The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-11-01
was evident rnat the nre naa spreaa no
farther. l opened the window and the

was evident rnat the nre naa spreaa no
farther. l opened the window and the
smoke was whirled away.
"-Ah, bon die" cried Mrs. Tremaine
in a queerly broken but very charming
mixture of French and English. What
a chance! What good fortune that you
We're in your room, m'sieur.'
She had closed the window with a
nervous shiver at the cold and then
stepped back into the full light.
fairly gasped as I looked at her.
Charming she had been gowned ac-
cording to the New York fashion; now
she was radiant in Il costume whose
gorgeousness seemed just the setting
her beauty needed At the moment it
completely da:.:!c1 me, but | was able
afterward in calmer mood, to
analy3e 1.-THE crimson petticoat, the
embroidered chemise with it's fold upon
fold of lace, showing through the slken
shoulder scarf; the necklace OF gold
beads and bracelets, studs, brooches
what not. The sight of Higgins stand
ing staring at this vision With open
mouth brought me to my senses.
Il ann very happy to have been there,
madame said, and started toward
the door.
But YOU will not go" she protested.
''M'sieur Tremaine will be here in Il
moment. He will desire to thank you"
The words We're accompanied by a
smile there was no resisting. l falter-
ed, stopped.
Higgins was still staring from the
hall. Mrs. Tremaine stepped forward
and calmly shut the door in his face.
In that instant quick shiver ran
+ through me, as though l had been
suddenly imprisoned With Wild beast
"a shiver that had in it something
fearfully delightful. And let me add
here that the emotion which Cecily-
for so l came to know her-raised in
me was not in the least admiration in
the ordinary sense of the term, but
rather an overpowering fascination,
such as one sometimes feels in watch
ing a magnificent tigress pacing back
and forth in her cage Such, believe,
was the feeling she inspired in most
men. even in Tremaine himself.
She smiled at me again as she swept
past me to couch in one corner and
sank upon it,
'Sit, li'sieur,' she said, and motion
ed me to chair close at hand. Il was
very lonesome. l was weary of talk
ing to my own body
l cannot reproduce the soft dialect
she spoke. Any effort to do so makes
it appear grotesque, so | shall not Try.
AT first it puzzled me occasionally, but
| soon came to understand her per-
fectly.
80 was L." l said, smiling at the
| quaint expression. Il was growing
very sick of my own body Have you
been in New York long?"
Less than a month, msieur; and l
do not like it. 1t is too cold too gray"
"Ah, You have come in a bad time, .
| said, wondering at her almost child
ish expression of misery. wait until
June. Then you will seev'
June! All, we shall not remain so
long-I at least! have promised to
stay one month longer, but more than
| that-impossible!'
She reached out and took up ciga-
rette froma pile which lay on a taboret
beside the couch
ut was thus the curtains caught
she laughed. and, after Whit or two,
flung the still blazing taper over her
shoulder .Pouf! And they We're all
| in flame. A moment before | was
longing for excitement, any excite
Lent whatever, but that sudden burst
| of fire frightened me. rushed out.
cried for help, and she finished, with
charming little gesture, spoiled your
smoke. Try one of these
There was no resisting her. 1t was
like playing with fire took ciga-
rette and lighted it.
AT Fond-Corre there was much to
| do she continued. with little sigh
Here there is nothing but to smoke.
| smoke!'
"Fond-Corre" l queried.
Just beyond ST. Pierre" sic ex-
| planned, closing her eyes With delight
nj Tue llleIuOFY. l0ere was our DOr!tn
! can see 1t again in its grove of cocoa
trees running down to the gray sand,
with the waves tapping gently over it.
Tambou. How l sigh for it!' and she
| stretched her arms above her head With
a gesture of infinite longing.
a key ratified in the lock. the door
| opened and man came in. 1t was
| quite in keeping with the dream-the
enraged husband With naked scimiter
Even here in New York it was hardly
the proper thing to be discovered thus.
though not till that instant had l
| thought of It,
"-Nh. now" said to myself, "stilet.
tos ANA pistols! You're in Il ticlllish
| place. my friend"
But before l could rise. Ccciiy had
| sprung from the couch and thrown her
arms about his neck.
"Oh, comment OH We. doudouN?' she
asked in Il voice like-well. have never
heard anything TO compare With it,
| Tout douce. che-et ou:' lie an