The Washington herald., 1908-09-06


When the performance was over they
went on TO supper at the Ritz Tanker
lane tried 10 get out Of Il by pleading q
sudden attack Of neuralgia. But his wife.
who would have been glad of tete-a-
tete conversation with Lord Portlington,
accepted his excuses too readily. and he
decided 70 accompany them. He was
man OF a Jealous disposition, and the
knowledge that his wife did not love him
was not calculated to aIlsy any suspicious
he might form as 70 her motive for wish
ing TO be alone with his friend.
Very trifing incidents viii alter the
course Of a whole life. even as a pebble
On the height Of the Rocky Mountains
may turn the course Of a stream either
20 the Atlantic or Pacific oceans; and the
snug little supper az the Ritz that night
was destined 20 have so stupendous an
influence on the lives Of William Tanker
lane and his wife that il assumed the i'm
portance Of a catastrophe
The room was full OF "A chattering crowd
Of fashionable men and women. and re-
sounded with the laughter Of the light
hearted 2arisians- Ard the little table
occupied by the three English people con-
Jributed its share 10 the general merri-
ment- Lord POrtlington was in his very
best form. and Laura whose mind had
been diverted from her own troubles by
the play she had just Witnessed. laughed
and tested Ike a young girl who has
tasted none Of the sorrows Of life Even
( Taakerlane. with that IN his thoughts
which might We'll have made a man
grave. had sufficient strength Of mind 20
] appear almost as gay as his companions.
To say the truth, however. he had but
[ little fear for the future Il was his last
night in Paris. Tomorrow both he and
his wife would be back in London. The
danger which threatened him would be
a thing OF the past The near approach
/ Of safety is apt TO make men restless, OF
3 else Tankerlane would not have been sup
F ping in the Ritz that night.
But when they were half way through
their meal a sudden hush came over TIE
chatterinE throng. and Tankerlane caught
the words la Petite Jackson" from the
f lips Of a fair-haired woman al the next
table. He looked up. slowly and del!b-
erafely. so as not 20 attract attention
and there. twenty feet away from rim
with her large sparkling eyes looklne
straight into his face. stood the woDnsr
that Of all IN the world he least desired
E TO meet
{ The two looked at each other for per
haps three seconds. and in that time M
{ sign OF recognition appeared on theil
faces The woman. skilled actress thai
she was. had perfect command ove- 1ei
. features she was the more surprised O
the two. for TankerIane had already seer
her in the thearer. But she showed y,
. surprise and scarcely betrayed more thar
a Passing interest in the man before her
she Just paused At the door. and thea
turning 20 her companions. a man an
.WC womCT. she made some remark q
them in French. and followed the %
zsuiious waiter 10 the only empty tabl
IN the rooul-s table. as Il 50 happened
next TO the one at which Tankerlans wa
sitting
The whole scene had been 50 momentum
that y had escaped the notice of Lo-'
+ IPortIington and Laura TankerIane. bot
OF whom recognized The actress. and wer
busily occupied IN noting how she iooke
of the stage Tanksrlans himself Ea
'gppare1tly merely glanced at her. an
had then resumed his meal
Mile. Jackson sat down Just 5ehin
lTaukerIane. but facing his wife. who wa
sitting on the opposite side Of the table
IN that hour he was thankful fo1 eve
the smallest q merciss. and the fact tha
his back was turned 20 the woman b
did not wish % SEE afforded him a mo
mentary respite from the ag0uies OF
most trying situation
Mrs. Tankerlaue and Lord Po-tlingtc
resumed their lively conversation 5u
20 be aware that The actress was regard
InE her with an unusual amount Of In
! terest. At first she attributed this 10 II
. fascination which a beautiful frCck hs
. for all wr~e-. and especially for w0me
who have to =-17v the art OF dressin
for stage pu-pus-- But after a time sh
began 10 realize tha- the interest she -
cited was due less % her clothes tha
he- personality The one was a compl
Laura Tankerla2s began 10 grow uncou
Portable under the frequent g!ances whic
. the actress cast al her. and she was gla
, when her husband suggested that II va
= time 10 90 home
Lord PcrtlinEton helped her on with ht
long sable opera cloak and the waite
came forward with Tankerlane's overcos
! and hat For one brief moment Tanke
, lanes face vas turned toward Nile. Jacl
: son. and he saw 10 his horror that q
, .osteutatious smile OF recognition Ia
, flashed across her face She rose TO h
p feet. came across 10 him. and held o,
her hand
Wal this IS a treat she said. with
rather forced American accent Ar
: how did you get hsre2 Why, II must
! three years since We met in Chicago"
Really. madsmoiseIle" said Tanke
Z lane. with a bow 7 think-Tm ARA
y you are mistaken. You are Nile. Jscl
r son. are you not2
- Yes now" she replied. with a laugl
: but when I met you I was called NJ
70 BonsaI. and that's my name still,
8 there's any good n being married al
r getting ones husbands name"
2 Mrs B0nsaI-' cried Tankerlane. vii
Z weIl-simulated surprise Why. OF cours
% What a duher I an, Do you know,
- never recognized you And I've bee
+ watching the piece tonight You We,
2 splendid-yes. splendid, Laura. let n
introduce Mrs BoEsaI TO you I saw
- good deal OF her and her husband son
years ago in America Mrs. Bonsal
r Mrs Tankerlane. Mrs BOnsal-Lol
s Portlington. Wei I am pleased B
? you have altered. haven't your I new
b recognized you. Well, this is a pleasure
= 1t is. indeed said Lord Portlingto
! And tomorrow morning Mrs Bons
/. Viu awake Ike Lord Byron and III
: herself famous.
: I am pleased TO meet you" said La
I "a with smile. Any old friend OF n
n husbands IS a friend OF mine"
g Your husbandZ" said Mrs Bonsal. vi
an inquiring glance from one to the othe