The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1913-10-30
Their Strange
Guide
By DONALD CHAMBERLlN

DOLy ueNOleS ulluSell w picoSoie. AN
ward Fawning. an American, and his
bride were in this city Of joyful ad-
ventures and were dining at cafe on
Rue Rivoli. They had both heard Of
the view Of life to be had In Paris
and had come there to witness It hav-
ing agreed that they would do so to-
gether. the husband not going any
where that be could not take his wife.
But they did not know where to 60.
What is the use Of being In a city
where strange sights are to be seen
without knowing where they are. what
they are or how to get to them? Then,
dinner finished. they were ready to go
forth to take peep at this gay city.
but they still sat over their wine. for
they had no guide. A man sat at a
table near by. and Fawning. who spoke
French fairly. said to him:
Monsieur. my wife and / are Ameri-
cans who have come to Paris to see
what Is to be seen. keeping within
the bounds Of what lady may wit
neas. Can you tell us Of some Of the
places Of interest and how to get to
them"
would monsieur like guide?"
Most assuredly."
Then am at your service"
A bargain was struck wherein Fawn-
ing should pay 80 francs, or $40, and
the stranger should show them where
20 70. A taxicab was ordered, and the
three entered. the stranger directing
the coachman where to drive.
"Are you a professional guide?' ask
ed Fawning as they rolled along.
mo. monsieur"
IL suppose you took pity on u.s."
rejoined Fawning.
T 90 with you for company. l am
very alone in the world. I do not make
friends easily"
"What is your regular business"
II am a surgeon"
Both bride and groom booked sur
prised. A surgeon was not a man to
act as guide for a couple Of Americans.
Besides, the man did not have pro-
fessional cut On the contrary. he was
very ordinary looking person.
What is your name7" asked Fawn'
ing.
Call me monsieur. It would not do
for me to give you my name"
II see. You, surgeon, would not
like to have It known that you have
been q guide. You need not fear for
US; we do not know a single person In
Paris But can understand your
fancy for taking up with a couple Of
strangers for a few hours, especially
since you say you are in need Of CON-
panionship. There Is nothing 50 de-
pressing as loneliness"
Besides, my professional work b
not inspiring"
by no means. The severing Of hu-
man limbs, to me, would be horrible"
They drew up to building where
the tango was being danced. Monsieur
told them to 90 up to a gallery and he
would wait for them in the carrisze
Fawning asked him to 60 with them,
but he said that It would not DO Tor
him to be seen. Fawning could not un-
derstand where the companionship In
such n course came in, but acquiesced.
Indeed, there was something about the
man that gave Mrs Fawning a dread
Of him. and she was pleased that ne
had remained behind.
Those foreign curiosities that one
hears 80 much about seldom come up
to the expectation. Mrs. Fawning was
not especially interested in the dances.
and they did not remain long. Mon
sieur drove them to several other
sights, but they were not especially
charmed. About II o'clock they stop
ped at a restaurant and invited their
guide to 60 in with them and drink a
bottle of champagne.
There will be no need for you to
pay for the wine," said monsieur. Il
esteem myself honored by having been
admitted TO your company. The fact Is
that l must perform an operation In
the morning, and / dislike to be alone
In the meantime. | feel under great
obligations to you for keeping my mind
of my work"
They entered the cafe and the guide
refused to take the fee offered him,
saying that be only agreed to 1t think
Ing that Fawning would not accept
his services gratis. When the party
were seated at table he ordered q
supper and champagne. Fawning In
sisted on paying the bill when it came,
but It did not come. Finally Fawning
said:
Monsieur. think we had better
pay for our supper and go: madame Is
getting tired"
"In FIVE minutes" returned the other,
looking at q clock. 81 must so at II
to prepare for my operation"
"What-an operation so early In the
morning.
The law prescribes the hour"
Mrs. Fawning looked at her husband
uneasily. There was something about
this strange man that repelled ber. But
she held her ground till midnight. when