sieur," he said,