The Indianapolis journal., 1903-11-15
6be Lady Who Shot the Rapids
IN G.. h . m

suspense. Her heart had fitted away. with
out a word of warning, into the keeping OF
a comparative stranger. She knew full
we'll this was not merely a passing wave OF
emotionalism; on the contrary, 1t was
great thrush Of Destiny's ever advancing
tide.
"You can do nothing" replied her aunt,
wisely. "You can but leave it for the gods
to decide. Be your own sweet self, do not
practice the small conceits Of ordinary
women You have a strong individuality,
you must rest on that"
Its just those other women who fright
en- me-" whispered Louise. THE world holds
so many fascinations. and London boasts
such a crowd of pretty faces. am afraid
Of being blotted out, swept away. Wny l
can count dozen or more far better look
ing than myself who will certainly be here
tonight. Is not Madame Diderots salon
celebrated for its beauty as well as Its wit!
Aunt Ida smiled. She was glad the girl
remained unconscious of her great beauty
These fears, which would have been pa
thetic i'm one less favored, appeared piquant
and highly amusing emanating from Louise.
The fancy 10 tease her little made Mad
anne Diderot recall the fact that Mrs. Ian
dale, a most extraordinary lady, notorious
for her daring and bewitching as she was
eccentric, had promised TO be present.
81 have never seen Mrs. Landale. Describe
her to me-" begged Louise. sitting an anx-
ious sigh. 'Ts she very dazzling and won
derful?"
Madame Diderot smiled. Yes; there are
moments when she is almost uncanny. Her
green eyes make one think of a siren. She
Is small and graceful, with a strange sup
pleness about her; she has white skin, dark
hair, very red lips. When one remembers
all she has done, one marvels that she still
lives. People are wild to be introduced
to her, not only on account of that myster-
ious charm but because she once successful
ly performed the amazing feat of shooting
some terrible rapids in America"
Louise shivered slightly. "It hardly sounds
human / suppose she did it for self-adver-
tisement and the love of notoriety?'
The girls face touched Madame Diderot
by its unusual sadness.
my DEAR" she said, lightly tapping her
nieces shoulder, you need not fear your
Nigel will want to be introduced to Mrs.
Landale since she is the wife of his faith
er's strongest political opponent. Landale
hates Henley like poison. Landales ambi-
tion is as the sting of asps; 1t sours his
whole life. Henley's ambition is of the nobler
kind, with humanity and high ideals run
ming like threads of gold through it's COM
position. Therefore Henley, through force
of goodness, has the greater power over
mankind, holds stronger influence sounder
views"
~f ,tv,cy iUhf q
er for Louise. She no longer regarded the
stumbling g-block in the path of her progress!
II.
Cupid sped I'm the wake of Louise Did
erot's tremulous footsteps-Cupid with his
ened, his little face puckered with mischief.
In her white frock, garlanded with pale
blush roses, she shone as the ideal repre-
sentative of la juene file
The night was oppressively hot Though
early in July those who had painted through
the London season were already talking of
departure.
Tired faces, which even artifice failed to
rejuvenate under becoming, shaded lights,
cried to their owners for sea breezes, or the
stimulation of mountain heights. River
ways called rural scenes enticed, the faint
ing season languished under the days over
powering sun, and the breathlessness of it's
nights.
With eager eyes Louise watched for
Nigel Henley. She felt quite sure he would
come; he was not the man to promise and
fail. One look in his eyes had convinced
her of his absolute sincerity when she whis-
pered at parting: Don't forget to-mor-
row."
Yet, despite her certainty. she was con-
scious of a pleasurable start, suggesting
surprise. when first he appeared in the wide
doorway, curtained only by smilax and
trailing flowers.
In a moment he met her eyes, and she
advanced quickly through the throng Of
guests who testified to her aunt's populari-
ty as a hostess.
With flushed cheeks she presented him to
Madame Diderot. The old lady only said
few words, but she rendered him her hand
with such charming air Of welcome. that
he realized at once she knew and UNDER
stood the fine art of entertaining.
Few people were able to analyze Madame's
success, yet all fell under the magnetic In
fiuence of her sway. In her rooms they
were happy, they knew not why. Brilliant
minds and clever tongues found the atmos-
phere congenial nervous comers lost self
consciousness; duh spirits Frightened. CATCH
ing the magic thrill.
Its the blood of an old saloniere resur-
rected in a woman of to-day" Nigel
thought, as he listened courteously to the
few words Madame Diderot spared him.
They made him feel like an old friend. they
waved aside formality, and worked a pleas
ing spell. Louise, blooming in his presence
like flower whose petals open to the smil-
ing morn, forgot her fears of the after
noon, till she heard strangers voice re-
mark enthusiastically.
''Looki That is Mrs. Landale, the dark
woman in yellow and silver. Isn't she ex-
quisite?'
Louise turned quickly, a sharp pang.
fraught with that strange overshadowing
OF trouble known as a presentiment, pierre
ing her heart.
She looked In the direction indicated by
the stranger. and instantly her gaze fell
upon the siren with the sea-green eyes-no
effect of light or shade could change the
color of those startling orbs-they were
long, narrow, searching, heavily fringed
by dark lashes. The dusky bands of ner
smooth thick hair rippled off her forehead;
and though not tall. her proud carriage gave
a certain idea of height. The lips. which