Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-28
CHAPTER VIII.
Richard Strong Leaves Paris

CHAPTER VIII.
Richard Strong Leaves Paris.
Slowly Richard Strong began to retrace
his way, conscious now of weakness, or
WEAKNESS, or both. The front entrance of
the hotel. which he presently reached. he
found clear of rubbish. and, at the door,
the rotund face of no less a person than
the proprietor. beaming with the good
humor OF returned exile.
monsieur wishes room?' he said. as
Richard Strong walked In. Monsieur al
ready has room? Then I welcome him,
or rather he welcomes me-"
Has any one been here to see me?'
mo one"
Entering little smoking room, adjoining
the office, Richard Strong sank into a
chair; mechanically began to look over the
English and American papers on the table
In the center of the room. Through force
of habit he glanced at the quotations of
the American market, but his mind soon
wandered from fractions and figures, and
leaning back, he endeavored to formulate
his plans.
Should he see her before he went7 What
inference could be drawn save that she had
no wish to meet him again? The commune
was over; she was out of danger; his GRAND
ended.
Ended He repeated the word to HIM
self. Eyes, endedr'-and touched a bell
The proprietor answered 1t himself.
when does the next steamer sail from
Havre?"
The man went to a rack and took there
from several folders.
Zone boat leaves tomorrow; another next
week, Tuesday. Or'-consulting second
list-"if monsieur cares to sail from Ply
mouth
Tomorrow? Yes: might go tomorrow.
IF monsieur desires, will book his pas
sage"
mo. Give me the address. If decide to
go, will attend to 1t myself"
LAS monsieur pleases!" And with a little
shrug the man left.
Restlessly the other strobe to and fro,
knowing he was weak now; that he hung
back from that which circumstances told
him he should do 1T may be she has been
ILL.," He began to find reasons, excuses for
his failure to receive word or message from
her. Surmise bred surmise: expanded into
apprehension; the hotel had become intol-
cradle, and, taking up his hat, he left the
room
How shall I reach Madame Fracards?"
The porter wrote an address on card.
Monsieur turns three streets to the left.
two to the right and then straight on"
The shades of twilight were falling as
Richard Strong once more left the hotel,
but by the time he had reached the vicinity
Of Madame Fracards, night had fairly en-
veloped the city. From the opposite side
he studied the building and was about to
cross, when the curtain of one of the lower
windows was drawn aside, and plainly he
saw her whom he sought; looking out-with
the simmer of light in her hair-the slen-
derness of her figure outlined against the
white glow Of the lamp.
From afar he regarded her. discerning
very distinctly, until a swift movement
of a white hand and the drapery was
drawn, shutting him out from sight of her.
For some moments he continued to gaze
at the window. She was not Ill; had not
been i'll. Yet he had lain there at the hotel
two days-alone-.
Slowly he began to walk away; then
stopped. The memory of the light in her
eyes that night they had faced death to-
gether seized him. He saw her again as
he had seen her then and retraced his
steps.
From neighboring cafe came the sound
of voices, and, obeyng the desire to linger,
he moved toward one of the little iron
legged tables and seated himself. Between
her window and him flowed a ceaSelss
traffic at the curb a street singer twanged
a guitar; passing and repassing many ven
ders proffered their wares with brisk inter-
change of pleasantly.
to which he nodded without hearing,
whereupon the man vanished only to reap
pear with a foamng glass. AS Richard
Strong sat there, the figure of a woman
leaving the Fracard house and turning
quickly into the street caused him to half
start from his chair. Now the lights from
the window of a pastry shop shone upon
her-a person short, heavy, of middle age
and again he sank back.
Darkly the walls of the house across the
way continued to answer his gaze; from
one two windows cleaned faint sug-
gestion of light somewhere within; once
a spark flashed back and forth and disap-
peared like will-o'the- wisp. over Rich
ard Strong gradually crept a strange i'm
preston; a feeling of detection; despond-
ency.
Two chess players at adjoining table
piled their game and abstractedly he
watched the moves. noting how the con-
flict often hung in the balance.
To cross over or to return to his hotel?
He weighed the propositions.
now the white men the chessboard
pressed the black, but In the contest hon
were even. "If white WINS said Rich
ard Strong to himself "I'll go to Madame
Fracards." He did not know whether he
really meant it, but with new interest
watched the tide of battle. en- on, adj
vanced the white pieces! The loyal SUBJ
jects rallied to their king. He is lost"
thought the observer when sudden flank
movement, a swift pressing forward of
knight, bishop and queen, and the white
King was mated.
Richard Strong arose. and without stop
ping for the change from the silver piece
he handed the waiter, walked quickly
away. Later that night he left Paris
CTo be concluded tomorrow)