The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1906-10-26

tcrnoon. | 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.
In case you forget, | shall write
II ON your card" she continued with a
tone OF Coquctry. Perhaps you
would like Mile. Duponts autograph
Ihavc been told formerly that it was a
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.
ncr. driving leisurely along He said
that Nancy fell down and so he went
to the stable for another horse. The
scoundrc' to keep you waiting this
long. and all alone. too"
Either the girls slight smile, or the
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.
fnt r,N.
duction somewhat stihiy. The situa-
ton was strained.
I'VE must hurry; the folks will be
worried" the girl continued An re.
voir, Monsieur" she murmured softly.
She did not glance at his face as
she spoke. His eyes however, were
avcrted. 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 as one stun
ned. lie 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
AZ In a 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 flashily
| dressed actress and banded jokes
| with her
Il 10 N
/ So" he heard one eXClaim. Another
| shouted, Good boy, the governor must
have struck It rich in Texas"
"I'll take you up on IT," laughing
/ feminine voice replied. At this, all
| the men laughed loudly.
What is the fair Duponts' stake?"
| asked one.
| "A kiss. I'll have kiss or nothing"
cried the one who had made the bet.
All the men clappod him on the back
and urged him on.
It's n go" she cried. with a bold
glance, but III 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 suliiced to bring him back TO
earth with n thud.
The fair Dupont" OF the wager was
Mile. Dupont, the beautiful French
actress he had worshipcd 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
afar
He clencheG 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 a girl whose love
of adventure overpowercd her sense
Of propriety and kindness? Wher
you said you were stranger | knew
yon had not heard of my strange like
ness to Mile. Dupont, so | yielded tt
my Bue Of a practical joke. Eliza
beth Farnley."
1t was written very fine and on bott
sides of the small card
Faircourt felt strangely daZeG. He
turned abruptly and went out into the
driving rain. The only ray of hope II
the whole confusion was the "au re
voir, monsieur" and he determined
that, II possible. 1t should not b.
"good.by."
His Patience Ended.
Duncan, aged 2la had been naughty