The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-11-20

over; he was going to be practical.
The proof of which was that as he
put on his hat he arranged to return
to the "Maison Perdreaux" next day
to compose reply to the lawyers let
ter; In return for which he was to re-
ceive another free dinner.
The quiet side-street was flushed
with soft spring sunshine as he
emerged from the cave-like dimness
Of the old-fashioned basement. And.
leaning against the iron railing, the
picture Of woe, was Marie.
Marston had been SO occupied with
plans for improving the condition OF a
member of the dry-goods trade that he
had almost forgotten Marie. Now It
came to him with start that, despite
himself, he was back in the region Of
poetry and romance.
He gave sharp glance at the little
heap Of ashes on the sidewalk, left
from the cremation Of John Keats:
and, on the instant, there came back
to him the scene of the morning. the
Sowing fioor-walker. the ring Of un-
friendly faces, his lonely walk up the
avenue. He shook his fist at the little
pile Of ashes.
Never again!" he muttered hoarsely
She caught him by the arm. Her
moist dark eyes. full Of tears, turned
up to his. as she poured forth a tor
rent of French.
Marston, whose ignorance of French
was abysmal, nodded wisely. Better
get that talk out of your system. little
girl" he advised.
Marie, evidently under the fmpres-
sion that he was yielding to her per
suasive powers. redoubled her elo-
quence. gesticulating furiously, aSd
pointing down the street.
If was afflicted with language like
that. I'd take the cure" Marston as
sured her
Her face lit up with joy: she caught
him by the arm and began to drag
him down the street.
But Marston stubbornly shook hi.
head. Il amt old Sleuth. and / aim,
a hero" he said firmly. and In
going chasing Job and rat Z Srench
barber"
The girl looked wistfully ND in Ms
face, but Marston, under the influence
OF the little green bird, was obdurate.
Then she opened her mouth-a pretty
little mouth, with cherry-red lips, as
Marston observed-and turning to the
"Maison Perdreaux" made q gesture Of
eating.
"Dinner!" said Marston aloud. He
held up one finger and the girl smiled
assent
Marston consulted the message Of
the little green bird. BE practical and
you Will succeed" He shook his head
sternly and held up three fingers.
Marie hesitated moment: then she
nodded her agreement She held up
three slender fingers and motioned to-
wards the "Maison Perdreaux." Mars
ton nodded once more and the strange
bargain was concluded
They went slowly down the street
towards Seventh Avenue, Marston
eminently satisfied with the luck the
little green bird had brought HIM His
satisfaction, indeed, increased until
the French barber-shop was reached;
and there, at sight Of the efring
Jules's tall figure and decidedly bony
hands, 1t very abruptly dwindled away
!.
Jules was surveying himself in
mirror. his face pale and suIky. To
Marston's hasty glance his gray-clad
figure seemed at least seven feet tall,
and his shoulders OF formidable
breadth. He turned at their entrance
and scowled at Marie.
We've come for that twenty" an
nounced Marston with an offhand air
which he had copied from the floor
walker.
Jules stood silently surveying them,
his pallid face beginning to be slowly
overspread by faint flush. Then, ut
tering some words in French, he
caught Marie sharply by the arm, with
a grip so painful that the girl began
to scream. At the moment, with the
Of matinee idol, Marston
flung himself forward.
When he came to few minutes
later he was sitting in red-plush
chair, and Marie was bathing his fore
head with bay rum. while little man
in white apron was holding towel
to his bleeding nose.
did get him?" he asked anxiously.
Diu Lie Idudly SSt tuc Cdl. re-
torted the man of the apron. Marie
yelled so he stopped pounding you and
ran"
Marston touched his nose, which
seemed to have enlarged while he
slept "A man often gets stung by a
chance blow" he said airily.
The Frenchman in the apron, who
had learned English on the avenue,
yrinned pleasantly 'As fighter you
amt no white mans hope" he said
critically; nor a white womans
either" he added with another grin.
Marston moved his head slowly side
wise and found that 1t was intact: he
ooked up and saw Marie gazing anxi-
'usly at him. He smiled. rather wanly
i is true; she smiled in return and
drop OF bay rum trickled into his right
,ye.
He sat up and began to take notice.
Maybe we can get that twenty out
II the shop here" he suggested.
The little Frenchman quickly unde-
.eiyed him. This amt Jules's place;
t never was. was goin' to sell it to
leem, but he never pay me. He
worked here, OF course, and everybody
hought the place was his. Just now
4.