The Alaska citizen., 1910-12-26

that the end of the season would re pay him for the losses she under stood that he was enduring; but she admitted that she was very lone some without him. She gave him quite a budget of gay gossip, con Cerning all the young people of his set. and after he had read that let ter he was quite prepared to swallow his grit and make the announcement that for a week had been on his tongue.
 Through Monsieur Noire. at rehear. sal that afternoon, he declared his intention of closing the season, and offered them each two weeks ad vance pay and their fare to New York. Ii was Signorina Caravaggio who broke the hush that ensued.
 You're a good sort. Bobby Bur nit" she said with kindly intent to lead the others. and I'll take your offer and thank you"
 It appeared that the majority of them had dreaded some such de nouement as this; some had been prepared for even less advantageous terms, and several, upon direct in quiry. announced their willingness to accept this proposal. A few de- clared their intention to hold him for the full contract. These were the ones who had made sure of his entire sOlvency, and these afterward swayed the balance of the company to a suit which won a better com promise. When Monsieur Noire, with curious smile. asked Madam Villen- auye. however. she laughed very pleasantly.
 "Oh, non,7 said she; "it does not apply zis offair. to me. do not need it, for Monsieur Burnit ees to marry wiz me zis Christmastam
 T am afraid, Madam villenauve, that We will have to quit joking about that" said Bobby coldly.
 Joking" screamed the shrill voice You can not fool wiz me, Monsieur Burnit. You mean to tell all zese people zat you are not to marry wiz me-"
 'I certainly have no intention of the kind" said Bobby impatiently, nor have I ever expressed such an intention"
 We sal see about zat," declared me HldbdIH NIlH IlBulbOuS IHulSUd- ton. We sal see how you can amuse yourself. You refuse to keep your word zat you marry me? All right zen, you do. I bring suit today for brich promise, and l have here one, two, three dozen weetness. I make what yCu call subpoena on gem all. We sail see"
 Monsieur Noire" said Bobby, more sick and sore than panic-stricken. you will please settle matters with all these people and come to me at he hotel for whatever checks you need" and. hurt beyond measure at this one more instance that there were. really, rapacicus schemers in he world, who sought loathsome ad- vantage at the expense of decent folk. Bobby Crept away, to hide him self and try to understand.
 They were here for the latter half of the week, and. since business seemed to be fairly good, Bobby had iecided to fill this engagement. can reiing all others. In the evening it seemed that Madam Villenauve had been in earnest in her absurd in- tentions, for, in his room, at eleven o'clock, he was served with papers in the breach-of-promise suit of Vil- lenauve versus Burnt, and the amount of damages claimed was the tremendous sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, an amount, cf course, only commensurate with Madam Villenauve's standing in the profession and her earning capacity as an artist. her pride and shattered feelings and the dashing to earth of her loves young dream being of corresponding value. Moreover, he learned that an injunction had been issued completely tying up his bank account. That was the parting blow Settling up with the performers upon a bloodletting basis. he most ignomin iously fled. Before he went away however, Signorina Nora McGinnis Caravaggio called him to one side and cOntided a most delicate mes sage to him.
 Gro be continued)