The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-04


eyes-what figure! Say. garconr' I
cried To the walter. who was passing,
come here. will you2" Then when he
did come, | had TO turn TO Jack in my
distress
Ask him Jack. ask him who she Is
l can't! Quick" You fool!'' he eXclaim-
Sa mster 6g one WoaiS thlhk y aon %Ss or
you II have the fever-its in the air. But
III ask, for TO be candid 1 would like
Her name was Iris, the garcon said
sort OF half-cagte, and one OF the greatest
coquettes i'm the city. Then. getting
confidential he told us (or rather told
Jack of the many young creoles OF the
place who had fahen prey TO her charms
and wiles; how she had toyed, duped
that would have done credit TO n demi-
monde of Paris and ending i'm throwing
them over with half cynical smile on
ssE ssd OefSa the earcoS sse told Sm as hsS
fought over her-neither of the parties
had been hit, but after exchanging
shorts, shook hands and parted. thank
Ing Bon Dieu." no doubt, for having
preserved their lives from being thrown
away so foolishly.
: My eyes. the meanwhile. had been
resting upon her. She turned. saw me
and smiled So did L. 1T was worse
then ever then. and / nudged Jack. lie
come over. which she did walking across
the room. her shoulders bacl> head erect.
and all together with the air of a
princess.
Bon soir." she said. as she sat down.
''vous etes les American"
Jack Immediately began 10 talk with
her-l could Mt you know, and simply had
TO sit quietly. contenting myself with
looking at her and getting an occasional
smile. How long we sat there ! can
say, but after a time the dance ended and
We left, bidding Iris "au revoir," she
making a graceful courtsey as we walk
ed away. l raved half the way home
about her. and let Jack tell me some of
the new cases in "Elephantiasis" the
The carnival progressed and Jack and
for want OF something better TO do In
course we saw Iris and our little tete-
| tetes grew to be an accustomed thing.
and she would watch for us. We en-
| joyed the quaint mannerisms and occa.
| slonal snatches OF song that would burst
her ear. She liked jack-I could see
| that-and WE'LL didn't blame her.
The last night the Carnival came a;
| last and indeed We regretted IL, for many
pleasant, interesting hours had been pas
sed. / thought at one time ] could de-
tect tears in Iris eyes as the dance
came 10 a close, for she too. no doubt.
realized that the good times were nearly
bottle OF champagne. but strange TO say
she refused to allow H.. The garcon
smiled-undoubtedly he thought It ex-
ceedingly strange for Iris to refuse cham
psgne-she never had before. She
wouldn't have any however-didn't like
IL she said. and would rather have cog
nae.
Jack too. had begun TO take a decided
fancy TO the gtrl-"in fatherly way. he
said. ! had TO turn my face away when
he said it--didn't want him 10 see my
smile at his remark, you know.
For two days after the close of the
fete We did not go into the city. Jack
was too busy he said. on some expert
ment or other. and | spent the time pc
rusing The Passing Emperor" lying out
stretched in my hammock.
IL was the afternoon OF the third day,
and as | lay in my customary position. a
step behind me ON the walk. caused me
70 half raise from my easy posture.
natural, scared look upon her face, that
i sprang up quickiy--crying:
"lrisl Iris! what is it?-what is the
But she could only sob and cry, Mon
sieur lie Docteur!-Monsieur Jack! Jack"
Jack, come here-quick" | yelled. and
I'm a moment he came bustling through
What's up?' no asked. Then he saw
Iris standing there. her face covered with
her hands sobblng and moaning pteous-
ly. He spoke TO her took her hand in
his-a moment-then turned Go me with
a serious look upon hts face.
Ted" he said--"the feveri-it has
broken out in the lower part OF the city
two days ago. They tried 60 keep IL
down. But IL was no use. Iris father has
it-her mother is dead and the poor girl
is half crazy with fright What's 70 he
done?"
whats 10 be done!" repeated-"why
WHY don't know--you ought to"
Jack stood thinking a moment-then
turned abruptly. went into the house.
returning moment later with his hat
and coat.
"Ill be back in an hour or So" ne ex-
claimed. 'I am going TO her home" and
before IN had given me time 20 say a
word he Vas walking down the road with
Iris.
There lay for two hours. waiting for
his return. and the thoughts that were
passing through my mind We're not tho
plSasantest ones I'm the world.
Jack returned, pulled up a chair near
mo and lit bis pipe. knew he was 60
ing 20 say something, 80 l remained
quiet.
Ted, he began. 'its the fever sure
enough. The island is under quarantine
L. - ~ - =