The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-09

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 The Ambassador introduced the young man to his hostess. and after a few words of general conversation left them, and went to another part of the room to talk to a famous English nov elist
 T have been anxious to meet you" I said John Shil quietly. when they were | alone. T am glad that was able to get an introduction to your house." Leonore gave a sharp glance at his | face. She was used to little speeches of this sort, but. as a rule, they were | uttered in very different. tone of voice; and the look in John Shirs eyes did not suggest any attempt at com pliment She smiled courteously
 T am very pleased you have come" she replied. T am always glad to | meet English people. though I am, as you know, an American, and the Eng
 fish are our rivals in Paris. The French have not yet decided which of the two nations spends most money in
 their beautiful capital" She laughed
 merrily. but there was no answering smile on John Shifs face. His thoughts seemed to be far away. and a faint flush came into Leonoreis cheeks. His inattention showed .ack of good
 breeding. and La P'tite Jackson" was
 not used to the company of men who paid no attention to her. She made 8 quiet resolve to bring this hard faced
 millionaire into the Tanks of her ad-
 mirers. and then show him his proper
 place-at the foot of the lowest rank of all.
 Shall we sit downg" she said. after short pause.
 Yes" he eplied abruptly, and then
 realizing the 'rudeness Of his reply. he smiled. T beg your pardon" he add ed, T should have -said Thank you 2fx-. lz .a.& l excuse my5 manners, Mss Jackson. I
 have had-AI still have--a good deal of
 worry and anxiety. cannot help
 thinking. of things that I scertainly ought not to think about when am | talking to you. Let usAst down. I very much wish to haS~ chat with you" Leonore smiled with geHnjne pleas. ure. Her opinion of the Ran under went a quick and remarkable, change. He had. to some extent, opened his l heart to her. a complete stranger.
 His words flattered her vanity, It 1 was evident that he had discovered l something in her nature that appealed l to him, some evidence of womaniy
 sympathy, some genuine worth in her l character No man speaks to a wo-
 man in the way he had spoken unless he has high opinion of her. unless he wants advice or help.S She moved 1 towards a large sofa, which stood in a corner of the room, and seated her self at one end of it. John Shil fol- i lowed her and took his place.. not at 1 the other end of the sofa, but rather l close to her side.
 For a few moments neither of them | spoke. Then Shil looked at the ac- i tress's face and. as though Sreassured l by what he found there. broke the l silence
 T have particularly wished to meet | you,n he said abruptly, and then he paused. as if uncertain how to pro- ceed.
 l T am flattered," replied LeonaEe 1 quietly but without a trace of either l sarcasm or coquetry in her voice. T understand" Shil contiaued. that 1 you know a very large numDer of Eng ! Ifsh people in Paris. [ have been look 1 ing for someone's lady. It is posst- | ble you might have met her. I have reason tp believe that she is. or was. l in Paris. I have advertised in all the papers. The English Ambassador him.
 self has given me all the assistance in | his power. have made inquiries ! everywhere, but have heard nothing He spoke quickly and earnestly, and 1 an eager look came into his hard face. 1 Leonore noted both the look and the almost passio-plte note in his voice :.
 Her curiosity was aroused. She did 1 not as a rule. take much interest in l the troubles of strangers. but the mans face attracted her in some way l that she could. not clearly define, and l she was pleased at the idea of being l possibly able to give him some assis- l tance.
 Paris is a large place." she replied.
 But I should think if you went te the police
 | q have done that, of course" he in-
 terrupted roughly. "Everything that
 money can do has been done. I feel
 that I must trust to chance. It Is
 just possible that l may meet some
 one who can help me. The lady's name is vane, Miss Laura Vane." Laura vane," she repeated thought | fully NO, I certainly do not know
 anyone by that name"
 1 Tt is possible that she has changed l it." he continued.
 1 By marriage?" queried Lenore, | "No" he answered flercely. Ger
 tainIy not by marriage. But she may
 have assumed some other name." Leonore noted the hungry. passion
 ate look on his face, and knew well
 enough that John Shil was In love with
 the woman he was seeking for. She | also knew that he would resent any
 reference to this obvious fact.
 T know several people of tho nama
 of Laura" she said after a pause, but
 they are all. with one exception, mar
 ried women"
 "And the exception?" he asked eag-
 erly.
 She is ffty-six years of age," she
 replied with faint smile. and she Is the manageress of a society-"
 That would not be Miss Vane," Shil
 broke in with some vehemence.
 q thought not" Leonore said dryly.
 But perhaps-if you would describe
 the lady"
 John Shil gave a halting description