The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-09-14

smsled-a snile mysterious. trade
pitiful.
Monsieur. am not jsuns ME.
am . woman cf the world. Fate has
called to NJ. must follow; I must
meet my destiny; sometimes must
walk in the dark places. The world,
your world. let it think what It viii!
Bah. 1t 10 not my concern what II
thinks Of me. Perhaps last night, this
morning, wished you to fall in love
with me. Perhaps now l am asking
you to give me little respect, a very
little, monsieur. But what does 1t
natter"
looked at this strange woman In
establishment II was curious plea
Perhaps she had wished to make me
fall in love with her! She made the
frank confession with a childish
naivete And in the same breath she
asked for my respect!
You speak In riddles" I exclaimed
petulantly. Tell me your purpose"
She looked up at me swiftly, half in
defiance.
Tell me yours"
MY purpose!" I cried. Il have
none"
A moment she scanned my face
keenly. Apparently she was satisfied
that spoke the truth. But that she
should have even a glimmer of a sus-
picion was startling.
Look, my friend, I speak no more
in riddles, but very frankly. Come to
my chateau because there you can do
me service, q great service. VOLTA,
l have told you everything"
mot quite everything" replied
quietly. you have not told me. for
instance, the nature of the service that
you ask of the first stranger you
meet"
when you are my guest shall tell
you," she promised airly.
She plunged into stormy maxurka
to drown my protestations. l watched
her. irritated and yet half yielding. as
she played with the brilliancy and
elan of a virtuoso. Then l walked to
the window.
To reach It passed pier-glass pam
eled IN the wall. A mans face was
dimly reflected there. Though / did
not look. knew that he must be
standing behind q door leading into
another apartment. He had been lis
tening, of course.
I did not betray my surprise.
stepped out on the balcony, looking
down OF the street below.
This incident banished my last
shred of reluctance. These adven-
turers spied on me; it was equally fair
that I play their game. Yes; I deter
mined to meet them with their own
weapons.
The music reached a stormy climax.
There was silence. did not go back
into the room. I waited curiously.
Would she again insist? II 20. deter.
mined to no longer refuse.
The heavy curtains at the window
were parted She stood beside me.
Again noticed the feverish light in
her eyes: her bosom rose and fell
her color came and
went.
Then you have no liking for an adj
ventHre?" she demanded In a spirit
Of desperate gayety. Even when that
adventure Is to be shared with q wom-
beautiful woman?"
mot when adventures are thrust On
me-" replied coldly. Her emotion
repealed me.
"Ah, you persist in being ungra-
,ious. Then say this adventure brings
happiness for yourself"
Il should require proof Of that"
She saw that was not to be won
over by coquetry. She became seri-
,us, almost anxious. Instinctiveiy l
'elt that she was about to play her
asst card. Had she known 1t, was al
'eady decided. But she was ignorant
II that. and risked everything to gain
Ter purpose.
"You have set yourself a task. What |
I I can help you fulfill it?"
Again you speak in riddles.
IF l said 1 were listening last
light!"
frowned on her, furious, but did
lot answer.
She felt no shame in making this
'onfession. One hand rested on her
lip, with the other she snapped finger
md thumb.
my dear monsieur. you are not at
ractive when you look like that. Even
have heard the English proverb, An
5 fair in love and In war;"
"And since this is not love. you wish
ne to infer that 1t Is war? And you
SIX the enemy deliberately into the
amp"
TT is neither love nor war. It is .
ruce- Does that satisfy you?"
Until you tell me the service am
0 do you. it must be an armed truce"