The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-06-28

-.~.;1laIIIDEIA.IF
den him to see her further on her
departure, not caring to afford
him opportunity for any less pub
lie leave-taking.
Eyes. If you wish to do So" she
answered without much interest.
and, having bowed to him. went
her way.
He watched the straight. slen-
der figure disappear down the
broad passage, the pale silk cloak
she wore outlined against the
CRIMSON carpet between two
thickets of green plants overtop-
ped by tall palms. And then he
turned reluctantly back to the sa-
Ion, to spend another half hour
there as he had promised her that
he would. 1t hurt him that she
should deem necessary such pre-
caution against his following her,
and yet he could not blame her.
He had been greatly gratified
by the reception they had met at
the hands of society, knowing
how little he himself had done to
earn any but the most frigid toll
lerance. Their first evening to-
lgether had been a great success
to all outward seeming, and be-
lyond that he need not yet aspire.
in time he would show his world
that even such prodigal as he
had been might make model
husband, and at the moment he
must BATTLE its curiosity as to the
wife for whose sweet sake he had
undertaken that radical change.
When he reached his rooms In
the Rue st. Honore, Jules Shev-
rel was absent and that annoyed
him. He resolved to rid himself
of Chevrel at the first opportuni-
ty. The fellow just then came
Isauntering in from the garage
where he had been cleaning the
car which Seager had just rede-
livered. When his first imper-
tinent remark earned him immedi-
ate dismissal he merely smiled
with supercilious indifference.
He has the swelled head with
this new, wife of hist" said that
observer of events. "Well, we
shall see what happens. / have
my 10000 francs, and-it would
be interesting to catch another
glimpse of madame's wealthy
friends. I'll take a cab to the
Blue Rabbit on the chance of run
ming across them there"
The due slept badly, and spent
the next forenoon in aimless an
Iticipation of the time when he
might telephone the hotel DIES
Reeves. That came at last, and he
rang up, asking that Madame la
IDuchesse might speak with him.
When he was told that she had
not returned since leaving the ho-
tel the night before, his heart al
most stopped beating. +
He called up the head of the
household, and had swift perquisi-
ton made into all that had hap
lpened since she had first arrived
there from the Rue des Trois
lFreres. He was told that her
maid had gone to the Elysee for
her, in his own motor, and neither
mistress nor maid had from that
moment been heard of. The
chauffeur knew nothing. He had
been off duty, by monsieur's per-
mission, on the previous evening.
Then the due called up the Palais
de Justice and asked for Tissot-
lLatour and invited him to call at
the Rue st. Honore that afternoon.
And, lastly, the white-lipped man
allied up Jules Chevrel, who
made no comment when he was
Informed that he was reinstated
n employment, and hidden to
.ome without delay.
He found monsieur in a state
bordering on distraction, and
tarted in unfeigned establishment
when he was told the reason.
Madame has left me, Jules"
aid the due in hoarse whisper
muster. "She did not return to
he Hotel des Reeves from the
Elysee. You must help me to find
Ter again."
Jules Chevrel's face darkened.
So this was why those Americans
lad been so liberal! And he who
lad acted as chauffeur, the tall,
air man who called himself Ste
lhen Quaintance had told him that
madame had been safely deliver
ed at her destination. They had
misled him, had tricked him, and
= A dazzling inspiration en-
| cred his mind. He almost chuck
ed to think how fortunes wheel
u n n of,
which that other American beast
lad thrown him into the sea at
Rockaway Beach. 1t seemed that
he might now revenge himself
condignly for that still ranking
insult. For 1t was none other
han his aggressor whom he had
observed overnight in the concert
all of the Blue Rabbit at the same
able with the chauffeur, stephen
IQuaintance. He would teach all
hose perfidious foreigners that
hey could not make fool of a.
lTrenchman and go scot-free. But
lie must be wary lest monsieur
hould learn the part he himself
had played with regard to the
car.
1T is but right to assume" he
uggested, that Madame la Ouch
,sse has not disappeared of her
,wn free will. Has monsieur no.
iced any acquaintance of hers in
her neighborhood?'
Monsieur was on his feet in an
instant, striding to and fro in the
pacious bedroom. He had indeed
noticed what the prespicacious
Jules had suggested. and that no
later than last night at the Ely
|see. Ho told the cunning valet
some part Of what he had obs