The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-08-24

DOR. Asain Asr light laughte. pus'
sued me.
Pardon. monsieur" she called. stih
mockingly.
turned and looked silently ct ~
tormentor.
Mischfeyously she poiated . Jew
eled finger to rlacard on the wall.
"C-ests are forbidden to carry away
| the papers from the resding room
read.
To assume a tragic mien ct this de'
licious bit of badinage would nave
been absurd. could not help laugh
ing. But answered with some piQue:
ssHotel proprietors are forbidden to
annoy guests with offensive photo
graphs in the hotel reading rooms!
That is q new rule l shall have placed
upon the walls tomorrow
She clapped her hands delightedly.
"A beautiful and much-needed RUE
she murmured. her eyes sparkling.
Then she came toward me few steps,
and stood. a dazzling and fascinating
figure in the full light. Her eyes no
longer Knocked; they beseeched.
Forgive me. 1t was cruel to laugh.
But when / catch you. like naughty
child-ah, that is too droll!
, ION the contrary. madam, ! snouid
| thank you. 1t was my first laugh LOT
I weeks"
, Monsieur" She came q step sun
4 nearer. her dress cleaning and GIT
!. tering as she moved. She looked at
+ me pitifully.
: But her sympathy was too easily
I awakened to be convincing. unoer
Q stood perfectly that she had been 90
t, termined to speak to me when nrsS
d entered the room.
:. Madam" said cynically. 1T is you
II who are breaking a rule nova RUE
of society"
Il par example?" she demanded. hel
D. eyes darkening.
q 1T is forbidden to show sympattS
le to one who has been unfortunate.
Of She sighed her relief EVIDENT!
she has expected from me banaiitl
1 TO the effect that society does NO
sanction a woman's speaking 70
strange man.
/ "But'-she made . gesture OF con
! tempt-"the canard Of q newspaper
! Who believes that?"
I "All the world. apparently, l al
sve-ed. amused at the vigor OF ne
denial.
well, / for one. do not"
regarded her, still cynical. and ye
II was moved. Hers was the mrs
sympathy shown to me. l felt II
s stinctively that it was the cheap an
insincere sympathy of an adventures
| who offered it for her own ends. 81
would demand its price present.
And vet l was not ungrateful for M
interest. AS for the price-well,
anything quite gratuitous? Wheth'
the payment be in gold or grautue
or love or obedience-we all have o.
price. ),
And why do you not believe u
account of this newspaper"
"You are a race of warriors. "
I with such blood in ones veins 90
not play the coward. MOI" She stru
her hand together to emphasize q
conviction.
"a race of warriors?" I repeat
wonderingly.
HAS not every English gentlem
. the blood of warriors in his veins
she protested.
Fl But am an American" ! 81
II quietly.
.1mpossible!" She looked at
really bewildered now. IAN Ams
can! But the ladies that you spoke
half an hour ago?"
And can an American not speak
Enelishwomen?" l demanded colo
That she should mention them at
annoyed me.
"Then you are not"-she twistet
bracelet about her arm. then looked
swiftly-"you are not even q r
TOM"
81 am not even q friend" | s.
still more coldly. Good night, n
D am"
typ acooa NIGHT monsieur"
Oh She sank into fauteuil, as one
"a. IA too astonished to make even
pc physical effort of standing. For
u'' first time since she had spoken
was not acting. AS l walked tow
llked the uool sno
APP ing - A'
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