The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-01-21

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chair.
Tomorrow at what hour7'' she said.
Nine. Roquet thought for a moment,
then said:
" "Tssv sa Ms,, time tomorrow
The woman walked toward the door,
then suddenly turned round
And how do know there will not be
You should not have come II you hau
no confidence In me. But see, i Will re-
assure you; II you don't wish to come
send sen Jose y, Johannes. I will give him
Very WE'LL" said the stranger. II will
AS soon as she had gone Mathilde
Roqpet thought deeply.
Twenty-Five Thousand frsncs! Why;
This deal would be a godsend to her.
1t meant that she could begin her life
Of luxury again. She had connections
with some sharpers In England, and
with them. she knew that these obiis-
ing persons would willingly give her
10000 frsncs for the stones. But she
would have to pay her mysterious yis-
have the stones until she had the
louis!
She must get the money from some
where. After having passed in review
the circle Of her acquaintance, she re-
membered an old music hall friend who
was now on the top rung OF the ladder
OF success. She would help her.
She looked at the imitation marble
o'clock. She dined at Z. II she took the
Subway she would have time to call
upon her friend, who lived in the Rue
Francois, She pinned fur. toaue on
her braids of black hair and threw q
cloak over her shoulders.
In few minutes she arrived at the
Alma, where she got out. She walked
quickly to her friends house, and ar
rived just at the moment when she was
returning from the Bots in superb au-
"what good wind blows you hereT'
~ want to speak upon some business -
Tres bien. Money affairs7 II so. I
can tell you. you have chosen badly, ma
belle. ] have just borrowed ten louis
from my chaffeur-haven't I, Charlie?''
The chauffeur took off his cap respect
fully and said:
my modest purse il at the disposal
Of Madame Comtesse.''
Mathilde looked astonished.
oh! Yes, that's right" said the blond
Odette. You didn't known Everybody
said to me: You must be a countess:
ah!'
When the countess was in her boudolr
her smart costume replaced by q negli-
gee Of nimy lace, she said: ~ !.
it?'
IT want 1000 francs at once. 1t is for
something that will bring me in a large
sum: I'll give it to you back in eight
days on the faith of an honest woman. y
ma petite, told you just now that !
hadn't louis Of my own, but ia like
You are so sweet"
there is q necklace which Is worth
5000 francs. You can pawn It and get
600 on Il; keep two for yourself and
sat she ,e0 ssia Sou know to &c.
anything from the three balls I must
have papers. and I haven't any,"
You can take mine and pawn It In
fiishty manner was a very practical
young person. took some papers from
a little Louis XVI desk. They were in
the name Of Marie Trognard, her cor
thorizing her friend to pawn the neck
lace, and mentioned she sum she re-
"And now" she said. 80 that you
won't have any trouble, Charley can
the cafe on the corner of Avenue
rAlma, and he can get some coal man:
these two men, who have license. will
go with you to uncle's and reply for
me. It will cost me louis for each of
them"
Mathilda was delighted; the formali-
ties Of pawning had worried her. but
under these conditions she ran no risks:
The chauffeur fetched his friends and
Mathilde and the three men got into a
fiacre and drove off to an important
monte de piete. The transaction being
Of such Importance. it was thought ad-
visable not to go to small bureau:
When Mathilde went into the hall
where the goods are pledged. the place
was crowded.
Mathilde stood before the guichet
with the assurance of being favorably
received; she was behind a very pretty
girl of eighteen; her sweet face. al.
though wearing a look Of anxiety, at
once attracted Mathilde's attention.
With her large blue eyes, delicate skin
and soft hair, she looked like Greuze
picture.
A Continuation of This Story Will
be Found In TOmOrrOw's
Issue of The Times.