The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1906-11-24

ternson. 1 am stopping at the Con.
tinental.' you know"
He had heard that she was staying
at the Gordon House., but Dame Ru.
NOR is uncertain authority.
I'm case you forget. shall write
1t on your card" she continued with a
tone Of coQuetry. Perhaps you
would like Mile. Dupont's autograph.
Ihave been told formerly that 1t was
much valued possession. Your pencil,
please"
August Parker rushed in at that
moment, dripping with rain. his hand
some evening clothes ruined and his
temper in not much better condition.
Thomas has at last arrived. Miss
Farnley." he burst forth, utterly ignor
ing Faircourt's presence. After hunt
ing all over town for him. or some
other carriage, met him at the cor
ner. driving leisurely along. He said
that Nancy fell down and 10 he went
to the stable for another horse. The
scoundrel! to keep you waiting this
long. and all alone. too
calm ensuing after his storm of words.
caused Parker to notice Faircourt for
the first time. A slight frown gathered
between his brows. But the girl was
not to be daunted now.
Mr.. Faircourt. allow me to present
Mr.. Parker" she said quietly.
Both men acknowledged the intro
ductton somewhat stifny. The situa.
ton was strained.
I'VE must hurry; the folks will be
worried" the girl continued. 'Au re-
voir. Monsieur" she murmured softly.
She did not glance at his face as
she spoke. His eyes. however. were
averted. He seemed not to hear the
whispered farewell. But the girl did
not soon forget the tall. erect figure.
standing motionless in, the brightly
lighted lobby. She felt her "au re-
voir" slightly inadequate.
John Faircourt stood a. one stun.
ned. He heard the door close after
them. he heard the creaking Of the ice
under their feet and the horses slip
ping as the carriage started. but all
as In dream.
1t was only as gay group came
laughing and talking into the lobby
that he fully realized the situation.
Five or six men surrounded fashily
dressed actress and banded jokes
with her.
Il wager diamond sunburst, II Is
so,' he heard one exclaim. Another
shouted. Good boy, the governor must
have struck 1t rich In Texas"
I'll take you up on It," laughing
feminine voice replied. At this. all
the men laughed loudly.
What 10 the fair Duponts' stalker
asked one.
"A kiss. I'll have kiss or nothing"
cried the one who had made the bet.
All the men clapped him on the back
and urged him on.
ITS go" she cried. with a bold
glance. but I'll win." she added. with
a laugh In which all the men joined.
These were the parting words that
Faircourt heard as the door closed.
They suficed to bring him back to
earth with a thud.
The fair Dupoat" Of the wager was
Mile. Dupont. the beautiful French
actress he had worshiped from afar
He recognized the red gold hair. the
fair, painted skin. the carmined lips
and graceful form. The voice. too.
with its slight accent called up the
Camille" of the play.
But all were robbed of the glamor
the stage had lent them. all stood out
boldly in their artificiality. She was
not the woman he had worshiped from
affair."
He clenched his fist suddenly. and
his fingers crushed the card that lay
within. forgotten until now-the card
that other one had given him He
smoothed out the crumpled paste.
board and read the written words.
Can you forgive girl whose love
of adventure overpowered her sense
OF propriety and kindness? When
you said You were a stranger I knew
you had not heard Of my strange like
ness to Mile. Dupont, 10 yielded to
my love Of practical joke. Eliza.
beth Farnley."
1t was written very fine and on both
uides of the small card.
Faircourt felt strangely daxed. He
turned abruptly and went out into the
driving rain. The only ray Of hope In
the whole confusion was the "au re-
voir, monsieur" and he determined
that, II possible. 1t should not be
"good-by."
His Patience Ended.