The Red Cloud chief., 1907-05-31

herself alone" he repeated doubtfully.
"lf YOU please" she answered.
1t was obvious that mademoiSelle
was of the class which does not fire..
qucnt night cafes alone, but after all
that was scarcely NJ. Alfred's con
Germ. She came perhaps from that
strange land Of the free, whose daugh.
ters had long ago kicked over the bar.
riers of sex with the same abandon
that Mile. Flossie would display the
soles of her feet Il few hours later in
their national dance. If she had chanc.
ed TO raise her veil nc earthly persua.
siOns on her part would have secured
for her the freedom of that little room.
for NJ. Alfred's appreciation Of like.
ness was equal to his memory for
faces. But it was not until she was
comfortably ensconced at n corner ia
BILE, from which she had a good view
of the room, that size did so. and NJ.
Alfred realized with n philosophic
shrug of his shoulders the error he had
committed.
Phyllis looked about her with some
curiosity. 1t was too early for the
habitues of the place, and most Of the
tables were empty. The scarlet coated
band were smoking cigarettes and had
not yet produced their instruments.
The conductor curled his black mus.
tache and stared hard at the beautiful
young English lady without, however,
being able to attract q single glance in
return. One or two men also tried to
convey to her by smiles and glances
the fact that her solitude need con-
tinue no longer than she chose. The
unattached ladies' put their heads to-
gether and discussed her with little
peals of laughter. To all of these
things she remained Indifferent. She
ordered n supper which she ate me-
Chemically and wine which she scarce
~ drank. All the while she was con-
sidering. Now that she was here, what
could she do? OF whom was she to
make inquiries? She scanned the faces
of the newcomers with a certain grave
curiosity which puzzled them. She nei.
Their invited nor repealed notice. She
remained entirely at her ease.
NJ. Alfred, during one of his peregri-
nations around the room, passed close
to her table. She stopped him.
81 trust that mademoiselle is well
served" he remarked, with a little bow.
"Excellently, l thank yOu," she an
Swered.
lie would have passed on, but she de-
aained him.
"You have very many visitors here"
she remarked. rs 1t the same al
ways1"
He smiled.
Tonight" he declared, 1T Is nothing.
There are many who come here every
evening. They amuse themselves here"
you have a good many strangers
also2" she asked.
But certainly" he declared. "All
the time"
II have a brother" she said, "who
was here eleven nights ago-let me see
that would be last Tuesday week.
He is tall and fair. about twenty-one
and, they say, like me. l wonder If
you remember him."
M. Alfred shook his head slowly.
"That is strange" he declared, "for,
as q rule, l forget 40 one. Last Tues
day week l remember perfectly we'll.
1t was a quiet evening. La Scala was
here, but Of the rest no one. II made
moiselle's brother was here 1t Is most
strange"
Her lip quivered for a moment. She
was disappointed.
IT am so sorry" she said. 81 hoped
that you might have been able to help
me. He left the Grand hotel on that
night with the intention of coming
here, and he never returned. l have
been very much worried ever since"
She was no great judge Of character,
but Nj. Alfred's sympathy did not I'm
press her with its sincerity.
IF mademoiselle DESIRES" he said, 81
will make inquiries among the walters
/ very much fear. however, that she
will obtain no news here"
He departed, and Phyllis watched
him talking to some of the walters ant
the leader of the orchestra. Presently
he returned.
II am very sorry" he announced
'but the brother of mademOiselle coult
not have come here. l have inquired
OF the garcons and of NJ. Jules there
who forgets no one. They answer al
the same"
THANK you very much," she answer