Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-28

Of curiosity. But she did not show It. she
only said:
she Is not at home. monsieur"
"Can you tell me where she is7'
"But, yes. monsieur. She Is at her work
am her sister; IL the matter Ia not
private one you may tell me what IT is and
will tell her when she returns"
perhaps It might be better II saw
herself" the man said. "Can you tell me
where one may find herr"
but yes, monsieur. It is In the Rue de
Bac, between the quay d'orsay and the
boulevard st. German, at No. ga va
cherie.'
Thanks, 'm'selle."
No more-the man turned away. Jeanne
looked through the wicket and saw him
step into q facre. Then she, too. stepped
out, got into another hacre and gave the
driver the same address, At the entrance
Of the Rue du Bac she alighted. The foot
man by that time had entered the vacherie
and asked for Marie. Marie was not there.
Madame, the proprietress, told him that
Marie had asked leave to be out for an
hour that day. She might, however, be
expected back within Ave or ten minutes.
II he would wait. Jeanne, hanging behind
the large column OF a house frontage. saw
the man come out Of the shop and stand
waiting at the door.
Marie away from work in the middle Of
the day? What in heavens name could 1t
all mean? The light Of a tigercat's eyes
cleaned greenish in the woman's intense
glances. Her heart beat high with excite
ment.
In five or six minutes Marie came running
with hot face toward the door of the va
cherie. The messenger knew her at once.
He stepped toward her.
"Are you Marie Carhaix?"
She started.
"Yes, SIR"
He took the letter from his breast pocket
and handed 1t to her.
A blush Of vivid crimson deepened in her
flushed face as she ran her eyes over the
letter. Here was Joy beyond dreams, and
communion with the great ones Of the
earth! Twice, in a tremor OF happiness
she read it. Then Jeanne saw her deliber-
ately take the sheet and tear it into the
minutest bits, some of which she cast into
a passing hay cart, and some on the breeze.
and some down q grating in the street near
BY
The man smiled, and bowed, and turned
away.
She called after him:
"Say 1t will be well-and thousand,
thousand thanks from the grateful heart
of Marie"
He bowed again, and walked off.
Marie was due in her shop, but the shop
today was out of the question. Instead Of
entering 1t, she got into cab. She had
Just left Armand. She knew where to find
him. In another cab Jeanne followed her.
This, for some reason or other, was a
day of festival and large-hearted liberality
with Armand. Yonder at the restaurant
au Regent in the Rue Gironfet, red that
day flowed the wine. At the back Of the
house there was large open yard; at the
back Of the yard an arbor.
Today 1t was the very home Of riot. AS
Marie sped down the little lane that led
from the wicket besides the restaurant
proper. burst upon burst OF merriment from
within this temple of pleasure greeted her.
That morning Armand had scribbled down
the score Of a song, which was afterward to
be famous all over France. and he had man
aged to dispose Of 1t to q music dealer on
the quai st. Michel for four napoleons.
Never millionaire rolled and luxuriated in
the consciousness Of inexhaustible opulence,
az Armand with four napoleons in his
pocket. How to dispose Of all this excess
and superhuity Of wealth? With one-half
Of It he bought a cheap wedding ring. Then
he sat down and commenced writing out
fantastic invitations.
What was the cause Of the fete? Perhaps
only one Of the wild whims of the incalcula-
ble Armand. No one knew. Armand guarded
It In his bosom, sacred secret.
Sober minded Marie had insisted upon re-
turning to her work. When. after so short
an interval, she put her head inside the lit
tie gothic door, there was a shout, and
unquenchable laughter-that kind Of
laughter which has in 1t the gurgle and
eclat of bright wines. Every one now was
fuddled, and the girls had begun to lean
their heads on their neighbors' shoulder.
Marie entered with smile of comprehen-
sion and Indulgence all round. and bow
and look Of love at Armand. He leaped
toward her, with flushed face. One Of the
girls had picked two or three tendrils from
the creepers, and crowned his head.
She led him at once by the sleeve down
to the back of the arbor, where there were
no tables. The noise and the laughter Of
the others went on meanwhile.
She was bursting with the news. Joy
danced in her eyes.
"Mr Vansittart is coming!"
"To your rooms"
"Where to?'
"To your rooms"
"When?"
Tonight"
"Now. that is cursed luck, Marie! He
can't, that's all.
1t did not occur to the young man that
1t was a compliment for the virtual ruler
of France to visit his squalid apartments.
Armand habitually thought himself-and, no
doubt was-the greatest man in the world.
Maries eyes opened wide In surprise.
"But-you are drole!" she cried. "Is 1t
not, then, a great thing for us?''
1T is absurd! I cannot listen to 1t. To-
night of all nights. 1t Is bete!"
They spoke in a somewhat high voice. The |
noise Of the merriment made this necessary.
Just near them. outside. hidden by the leaf |
age OF the arbor. crouched Jeanne, hearing |
every word.
mo" said Marie. "you must listen to |
one, and be practical. Why. he will not |
stay long!" she cast her lashes down, with |
a deep flush. "Will we not have the time |
after he is gone, whole hours?"
"Sweet!"
"Darling!"
"But 1t Is a bore"
"No-you will be good"
"When Is he coming?"