The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1904-03-30
Side bn side theu knelt.

Side bv side they knolt.
der once more Your health, my
guestr' he exclaimed, laughing harsh
ly. "But my hat, Francois. / have
business to perform, important bust
nessr'
He ambled out of the room. On the
street he was all politeness, removing
his hat to dark brunette who rolled
by i'm her carriage and pauslng TO chat
with another representative of the sex
of the blond type. Then he gayly
sauntered on until, reaching the thea
ter, he stopped and made a number of
inquiries. Who was the manager of
Constance Carew? Where was he to
be found? At the st. Charles hotel?
He was obliged TO monsieur, the ticket
seller, and wished him good day.
Entering the hotel, he sent his card
TO Barnes, requesting an interview,
and the manager, overcome by the hon
or Of such a visit, responded with alac
rity. The customary formalities over,
the nObleman congratulated Barnes on
the performance and led the CONVERSE
ton TO the young actress.
Pardon my curiosity" he said. with
apparent carelessness, but I'm sure !
remember an actress of the same name
in London, many years ago"
Her mother, undoubtedly" replied
the manager proudly.
'She was married, was she not, to-
"a scoundrel who took her for his
wife in one church and repudiated the
ties through another denomination
"Ah, a French-English MARRIAGE"
said the marquis blandly. "An old de-
vice! But what was this lovers
name"
This husbands, my lord"
Lover or husband. fancy it is all
the same to her now" sneered the
caller "She has passed the point
where reputation matters"
Her reputation is my concern, NJ. lie
Marquis"
"You knew her?' asked the noble
man, as though the conversation
wearied him. "And she was faithful
to his memory? No scandals; none Of
those little affairs women of her class
are prone to? There"-as Barnes start
ed up indignantly-"spare me your re-
proaches. I'm too feeble to quarrel
Besides, what is it to me? l was only
curious about her; that is all. But she
never spoke the name of her hus-
bandf"
mot even to her own child!'
"She does not know her fathers
namef' repeated the marquis. But
thank you. Mile. Constance is so
charming l must needs call TO ask
If she were related TO the London ac-
tress Good day, monsieur. You are
severe on the lover. Was ii not the
fashion Of the day for the actresses TO
take lovers or for the fops to have an
opera girl or a comedienne? Did your
most popular performers disdain such
diversionsf' he sneered. "Pardie. the
world has suddenly become moral! A
gentleman can no longer, 1t would
seem. indulge in gentlemanly follies."
Mumbling about the decadence Of
fashion. the marquis departed his
manner so strange the manager gazed
after him in surprise
With no thought Of direction his lips
moving. talking 10 himself in adynamic
fashion. the nObleman walked mechan-
ically on until he reached the great
cathedral. The organ was rolling. and
voices arose sweet as those Of sera-
phim. He hesltated at the portal and
then laughed 10 himself. "Well has
Voltaire said: Pleasure has its time;
so, too, has wisdom. Make love in thy
youth and in old age attend TO thy sal
vation.'" He repeated the latter
words: but. although he paused at the
threshold and listened. he did not en-
ter.
As he stood there. uncertain and
trembling. n figure rcp'e'e with youth
and vigor approached. aiI! glancing ~
ner, an exclamation escaped him ina
caused her to pause and turn.
"You are not we'll" she said solic-
itously "Can | help your
1T is nothing, nothing" answered
the marquis, ashy pale at the sight of
her and the proximity Of that face
which regarded him with womanly
sympathy. GO away"
Eat least let me assist you. You
were going to the cathedral? Come"
His hand rested upon her strong
v"nnG arm. He felt himself too weak