Charlevoix county herald., 1908-10-10
Copyright, by shOrtstory Pub. Co..

morning paper and lay out at length
on the silk-draped lounge. His hands
were clasped back of his head. He
was staring at the ceiling with look
OF unutterable boredom.
The new valet moved chair slight
ly and cleared his throat discreetly.
He was but new valet, and doubtless
he felt that to look at that face just
now was like listening at a keyhole.
4Son't knock the furniture about, II
yot" please, Edouard," suggested Fan
ming, not turning his eyes from the
ceiling. Upon my honor, l believe my
nerves are going"
Has monsieur any orders?" asked
the new valet softly. 1t was the soft
ness of his tones that had led Fan
ming to engage hip. His former valet
had possessed a. hoarse croak that
made excellent service of none effect.
OF what value was money If one could
not buy pleasing voice as we'll as
ready hand?
"Oh, no orders" said Tanning with
the same unchanging stare. Il am
tired, Internationally tired. II knew
what to do, give you my word I'd
DO it,
Edouard stood respectfully near,
looking down.
why, for instance, does not mon
sieur travel?" he asked with quiet sug-
gestion.
A tired smile curled one corner Of
Paintings mouth.
Because. for instance, my good
Edouard," he replied, Il have travelled
until am more tired of that than any
thing else. Talk of travel to a man
that knows Port Said by heart, and
could find his way blindfolded about
Teheran! Try something else, man."
Edouard laid his hand on chair
back.
But while monsieur has travelled,
he has, perchance, never seen Aux
ons," he suggested again.
"Auxons? what is that?" asked Fan
ming, turning his eyes for a moment
toward the face of the quiet Edouard.
ut is but little town, monsieur
little town in the mountains of my
country" Edouard FASTENED to assure
him; "but it is very old, and is not
without interest"
Then for the first time Tanning
laughed
Now, why should you imagine" he
Nfd, that l have any desire to see
Very little old garlic-smelling French
town on the map-or not on it? Give
me my coat, Edouard-and don't be
an idiot"
Receiving his coat, and being duly
brushed, he went down to his club,
from whose almost empty windows he
stared vacantly at the street outside
and was consumed with WEAKNESS. No
one was there whom he cared to meet,
and he avoided the smiling old club
Nestor with a haste that was almost
rudeness. He was on the point of
leaving when a certain Mr.. Clermont
strolled in and met him with evident
pleasure. Mr.. Clermont had brought
European letters of introduction to the
club three days ago.
well met" cried Mr.. Clermont. Il
bye, as ii may be that l shall leave
New York for my own land tomorrow.
And when shall I see you in Paris?"
II do not think of going soon," said
Tanning, with weary smile that was
scarcely at the to'nble to smile at ALL
"You see, have visited Paris so many
times"
"Ah, but have you seen Auxons?''
asked Mr. Clermont with enthusiasm
= Depend upon it, my friend. it is worth
the visit to France merely to see
Auxons."
A fash Of interest lit Fannings
eyes. Twice within an hour, this place
of which he had never heard before
had been mentioned by men of very
different stations in life. He would
have asked further, but at that mo-
ment Mr.. Clement was called away
and he did not see him again.
The unutterable dizziness of the club
drove him out, and in his wanderings
he passed a public library, hesitated
and turned back. A dark young man
who seemed to be a stranger went w
the marble steps after him. Tanning
chose a book and sat down. Some
hines book might be found that was
fairly endurable.
A while later he was aroused by @
1voice at his side.
Pardon, monsieur" the dark young
man was saying in French, but will
you assist me in finding If there is 9
paper here, published in the little
town Of Auxons?"
For moment Tanning was dumb
with amazement. Then he courteously
arose and began the search. But there
was no such paper, as he presently
communicated TO the stranger.
"Ah," said the young man with 6
look of disappointment; doubles:
that is because Auxons is not one Of