The Washington herald., 1908-03-30
CHAPTER XXXIV-Continued.

ready laughing together as they crossed
the Rue de Rivoli.
Il knew you were in Paris. and came
here specially to meet you. Mr.. Rolfe,
she said at last. I'm afraid you must
think me very dreadful TO purposely COM
pei you 10 apologize and speak TO me-"
Not at all Only-well l think you
know you have rather unfair advan-
tage of ME. You ought TO give me your
name.' he urged.
4 have my own reason for not doing
So she laughed. 1T is sufficient for you
10 know that I am your friend
and a very charming little friend.
too" he laughed. i only wish all my
friends were so dainty as yourself"
''Ah. so you are a flatterer. eh?"' she
said, reproving him with smile.
Not iattery-but the truth he de-
clared, filed with curiosity as to whom
she might be-, Why. he wondered. had
she sought him2 Perhaps II he described
her at the Office they had Just left she
might be known there.
Though out Of the season. there was
still life and movement IN the Rue de
RivOli. as there always is between the
Magasins du Louvre and the Rue Cas-
tiglione The tweeds and blouses of the
Cooks tourists were in evidence as usual.
and the little midinette tripped gayly
through the thrOng
AT last they entered the gate Of the
public gardens. which in the afternoons
are given over 10 nurses in white caps
and children with air balls, and, walking
some distance still chatting. presently
found seat in full view Of the quail with
its traffic and the sluggish Seine beyond.
Then. as he seated himself beside her.
she with her sunshade held behind her
head. threw herself back slightly and
laughed saucily in his face. displaying
her red lips and even, pearly teeth.
Isn't this rather amusing meeting?''
she asked. with tantalizing air. L know
you are dying TO know who l am. Just
think Have you never seen me before"
Charlie was puzzled-sorely puzzled. He
tried 10 think. but 10 his knowledge he
had never previously set eyes upon the
dark-haired little witch before in all his
life.
"I-well. really don't recollect. You've
asked me a riddle and I've given ii up"
But think. Have you never seen me
before?"
In London?''
NO; somewhere elsa long way from
here"
He shook his head. She was a complete
enigma. this girl not yet out Of her teens.
Il must apologize 10 you, but / do not
recollect.' he said. If you refuse to tell
me who you are. you can surely give me
your Christian name"
"Why?"
We'll, because
Because OF your natural curiosity"
she declared. Men are always curious.
They always want 10 get at hard facts.
Half the romance Of life is taken away
by their desire to go straight to the truth
OF things Women are fond Of a little
imagination"
Was she merely carrying on q mild fir
tation with him because Of sheer love Of
romance? He had heard OF girls of her
age, overfed upon romantic novels and
filled with day-dreams starting out upon
adventures similarly perilous. He looked
into her eyes and saw that they danced
with tantaIiZing merriment. She was
making fun Of him!
My curiosity is certainly natural" he
said. little severely. piqued by her su-
periority- You have told me that you
wish TO speak 10 me in confidence. How
can I repose equal confidence in you if
you refuse me your name?"
L do not ask you TO repose confidence
in me. Mr. ROlfe." was her quick re-
Spouse, opening her eyes widely. II have
brought you here &c tell you something
something which 1 know viii greatly in
terest you. more So indeed. than the Ques-
ton of whom and what I am
Then tell me your Christian name, so
that ! may address you by that"
For a moment she did not reply Her
gaze was fixed straight before her. The
wind stirred the dusty leaves above them,
causing them 70 sigh slightly. while be-
fore them along the quai a big cream-col-
ored automobile sped swiftly, trumpeting
loudly.
At last she turned to him. and with a
smile upon her fresh, dimpled cheeks, she
said:
MY name is rather unusual one-Lo-
rena"
'Lorenay" he echoed. What a very
pretty name. Almost as charming as its
owner"
She moved with gesture Of mock i'm
patience. declaring:
you are really too bad. Mr. Rolfe.
Why do you say these things?"
Il only speak the truth. I feel nattered
that you should deign to take notice Of
such an unlmportant person as myself"
''Unimportant,' she cried again. open
ing her eyes and making a quick gesture
which showed foreign residence. us Mr.
>Statham's secretary an unimportant
MANI"
Certainly"
But he is Of Importance TO one person
at least
ITO whom?"
For a moment she did not answer Then
she turned her dark eyes full upon his
and replied:
ITO the woman who loves him.
Charlie started perceptlbly. What could
the girl mean? Did she mean that she
horee1F ar4ofrad oFfooffo, H.,
was she merely limiting at what she be-
lieved might possibly be the case-that he
was beloved?
He was more than ever dumfounded by
her attitude. There was something very
mysterious about her - a mystery in
creased by her own sweet, piquant. and
unconventional manner. In his whole ca
reer he had never met with a sfrnilar adj
venture At one moment he doubted her
Eenuineness. but at the next he reflected
how. at the first moment Of their meet
ing, she had been extremely anxious TO
speak with him alone. Her attitude was
Of one who had some confidential infor-
nation to impart-something no doubt IN
the interests of the world-renowned firm
OF Statham Brothers.
Other secret agents Of Sam Statham
whom he had seen on their visits to Park
lane had been mostly men and women adj
vanced in age. for the most part wearing
an outward aspect Of severe respectable
ity. Some were. however, the reverse
One was a well-known dancer at the
music halls Of Paris and Vienna, whose
pretty face looked out from postcards in
almost every shop on the continent.
But the question was, Who could be this
dainty girl who called herself Lorena?
What do you mean by the woman who
WHERE TO DINE.