Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-24

tone.
He smiled indulgentIy. what extrava-
Cancel But go ahead"
Therep' she said few moments later
1T makes quite an illumination, doesn't
And the meal passed merrily enough Mr..
Rossiter was profuse in his praise of the
aishes; the salad WAS mixed just right; the
wine suited his taste. He became VIVA
caous, anecdotal, and tales Of the empire,
stories OF the court, pictures of the people
he had seen and known in those early days
followed in quick succession. Elinor noted,
however, that despite his assertion when
they mad returned and his compliments on
the cooking, he ate even more sparingly
than usual. The flush on his face had
oeepened, although he had taken but little
or the wine, and, leaning her head on her
elbow, the girl watched him, occasionally
noddfng assent. Silently the woman moved
in or out of the room; then placing the
dishes on tray. she vanished with a curt
good night.
Mr.. Rossiter waved his cigar back and
forth as he talked, the past seeming to
crowd upon him-the gay, needless past!
His manner perplexed her: In the silent
house, perhaps by contrast, 1t affected her,
as she thought of the long. dark corridors,
the guests who had gone, the empty rooms.
He had been talking about the opera
the old opera-and now he arose and APP
preached the piano to exemplify his theme.
"Ah. they had real melodies in those
half turned toward her. Then a prima
donna was likened to a nightingale! A con-
cert was a charming occasion, not a bonn
bardment.
She pressed her hands together tightly.
Don't you think 1t is getting late, papaf'
He shook his head, his fingers continuing
to run over the keys. when-boomi boom!--
two loud Getonations afar were followed by
a distant volley of deep rumbling sounds.
The melody died on the singers lips.
.pWhy, what was that?' he said.
Elinor went TO the window, drew back
the curtain and looked out
DO you see anything he asked queru-
lousy.
Nothing
He went to the bell rope and pulled 1t.
No one answered. Again he strove to sum-
mon the woman or the porter
You stay here, papa" said the girl, after
an interval. I'll go down and find her.
Mr. Rossiter looked at the piano. He was
veXed put out. His song had been inter-
rupted and no singer. great or small, likes
to be stopped in the middle of a cadenZa.
In the dark entrance of the house Elinor
discovered the woman and the porter, look
ing down the street.
"What has happened?" she asked quietly.
But even as she spoke a number of boys
ran shouting down the thoroughfare: "Vive
la commune! Vive la commune
The woman's glance turned. THE COM
mune have pledged themselves to overthrow
the government, and'-folding her arms
A moment Elnor looked down thought
fully then retraced her steps to the sitting
room, where Mr.. Rossiter was pacing up
and down.
We'll, my dear, well?' he asked with a
certain impatience.
She did not wish needlessly to alarm him,
so made light of what she had learned,
but added: Perhaps, though. 1t may be-
come unpleasant here and we had better
leave tomorrow.
Tomorrow" his face expressed en-
phatic dissent Leave Paris! We have
Just come! Besides, there won't be any
serious trouble
She did not answer at once. To persuade
her father to go without unduly exciting
him might require diplomacy.
But If I'm afraid, papa?"
"Tut! tut! You don't know the Pa
risians, my dear. They are like
children-fond of proclamations and
Wont you go-for my sake?' she plead
ed.
Lightly he stroked her hair.
"Of course, If you really wish"
She put her arms about his neck
Very well, my DEAR
Good she exclaimed, almost gaily.
"And now"-her arms loosening-"go on
with your song"
(To be continued tomorrow