Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-24
BOOK iii.
CHAPTER I.
An INTERRUPTED Song.

fled. The German troops have left the
CITY,, Do you any indications of grim
visaged war or the terrible siege? No; no!
Paris is quite herself again"
And leaning complacently back in the
carriage, the speaker gazed, not without
pleasure, upon the fete-like scene up and
down the animated boulevards.
You see,' he went on, everybody is out
and-everybody is happy. That is why /
wanted to come to Paris-to feel young
again.
Her glance lighted with ready sympathy,
and, following his, fingered curiously upon
the stream of people in bright-colored
dresses and fresh spring bonnets.
On the sidewalk many in the promenad-
ing throng found likewise source for
speculation in the occupants of the public
conveyance, and turned to gaze after them.
The gentleman had snow-white hair. a
pale. refined face, an aristocratic bearing.
Inc girl was young, beautiful and, OBJ
viously, his daughter But whereas his
In Its responsibility, hers was serious,
earnest, yet proudly self-reIiant. That
they had just entered the city was APP
parent from the trunks before them.
turning into quiet thoroughfare, the
carriage drove up before four-story
dwelling, one of the older structures of the
street, antedating the mansion-building
period of the late emperor. The old gen
teman regarded the house almost eagerly
when from the unpretentious entrance
emerged thick-set, phlegmatic looking
woman.
You are looking for rooms. MONSIEUR"
she said, standing with arms akimbo and
turning her eyes from one to the other.
Yes; does Madame Fracard live here?"
An expression of surprise crossed the
woman's face. She has been dead these
ten years.
Dear; Dear exclaimed the old gentle
man. And Monsieur Fracard?'
a { CT al ell
anne"
The gentlemans face fell. Both gone!"
he said. Il am disappointed; l might
have expected it, yet"-regardng the girl
cit makes me feel Ike Rip Van Wrinkle"
Il was afraid you would be disappoint-
ed, she said gently.
Monsieur knew Madame Fracard?"
asked the woman.
For good many years 1 lived in Paris
here In this house, That was long ago,
Long ago.!
Some of the animation faded from his
face; he sank into momentary reverie.
If you wish to see rooms
He frightened at once. Good BY all
means! only''-with a whimsical look-"they
must not be so high up they used to be-"
Half an hour thereafter Mr.. Rossiter and
his daughter were seated in q little private
sitting room into which streamed the warm
sunshine. revealing the well-worn carpet
and heavy, though faded, hangings. Mr..
Rossiter peered about with unabated inter
est, examining the bric-a-brac and then
gazing down the street, while Elinor quietly
began to open some letters that they had
brought with them from the bank, where
they had stopped on their way.
Here is a letter from Posie Stanton
haven't read yet"
Mr.. Rosster with an air Of comfort,
drew a cigar from his pocket. Read your
mothers letter again, my dear; 1 only half
heard it"
''She thinks she will stay little longer
at the baths-the Reverend Doctor Glenn
ent Is there-it is not at all dull-She doesn't
think she will come to Paris, but will join
US later in London-when the season is
fairly begun there But look at it your
self'-handing him the missive-"and l will
glance over the Others"
Deliberately he began to peruse the epis-
tie, message long in paper, If short in
matter, for page of stationery could con-
tain but few words of the large impress
sive Handwriting of the good lady He had
reached the last page of the letter when
an exclamation caused him TO glance up.
what Is it, my dear?"
Nothing"
Not bad news from homer
Not at all she answered with con-
straint.
You didn't hear fron-any one else?" he
said. gazing at her half-wistfully and then
at the letters She professed not TO under
stand
YES" she answered gaily. at the same
time rising quickly; II have really quite a
voluminous correspondence. But how would
you like to go out? You show me the
sights you know. That is If it wont tire
you
Tire me?" He got up with alacri;y. Not
a Bit The winter a. the baths has made
quite a new man of me-
She gaZed at him searchingly-his white
face had a spot of color on each cheek;
his eyes an almost unnatural gleam-then
gravely took up his hat and handed him
his gloves and cane.
you very good to me. my dear he
observed. II don't know what should do
without you"
The shining brown hair just brushed the
white hair. 1--WE always have understood
each other very Wen; haven't WEI
WHAT" he laughed. Understand a
woman? Even though she is your own
daughter."
Her hand fell from his shoulder, and,
turning she drew on her gloves.
Il all ready If you are, papa
Their footsteps resounded loudly as they
descended. The house had a solitary,
gloomy aspect: Save for porter and Tie
woman. they had seen no one The latter
now stood at the door.
You will return for supper, monsieur"
Eyes, madame. You can prepare some
thing light. with one of those fine salads
perhaps and-somethng from the pats
serie. You can serve the meal in our sit
ting room at half-past six"
Have you many guests now" asked
Elinor, they were leaving
There are no others, madame" answered
the woman, soberly. strangers have not
yet begun to return to Paris
We'll. WELL" said Mr.. Rossiter, soothing
ly, "the city will soon fill up
But on the sidewalk he sighed
How unlike Madame Fracard" Then he
paused with amused expression before
flaming proclamation posted on one of the
walls: Death and bombsi-Daggers for the
traitors of the government
What does 1t mean, papa?'
Words! Just wordsr' he said lightly "A
call of the patriots to arms; to overthrow
the government. These gentlemen having
finished a war with the enemy now think
they would like an opportunity to kill one
another. But come, my dear. what do you
say to a drive in the park?''
She offered no demur and soon they were
driving toward the Arc de Triomphe When
they returned, the day was drawing to a
close. Through the mist, all golden lay
the city; in the distance trees and shrub
berry were suspended in magical light. A
brooding peace lay over sward and pave
ment. With knitted brows the girl looked
out; violence, bloodshed-what had they In
common with the fairy-ike city? Soothing
ly the breeze, redolent with flowers famed
her cheek. How beautiful was nature, and
yet life-how complex.
Slowly sank the sun; upon the retina of
her eyes yet remained an outline of the
l,-& <~1<.r H. zt~.- 49,.