Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-04-12
The Mischief Maker
By E. Phillips Oppenheim
Copyright 1912, by Little, Brown Co.
CHAPTER 1.
SYMPATHY AND sELFIsHNE

nns Isebind them was the little sanitarium. gray
stone villa bdt in the style of chateau overgrown
with creepers with stretching down
to the sunny which the girl had been carried
earlier the day. There were flowers everywhere
beds of hyaoinths, borders of purple and yellow
A lilac tree was bursting into blossom the
soft and full of life Below beyond the yell
low starred field which the had spoken flowed
the Seine and in the distance one could see the out
skirts of'Pafis. -
plaintively. "This morning he was quite cheerful
suppose he knows but it is strange that should feel
weak-weaker even day by day Ana my cough
it tears me to pieces all the time.
The who bending over her gulped some
thing down in turned her head Although
than the invalid whom she had come to visit she
and very beautiful Her cheeks were trlne
PALE without the tears her eyes were almost
.Tbe doctor must know dear Luce," she declared.
"Our owns feelings often mean nothing at all
The girl a little uneasily in her chair she,
also. had once been pretty Her hair was st an ex,
pnched her complexion had gone her clothes fell ABOUT
her. She seemed somehow shapeless. - . -.
yes" agreed, "the doctor knows-he must
know I it in his manner every time he comes to
visit me- heart" she added. dropping her voice.
"he must that going to die"
Her seemed to have snened in their sockets 10
have become dilated Her lips trembled but her eyes
"ohI madame" she sobbed sis it not cruel that
should die like this am SO young nave Ot seen
The woman who sat by her side was shaking. Her
lit air Wherever she looked she seemed to read in let
of fire the history of this girl the history OF so
many others
tors wonderful nowadays There are SO few dis
eases wiroF f ee tI IU Resides Won are SO young
one does not die at 10. Tell me about this man
nof o,sn when vou were in the bospitaI?"
The girl began to tremble
mot once" she murmured
You that he had your letters? He knows
that t.3 you ar are v out here and aonee
There was a short silence. The woman found it
hard to know what to say Somewhere down along the
white dusty road man was grinding the music of
thrpad walt
eve used to hear that sometimes" she whispered,
l"at cafes. At where went often they used
that liked it and they always played it when
we came 1t is queer to hear it again-like this
oh when T close NV ewes" She muttered ST am
afraid 1t is like shutting out life for always"
The woman by her side rose up Lucie caught at
Madame, you not going yet?" she pleaded Am
I selfish? Yet you have not stayed with me so long
yesterday. and I lonely"
The womans face had hardened little
II going to find that man." she replied i have
his address. I want to bring him to you"
The girls hold upon her skirt frightened
"Si. down." she begged. DO not leave me- Indeed
it is useless He knows. He not choose to come
Men like that OIL madame have learned my
lesson 1 know that love is vain thing. Men do
not often really feel it. They come to US when we
please them, afterward that does not count sup
pose we were meant to be sacrificed. given up
thinking of Eugene afraid perhaps of the infec
think that would sooner go out of life as lie
here cold and inioved. than have him to
wiliingly"lW
The woman could hide her tears any longer
There something exqusitey fragile strangely
pathetic in that PROSTATE figure by her side
"But, my DEAR" she faltered-
Madame" the girl interrupted, hold hand for
moment. That is the doctor coming hear his foot
step. I think that must sleep"
Madame Christophor-she had another name, but
there were occasions which she cared to it
driven back to Paris in accordance with her muir
word of Instruction at pace which took little
heed police regulations even of safety. Through
the peaceful the hills into the suburbs and
into the city itself she passed, at speed which was
scarcely when she turned into the Boule
ward, which was her destination CHANGING at the ship
of paper which she held in her hand she pulled the
checkstrng before tall block of buildings She hur-
red inside two flights Of stairs and the
bell of door Immediately opposite her. very Ger
an-lookng opened 1t after the brefest of
delaysa with fair mustache fat stolid face and
rs your master in" she demanded. "Monieur
men?"s
The man stared at her. then bowed. The appearance
of Madame Christopher was. without impressive
I win inquire, madame" he replied
II in a hurry" she said, curtly BE so good as
your master know that"
moment later she was ushered into sitting room
mans apartment, untidy, reehing of cigarette
smoke and stale air, There photographs and
souvenirs of women everywhere. The windows were
fast-closed and the curtains half drawn. The man
who stood upon the hearthrug was Of medium height
dark. with close-cropped hair and black dropping
mustache His first glance at his visitor as the door
opened, of impertinent curiosity.
'Madame?' he inquired
you are Monsieur Estermen?"
He bowed. He very much impressed and he en-
deavored to assume manner.
THAT is my name Pray be seated"
She waved the chair she offered.
MY automobile is in the street below" she said Il
wish to come with me at once to see poor girl
who dying"
He looked at her In anazement
Are you serious, madame?"
"I very serious" she replied. THE girls name
ia Lucie Renault"
the moment he seemed perplexed. Then his eye
brows were slowly raised.
."Lucie Renaut" he repeated. What do you know
about her?'
"oniy that she is poor child who has suffered at
your hands and who is dying in private hospital"
Madame Christopher answered "She has been taken
of charity She has friends, she is dying
alone. with 1 will take you to her. You
shall save her least from that terror
the aim of the man with whom she spoke to
be considered modern perfect and invncble selfish
ness enabled him to reach the topmost height of
callousness and to remain there without anectation
little girl is dying, he said, Il sorry, for
pretty and companionable, although have lost
sight of her lately But to going out to her,
why, that absurd. 1 hate illness of all sorts"
The looked at him steadfastly, looked at him
as though had into contact with
creature.
do you understand what it is that 1 am saying?"
demanded This girl little friend is
for your sake that she gave up the
simple life she living when first knew her, and
went upon the stage. The life too strenuous for
har The hro<e dovvn care