The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1906-10-26

ternoon. ! am stopping at the 'oh'
tinental. YOU know
lie had heard that she was staying
at the Gordon House but Dame nh
NOR is uncertain authority
an case you forget, | shall write
II on your card" she continued with
tome Of coquetry, Perhaps you
would like Mile DupOnt's autograph.
Ihaye been told formerly that 1t was
much valued possession. Your pencil
please.
August Parker rushed in at that
moment. dripping with rain, his mana
come evening clothes ruined ana MS
tomner in not much better condition.
"Thomas has at last arrived, MISS
/ Farn,ey." he burst forth, utterly isnor-
ing Faircourts presence. After NUM-
ing ALI over town for him, or some
other carriage, | met him at the cor,
nor driving leisurely along. lie SAID
that Nancy fell down and so ne went
70 the stable for another horse. Inc
scoundreI, to keep you waiting 'Ai'
long. and all alone, too.
Either the girls slight smile, or the
calm ensuing after his storm Oh "ornS'
caused Parker to notice Faircourt TOT
|, the first time. A slight frown gathereu
between his brows. But the girl was
, not to be daunted now.
"Nr. Faircourt, allow me TO present
Mr. Parker" she said quietly
. Both men acknowledged the intro
duction somewhat stitiiy. The siIud'
ton was strained.
=. We must hurry; the folks VIII po
a worried the girl continued Au
- vojr Monsieur" she murmured soi'iy'
She did not glance at his face as
-. she spoke. His eyes, however, were
a averted. He seemed not to near inc
m whispered farewell. But the gifl uiA
70 not soon forget the tall, erect nsule'
IN standing motionless in the Drlsntiy
N. lighted lobby. She felt her au ie
10 voir' slightly inadequate.
"a John Faircourt stood as one SUN
or ned. He heard the door close ailef
them, he heard the creaking OF the ice
NO under their feet and the horses snip
'or ming as the carriage started, but all
Iir- as in a dream.
he It was only as gay group caino
He laughing and talking into the OpDy
,ot that he fully realized the situatioh
Five or six men surrounded nasniiy
A. dressed actress and banded JOKES
mir. with her. 8. :.
-. ~ wager a diamond sunburst u II
- so" he heard one exclaim. Anotne'
mo shouted, Good boy, the governor Illus
have struck it rich in Texas
"JIl take you up on it," laughin'
"'e feminine voice replied. At this al
the men laughed loudly.
leu' what is the fair Duponts' stake!
e asked one.
so "A kiss. III have kiss or nothing,
eau cried the one who had made the De
'erS All the men clapped him on the oac
9ne and urged him on.
90" IT'S a go" she cried. with Dol
COS glance. but I'll win she added, VIII
le"i a laugh in which all the men ]oine
These were the parting words Uni
sald. Faircourt heard as the door close
he They sufficed to bring him bacH
NC earth with thud.
The fair Dupont" of the wager W
luerS Mile. Dupont, the beautiful fren
III Actress he had worshiped from ali
He recognized the red gold hair, l
and ,Iyt tho r1rmlneu III
gone and graceful form. The voice,
lmpa- with its slight accent called up
augh. Camille" of the play.
lurrv' But all were robbed of the gan
le eX- 80 hoa Iont them all stood
Ways boldly in their artificiality she
mot the woman he had worshiped 1T
afar.
As sue He clenched his fist suddenly
hardly ii ar,,sbod the card that
{ "aI within, forgotten until noW-the c
,u'iOa, that other one had given hlm'
l. soiu smoothed out the crumpled pa
., n@'i hoard and read the written WORDS
I'll ~ Can YOU forgive girl whose
~, .,o of adventure overpOwered her y
49, of propriety and KINDNESS! "
yer hel Won said you were a stranger l K
-, you had not heard of my strange
saiu' ness to Mile Dupont, so ylelde
re here. u.s. ,ouo of nractical Joke
lhey beth Farnley."
SOUL It was written very fine and on
surely" 49, g. tho email card
empted gu -. so,t strangely dazed.
turned abruptly and went out INT
80. ,o;,, The only ray of no
It Miles oorfuoion was the "a
a shgnt yoir, monsieur" and he deterI
thea'et that. If possible, it should III
'No '0' "goodby.'
d note His 'atience I"ue
,ore was D,noon aged 2H, had been MAJ