Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-02

was ever made to the past to the fu-
formed by Marcadian, with whom
had taken good care not to break OFF
all relations, OF how things were in
Paris He spoke OF Eivelyne only in.
cidentally; his letters were always
about the doctors misanthropy. which
since his return from America had
been marked. But he assured me that
Evelyne was well-always incident
ally
Marcadian only went by outside APP
pearances. In his optimistic CORE
spondence be showed himself naivelv
happy with the fortune and the posi-
ton In society which his niece now
held. He spoke with sort of per-
sonal pride Of the magnificent house
which the doctor had built in the Bots
de Boulogne and on the fashionable
life that Evelyne could lead now.
What was all that wealth II she was
not happy? wondered where the
woman was who had been the cause OF
her unhappiness. had not heard
anything of her for two years.
In the month OF December was
called away to Montreal on an impor-
tant business deal. and 1t was there
that met her again.
In Montreal there Is Rue Richie
lieu Rue Saint Dennis, and. better
still there is the French language. At
the hotel where put up I heard the
Normandy tongue, the drawing &C
cent which went to my heart. was
delighted. It was like light breeze
which was borne to me from Normandy
bringing with 1t souvenirs and melan-
choly regrets.
In the evening walked through the
streets Of the town, and soon found
myself in the English quarter. was
strolling up Macdougal street. when
my attention was attracted by q
brightly Illuminated entrance. It was
la cheap music hall The brilliant
sign and pastors announced the won
ders of the French boui-boui and the
extraordinary English and American
exhibits that would be seen at the
evening performance. went IN and
took a seat in the orchestra.
The show had all the desu1tory
style Of the usual music hall. First
came some girls-pretty made-up dolls
then the usual most wonderful aero
bat the world had ever seen. Then
came the Partisan singer. Her foolish
repertoire at this distance from Paris.
seemed to me to be almost witty. Then
suddenly sat upright In my seat. Was
dreaming l rubbed my eyes, Tor
there on the stage before me stood
Jim. did not look at the perfor-
,mance. did not try to make out the
HindooS tricks. My eyes were
rivited on the little door In the center
of the stage, which was being swayed
gently backward and forward by the
draft from the outside passages.
/ waited.
The opera glasses trembled in my
fingers as lifted them quickly to my
eyes.
Lucie came through the little door.
| Was this Lucie-this vaudeville
actress In the hideous makeup who
advanced toward the footlights and
whom the audience applauded as
Though she were a fayorite starr
Yes..it was Lucie.
I recognized her only by her large
dark eyes, with their long, fringed
|lashes. What q change from the
l1ovely girl who had been the cause OF
all our sorrow!
4 Aged. thin, her beauty faded, she
was no longer the beauty whom Poly
dore had married. It was her ghost
who appeared before me In the tawdry
spangled gown. The low cut OF her
waist showed me a bare, thin neck.
The electric light threw its pitiless
rays on her face ravaged by passion
for drink. I could not mistake the
dreadful stigma. There was nothing
left that reminded me of Lucie, but
the eyes still kept their charm and
seemed to give an intense life to her
face which looked like the face or q
corpse.
lowered my glasses. Their act
went on felt that could not look at
the wretched show The Bengalese
made the people laugh, and Lucie sang
and sang we'll. Poor Lucie! ! felt q
great pity for her, and as the public
applauded the final scene I stood up
from my chair and snatched from my
buttonhole the small bunch of violeta
that e. little flower girl had pinned on
my coat at the entrance door.
threw them on the stage. The tiny
bunch Of flowers dropped at the sing
er's feet.
Lucie and Jim, with the same move
ment, turned to bow to the one who
had thrown them. was standing UP
in the third row OF the orchestra. MY
eyes were fixed on the stage. Lucte
gave me one startled look. Then. with.
out even bowling to the applause Of the
audience she turned quickly and left
the stage.
The servant Of the hotel whom
sent early the next morning to make
Inquiries about the vaudeville singer,
had some trouble in bringing Jim
back with hIl. The erstwhtle servant
was as startled as Lucie. They were
frightened to see me in Montreal. and
Wondered what wanted. At first
Jim refused to accompany the mes.
senger, but with the gift Of some
money and the assurance that I wished
him no harm he decided to come and
see me.
greeted him in cordial manner
which soon put him at his ease. ]
WAS Just taking my breakfast Of but
tered rolls and tea, offered him cup