The Detroit times., 1908-06-03
BY JACQUES VINCENT.

Tin BEGAN at an afternoon party
where, as usual, people were
feeling more or less bored and
were getting on each others
nerves.
The rooms were too hot TO begin
with. and every one would congregate
In the corner where the Ice cream was
served. SO that the music room was
quite deserted and the artists were
annoyed 10 find themselves singing &c
half a dozen people only.
I'm SO sorry for our hostess" said
Antoinette Bereny 10 the man who
had Just been introduced TO her I'm
afraid we're not treating her right
Don't you think we had better go and
listen TO song"
will you do me a favor afterwards
II would rather not" he answered,
but | am at your command. only
will you do me favor afterwards
She looked surprised.
Certainly. II 1t IS IN my power
What is it,"
She was looking very pretty and
cool In q green and white dress OF
crepe de chene. and there WAS an at
mosphere of pleasant repose about
Miss Bereny that people appreciated
without Analysing 1t.
Ii had never occurred TO her &c
marry anyone, though she had had
plenty OF chances. She was we'll on
she had no near relations. and she
had reached the age OF SO while still
possessing the charm OF others and
the interest In life which were hers
at %. She was neither bachelor
girl nor an old maid, but simply al
unmarried woman who was eminently
manageable.
Il am the victim, or, rather. sup
pose ] should say the hero. OF a TO
nance" said the man, land | have an
intense yearning 10 tell some one
about IT, Will you let me confide In
your"
Antoinette laughed. and for the first
time looked TO see what manner OF
man this was.
A dark, clean.shaven face. keen and
strong, such as you find in lawyers and
naval officers; tall. well-built figure
rather stern voice and manner re-
deemed at times as at this moment by
a twinkle In the handsome eyes, and
the ghost OF a smile at the corners OF
the lips.
First, you must let me know your
name" she said, III you are going to
tell me the story OF your life. | didn't
catch 1t when we were introduced"
Castor Loaurent." he replied, and
| have just met my fate
sfpaallvor AntnpipffQ's amused
glance swept over the crowd around
them. and rested on girl with
straight, clean-cut profile and dark
hair, to whom she remembered Loaur-
ent had been talking just before they
met.
II see you are trying to guess who
is the dea ex machina," he said, but
want to begin from the beginning.
Won't you let me off the song, Miss
Bereny, and come over to the balcony
with me-"
1T would be rather mean" An
toinette said, rather weakly, I'VE were
asked to go to the music room"
Il know" he said, but let us be
selfish just for once and choose the
balcony"
toinette asked when they were seated
ir a shady corner.
Not at all by temperament" he
assured her, but | have become so
lately. saw lady at concert and
felt so attracted by her that paid no
further attention to the music. Since
then fate has willed that we should
often be quite close to each other. In
the street, In a room at an entertain
ment. and the attraction has grown
with each meeting. so that when
have received an invitation lately.
have said To myself, I wonder II She
will be there?' She with capital let
ter. But we have now been intro
duced when a favorable opportunity
occurred. and the thing is done"
And you feel that your fate Is
sealed?"
Antoinette began to be interested,
for, though his tone was easy and UNI
concerned, there was something
could not tell what-which seemed To
show he was in earnest.
For better or for worse-yes." he
said IL am such she Is my alter ego,
the one woman in the world for me !:
but she may not have the same feel
ing. In fact. know for certain that
she has not feeling OF any sort about
me, and no consciousness OF ever hav-
ing met me before. So my only hope
Is TO see her constantly. and that Is
not so easy as II sounds. For. with
the exception OF our hostess. we have
no mutual friends. that am aware Of
at whose house we might meet"
oh. yes" Antoinette said hastily
Il know Mile. Marry quite well. She
is coming to lunch with me next
week"
"Is she?" he said eagerly. And you
will ask me, too? But that Is too
good OF you"
Not at all. shall be very pleased.
Romance deserves encouragement Ia
these prosaic days. She is a charming
girl Elsie Marry. | have known her
quite a long time. We might go to
the salon afterwards. Viscount Pierre
de Ronceval is coming, SO that shall
be partie carree.'
She rose To go, and extended her
hand with smile or encouragement
to him.
Goodbye" she said. II have an
early dinner engagement. and ! must
go now. Don't forget, lunch at 2
II