, 1906-11-06
An UnbiIIGd Pay.

hSi VI the lobby and sloou
her foot impatiently on the tiled moor
1t was a fearful night outside Notn,
ing but the unparalleled success u
Mile. Dupont would have Insured sueh
a large house. 1t was the last per
formance. SO, in spite of the war OIL
the elements" Mile. was encouraseu
by the largest audience of the "eeh'
The lobby was rapidly emptylng'
There was a grand rush for carriages
and cars. Her escort had hurried OUT
into the rain, but the carriage was no.
where to be found. He rushed back
and telephoned. The carriage mad
started, they said. Every vehicle was
in use, had been the invariable answer
to his call at the livery stables. mere
seemed nothing to do but wait. Ana
yet, August Parker did not know no"
to wait gracefully.
81 will go find one myself" he said
to her. You wait here; l won't be
long and the carriage will probably
arrive in the meantime"
She soon became conscious OF the
casual glances thrown in her direction.
She drew her opera cloak closer about
her light dress and drew farther back
into the shadow.
One man, especially. she noticed
watching her. His persistent scrutiny
was annoying. And yet there was
nothing familiar or offensive in his
glance. Suddenly he began to move,
but not toward the door, she observed.
No-yes-he was coming in her direc-
ton. She was too surprised to move.
She Just stood and waited to e what
would happen next.
May I, dare 1, speak to Nile. Du-
pont?" The voice was cultured and
low. 81 have tried so hard to get an
introduction. | am a stranger in the
city and so my efforts have proved in
vain. 1 have attended every perform
ance since the first. Perhaps Mile.
has seen my card before" he said,
with a slight smile, as he handed her
the small piece of ~pasteboard.
She was thinking how handsome his
eyes and teeth were, Is she let her
eyes rest on the card. John Fair
court" meant nothing to her, but she
tried to smile Understandings. He
seemed to realize that she did not
know him.
How stupid in me-" he broke forth,
suddenly. 81 forgot how many admir-,
ers Mile. has and how many flowers
she receives. l was presumptuous to
expect her to remember me among
so many"
At the word flowers" her face
frightened.
ooh, pardon, Monsieur, "she cried,
in her soft voice, with its fascinating
French accent, how could l be so
negligent? The flowers were too beau
tiful. thank monsieur very, very
much. l never wear my flowers" she
continued, with a smile, as she saw
Il cannot YEA them all, and l fear
to offend my many friends"
81 understand perfectly" he said.
But why does Mile. stand here?" he
asked, abruptly. 81 fear she may be
cold"
She shrugged her pretty shoulders
deprecatingly and answered with q
faint smile.
My carriage failed to come and
my friend, Monsieur Parker, has gone
to get one for me. He is so impa-
tent" she replied, with a low laugh.
"He is all rush and hustle and hurry,
all the time. 1t always make me ex.
cited to think about his funny ways
she said.
She seemed wholly unconscious OF
John ~Faircourt's admiring gaze as she
ratified on. AS for him, he hardly
heard what she was saying. He was
only conscious of the soft, musical
voice, the masses of waving red, gold
hair, the snowy skin and red lips, half
concealing the small white teeth be.
hind them.
Suddenly she turned toward the
door, a quick blush spreading over her
cheek.
81 don't understand it," she said,
impatiently. Thomas should be here.
He treated me so before. They
will be closing up the theater soon"
Not while Mile. is here, surely
answered F%aircourt, with attempted
gallantry.
THE management does not arrange
to keep the theater open to suit Miles
convenience" she said, with a slight
sheer. Mile. is useful to the theater
only so long as she is before the foot
lights"
Faircourt fancied he detected a note
of bitterness in her voice. There was
a strange look on her face he could
not interpret. He had an inexplicable
feeling that she wished to get away
from him.
May l call on Mile. before she
leaves" he ventured, trying to SUD-
press the eagerness he felt in his
heart.
81 go tomorrow night" she replied,
but 1 shall be at home tomorrow af.
ternoon. l am stopping at the Con
%tinental,' you know"
He had heard hat she was staying
at the Gordon House but Dame Ru.
NOR is uncertain authority.
In cas you forget, l 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 it was a
much valued possession. Your pencil,
please"
August Parker rushed in at that
moment, dripping with rain, his hand