The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1909-01-22
Arletta
In Paris.
BY r. a. COLLINS.
Copyrighted. 1909, by Associate,
Literary Press,

near PaflS, with windows overlooking
the garden. never slept, although is
mistress, Mrs Marion Bennings. did
regularly every evening that her son
and herself spent alone.
She was nodding now over a ribbon
decorated basket containing some silk.
en- hose she had been mending. The
ormolu clock struck II. and Otto. Iura,s
ing around, pushed book off to I'll
door. The noise awoke Mrs. Bennings.
who sat up with start and remarked
Il am OF to bed. What stupid
evening! haven't heard you speak
fGk gn hour"
"You couldn't" said Otto. But as
she stared at him Indignantly he made
haste to add, Because haven't spo.
ken for an hour"
Mrs. Bennlngs got up slowly, and a
letter fell from her lap. Otto hasten
cd to pick II up. III
$ you'd better read it, said his
mother. MY cousin, Harry Jones,
who is tremendously rich, writes thai
he is bringing his Inotherless daughter
to Paris. Her name Is Arletta, and |
have heard she is pretty and accom-.
plished. We must be very nice to
them, particularly to the daughter.
She Is an only child"
'Then congratulate her I'm an
only child. too" remarked Otto.
"Her husband win be very fortu-
nate. Don't you agree with meT'
'T1l withhold judgment till see the
young lady" said her son.
Left alone, Otto resumed the writing
Of his letter. which he was to address
to certain Celeste. and reflected that
probably his mother was already plan
ming to marry him 10 Arietta, the
daughter Of the wealthy Mr.. Jones.
But he made bet with himself that
II wouldn't come of.
Suddenly n woman's voice to the ne
compartment of guitar came through
the open window. II was soft, rich.
yet penetrating.
ala Mute ecoute ct Sc pencil sur
loreille," etc.
Hello" said Otto. "a strolllns
singer. and good voice too" He
went to the window and called out.
"Qui viveT
"Oh. dear" answered n woman's
voice outside. they told me you spoke
English
$50 do. after a fashion" said Otto.
leaning out Of the window. "Do your
why, OF course do" said the
voice. 'I'm English: at least I'm Amer.
lean"
'The deuce you are! what are you
doing in our gardenT'
II wish you would let me come in
and tell you. will your
"COme In at once Here, give me
your hand. It's only step"
A pretty girl dressed In n Spanish
costume. as IL for fancy ball. fol.
lowed the hand. Her costume was
rich and looked fresh, but she sank
into chair by the window. exclaiin.
ing:
"oh, how good 1t seems TO he able To-
sit down agnin in chairv'
Have you walked all the way from
ParisT" asked Otto.
"From Paris and ever so much far.
ther. Ny shoes are worn TO shreds
Seef"
She stretched out a tiny foot. Slip.
per and silken hose were in shreds.
"Pve been singing for two days"
said she. "and, see, that is all took
in"-showlng him few sous-"and
I'm so hungry"
Hungry" cried Otto. dragging for.
ward a little table with some cakes
and wine. The girl looked ut Il long.
ingly, remarking:
Cake. That's what everybody offers
me, and I'm dying for a--ham sand
wich."
"Pll forage for something more sub.
stantlal," cried Otto, starting toward
the door.
mot TIL explain. Walt. please. Sc
said the girl. Are you an Americana
"You bet l am"
THANK Godw she said. Then you'll.
believe me. I'm not beggar. I'm IN
hard luck. These are all the clothes.
this is all the money, have, I'm n
stranger In Paris. Day before yester.
day | arrived here and went TO the
Grand hotel to wait for my father
! had maid, half dozen trunks
and letter Of credit. On the way
from the Care du Nord my maid ran
away with the trunks and my letter
At the hotel they wouldn't believe me
when l told them who was. | hadn't
q friend in Paris except some relatives
OF my father, whose address is In my
vanished trunks. This masquerade
suit hung In the closet OF the hotel.
borrowed II and rented a guitar END
started out to see IL could supper;
myself. had read OF students In dis
tress doing such things. ! thought It
would be lark, but II has been aw
full. And kept thinking I'D come up
with some nice Americans. was do
ing my very best, you see"
Otto agreed with her. He couldn't
help It. she was so pretty. When he
told her this she permitted him to 80
for sandwich. In minute he came
back with some cold chicken and ut.
tie biscuits. small cheese and pot
Of jelly.
"Will these things DOR he queried
doubtfully.
"Do? Dor" she cried, with delight.
watch mev'
She perched before the tray and be.
gan TO cat ravenously. "Thls chicken
is divine" she exclaimed. what a
nlce fellow you are! But can't cat
much. I'm too worried"
'fWorriedf" said Otto. what