The Washington herald., 1913-06-08
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER L.
She looked the kind of prirna donni
who, in an ecstasy o. spirit, would kcl
her twinkling-toed slipper into the audi
ence with a shout of sheer surrender
Impulsive and daring, a toss to her fea
lures, a lift to her movements. A til
on her toes, alive like fire. Bronze hal
that flashed. Spicy dash! Alluring aban
don.
All, on the stage she was elastic anC
alive with nerve asd vivacity. Little
wonder that men loved her at first sight
Poise and presence were given her. Sa.
voir-faire.
1t was only afternoon, but one of those
gray winter days which make the cozies
maisonettes along Champs Elysees seen
gloomy and inhospitable. Ninon Nico
lette did not share the gloom of Paris
She had soft shimmering silk curtains
rosy pongee silk curtains, drawn
at the windows of her. splendid.
simple little sitting-room. She had shut
out the drizzle and charmed away the
murkiness with an electric light glowing
in the very heart OF red silk rose. Be-
meath the light, on heavy silk-covered
divan. she snuggled, slow smoke\ from
her cigarette gliding up, twining through
her hair, catching pearly tints of rose
colored light and finally spreading SO
thin as to be nothing.
Her toe tapped petulantly on the high
ly polished floor. once she pulled aside
the delicate rose-tinted curtain from the
window and peeped out, then dropped
back. muttering, Miserable, prepare
dams les enfors,''
Twice she arose and stepped into her
adjoining boudoir and cast sad, happy,
demure, appealing glances at herself in
the glass. Quite evidently she was await
ing someone, someone in particular, and
Ninon was hardly the sort to be kept
waiting. II must be man she expect
ed or she would not have pencilled her
brows so apparently, and a little rouge
had been enough in view of the rose
shade cuddling the fierce electric light in
its caressing folds.
She threw herself on the divans again.
musingly traced the pattern on the jew
eled case of her watch, felt fondly of the
pearls encircling her splendid throIt,
then Clasped one hand in the other and
looked long and deep into the ruby cen
ter of a striking ring on her little finger.
a Jluhlt OI d 1tltPIlOllt btil
aroused her. she started guiltily, dropped
the hand bearing the absorbing gem.
rushed to the phone, and with glad
little catch in her voice, "Allo"'
CT course it was he. for she gave that
quick smile into the receiver, turned the
lights in her eyes low and alluring, and
when she had hung up Strengthened her
bodice and wet down one penciled brow.
A Sminute later there came a neat rap
T. oil TIM
half minute to pass, Ninon stepped to
the door and opened it. giving her hand
to the man who entered, and greeting
him with very personal interest, leading
him at once TO a chair placed cozily be-
side her divan beneath the rose-colored
light, and pushing toward him a slender,
confident-loOking cigarette box.
They spoke in French and she shrugged
prettily in accompaniment. But he was
clearly American. His dress indicated
that if one could not read his clear-cut
face. There was nothing dapper in his
appearance. straightforward, frank
american the clothes proclaimed him. A
nice, neat suiting, cleverly cut long, roll
ing lapels to the coat and snug, turned
up cuffs at the bottoms of his slightly
peg-top trousers. All American in make
up, he was, and the way he leaned for
ward tensely and gestured unskillfully
showed that his knowledge of French
was little more than most college men
avail themselves of.
But Ninon talked tiny bit of English
sometimes, stumbling prettily and max
ing the man feel by contrast that his
French was good-fine, They talked low
and close with the intimate enthusiasm
of artists, thoroughly understanding each
other, but from Ninon's frequent relapse
into quiet formality it was evident they
had not ksown each other long. She
seemed unconsciously Turing him on, and
yet she maintained a gentle, charming
dignity. Her gestures became more viva
cious and fascinating. The man grew
ardent and energetic in speech; their
mouths discussed trifes, but their eyes
conversed more thoughtfully.
They came suddenly to speaking of
jewels. Ninon held out her ring to be
admired.
How you like zee ruby-eet ees one
big blood blot" she stumbled IN English.
accompanying with ripping motion of
the hand, which caused the gem to shoot
soft glances in the light from the rose
colored globe. I'm zis light eet ees zee
blood drop or zee rose, Monsieur Arm
strong?"
1T reflects your eyes in sortness and
richness of quality, though they are deep
er in COLOR cried Armstrong, reaching
out to catch her hand by the finger tips
to gaze closer at the jewel
"Non-non- monsieur" she cried, draw
ing the highly polished nails of her fing-
ars into her palm, as timorous kitten
sheathing its claws. Zee ruby, Zee
ruby"
Armstrong laughed low and dropped
mis- outstretched hand. Ninon drew in
her lower lip chidingly and dropped her
sweeping eye lashes toward him in soft
-eproach. .-
'ried. But your eyes, they"
"Ah, Monsieur she cried, throwing |
Ip her hands in gentle protest. She |
glanced at his hand. Zee ring OF yours!
1e diamond May 1 see him?"
.Oh, surely he smiled, leaning for
yard and extending his hand to show