The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-09-30
BY DONALD cHAMBERLIN


places OF interest and how to get to
them"
"Would monsieur like a guide"
"Most assuredly."
"Then am at your service"
| A bargain was struck wherein Fawn-
ing should pay 30 francs. or $40, and
the stranger should show them where
| to go. A taxicab was ordered, and the
three entered. the stranger directing
| the coachman where to drive.
"Are you professional guide?" ask
ed Fawning as they rolled along.
"No. monsieur"
81 suppose you took pity on u.s."
rejoined Fawning.
81 go with you for company. l am
| friends easily"
''What is your regular business"
81 am a surgeon
Both bride and groom looked sur
prised. A surgeon was not a man to
act as guide for couple of Americans.
Besides, the man did not have pro-
fessional cut On the contrary, he was
very ordinary looking person.
"What is your name" asked Fawn-
ing.
Call me monsieur. 1t would not do
for me to give you my name"
81 see. You, surgeon, would not
like to have it known that you have
been guide. You need not fear for
| u.s. we do not know single person In
| Paris. But 4 can understand your
fancy for taking up with couple Of
strangers for few hours, especially
since you say you are in need of CON-
| panionship There is nothing SO de-
pressing as loneliness"
Besides, my professional work is
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 go up to gallery and he
would wait for them in the carriage
| Fawning asked him to go with them,
but he said that 1t would not do for
him to be seen. Fawning could not un-
derstand where the companionship in
such course came in, but acquiesced.
Indeed, there was something about the
man that gave Mrs Fawning dread
of him, and she was pleased that he
had remained behind.
Those foreign curiosities that one
hears so 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 restaurant and invited their
guide to go in with them and drink
bottle of champagne.
"There will be no need for you to
pay for the wine" said monsieur. II
esteem myself honored by having been
admitted to your company. The fact is
that | must perform an operation in
the morning, and l dislike to be alone
! in the meantime. | feel under great
obligations to you for keeping my mind
off my work"
They entered the cafe, and the guide
refused to take the fee offered him.
saying that he only agreed to 1t think
ing that Fawning would not accept
his services gratis. When the party
were seated at a table he ordered
supper and champagne. Fawning in
sisted on paying the bill when 1t 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 a clock. 81 must go at II
10 prepare for my operation"
"What-an operation so early in the
morning"
"The law prescribes the hour"
Mrs Fawning ooked at her husband
uneasily. There was something about
this strange man that repealed her. But
she held her ground till midnight, when
monsieur. bidding them good night, de-
parted.
"Waiter, the bill" said Fawning as
soon as their guide had gone.
"There is no bill
! "Why soY'
'Monsieur de Paris never pays. All
Is free to him."
"Who is Monsieur de Paris? He said
he was n surgeon"
"a surgeon! Yes, he is surgeon in
specially. He cuts off the heads of
criminals"
Mrs. Fawning shuddered. "Come,"
she said; '1et us get away at once"