The Detroit times., 1913-10-23

Il shall return to Rome replied
the Barone. My long lease OF absence
is near its end"
What In the world can have hap.
pened?" demanded Nora. showing the
two notes to Celeste. Here's Donald
going to Paris tomorrow and the Ba.
rome to Rome. They will bid Us good.
by at tea. | don't understand. Don
aid was to remain until We left for
America, and the Baroness leave does
not end until October"
Tomorrow" Dim-eyed, Celeste re-
turned the notes.
Eyes. You play the fourth ballade
and I'll sing from Madame. 1t will
be very lonesome without them.
Nora gazed into the wall mirror and
gave a pat or two to her hair.
When the men arrived, II was i'm
pressed on Nora's mind that never
had she seen them so amiable toward
each other. They were positively
friendly. And why not? The test OF
the morning had proved each OF them
to his own individual satisfaction, and
had done away with those stilted man
nerisms that generally makes rivals
| ridiculous In all eyes save their own
The revelation at luncheon had con.
vinced them Of the futility Of things
In general and of woman In particu
lar. They were. without being aware
Of the fact. each a consolation to the
other. The old adage that misery
loves company was never more nicely
typified.
II Celeste expected Nora to exhibit
any signs OF distress over the APP
preaching departure. she was disap
pleased to be rid OF these two suitors
much as she liked them. The Ba'
rome had not yet proposed, and his
sudden determination to return to
Rome eliminated this disagreeable
possibility. She was glad Abbott was
going because she had hurt him with
out intention, and the sight of him
was, In spite Of her innocence, a con.
slant reproach. Presently she would
have her work, and there would be NO
time for loneliness.
The person who suffered keenest
was Celeste. She was awake; the
tender little dream was gone; and
bravely she accepted the fact. Never
her agile fingers stumbled, and she
played remarkably well. from Bee
thoven. Chopin, Grieg. Rubinstein,
Mcdowell. And Nora. perversely
enough, sang from old light opera.
When the two men departed, Ce.
leste went to her room and Nora out
upon the terrace. It was after Ave
No one was about, so far as she could
see. She stood enchanted over the
~ nc fr>v NJ - - IN ho
mountains and the lakes. How she
loved the spot! How she would have
liked TO spend the rest OF her days
here! And how beautiful all the world
was today!
She gave a frightened little scream
A strong pair of arms had encirclet
her. She started to cry out again
but the sound was muffled and blottet
out by the pressure Of a mans lips
upon her own. She struggled violent
ly, and suddenly was freed
III l were q man. she said, you
should die for that"
1T was an opportunity not to be ig
nored," returned Courtlandt. 1T is
true that was fool to run away as
did, but my return has convinced
me that should have been as much
fool had I remained to tag you
about, begging for an interview.
wrote you letters. You returned them
unopened. You have condemned me
without hearing SO be 1t. You may
consider that kiss the farewell ap.
pearance 30 dear to the operate
heart bitterly.
He addressed most of this to the
back of her head. for she was already
walking toward the villa into which
she disappeared with the proud air OF
some queen Of tragedy. She was a
capital actress.
A heavy hand fell upon Courtlandt's
shoulder. He was irresistibly drawn
right about face.
Now. then. Mr.. Courtlandt." said