The daily Alaskan., 1913-12-11
Their Strange
 Guide
By DONALD CHAMBERLAIN

Everybody in Paris dimes in a cafe. That's what gives that city its especial flavor. After dinner this same every body" devotes himself to pleasure. Ed ward Fawning, an American, and his bride were in this city of joyful ad- ventures and were dining at cafe on Rue RivoH. They had both heard of the view of life to be had in Paris and had come there to witness it, hay ing agreed that they would do so to- gether, the husband not going any where that he could not take his wife.
 But they did not know where to go. 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 a peep at this gay city, but they still sat over their wine, for they had mo guide. A man sat at table near by. and Fawnlng, who spoke French fair.y. said to him:
 Monsieur. my wife and I are Ameri- cans who Eayc come to Paris to see what is t1 be seen. keeping within the bounds of what a lady may wit ness. Cau you tell Us of some of the places of interest and how to get to them"
 "Woula monsieur like a guide?"
 Most aSsu"eGly.'
 "Theu l am at yOur service
 A bargain was struck wherein Pawn ing should pay 5o francs. or $l0 and the stranger should show them where 10 go. A tayfcab was ordered, and the three entered. thr stranger directing the coachm~l whore to drive.
 Are you professional cuide?" ask cd Fawuiu- us they rolled along
 "No. monsieur"
 q suppose voU took pity on us reioinr5 Fgwuiug.
 q % with you for company. l am very alone in the world. do not make friends casjiy.'
 "What is your regular husinesST
 'I all a surgeon"
 Both bride and groom looked sur DriScd. 4 surgeon was not man to act as guide for a couple of Americans. Besides. the man did not have a pro fessioaal cut. On the contrary, he was a very ordinary looking person.
 "What is your name?" asked Pawn. ing.
 Gall mo monslcur. It would not do ] 70
 "I see. You. a surgeon. would not like to have it known that you have been a guide. You need not fear for us: we do not know a single person in Paris. But I 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- Il pauiouship. There is nothing so de- pressing as loneliness"
 Besides. my professional work is not inspiring"
 By no means. The scyering of hu- man limbs. to me. would be horrible"
 They drew up to a building where the tango was being danced. Monsieur told them to go up to a gallery and h. would wait for them in the carriage Fawring asked him to go with them. but he suid that it would not do for him to he 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. Fawniug a dread of him. and she was pleased that he had remained behind.
 Those foreign curiositlos that one hears so much about seldom come m to the expectation. Mrs. Fawning was not especially interested in the dances. and they did not remain long. Mon sieIr drove them to several other sicb+s. but they were not especially charmed. About il o'clock they stop ped at a restaurant and invited their guide to go in with them and drink bottle of champagne.
 "Therc will he no need for you to pay for the wine" said monsieur. 'I esteem myself honored by having been admitted to your company. The facti that ] must perform an operation m the morning. and I dislike to be alone in the meantime l 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, saving that he only agreed to it 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 it came, but it did not come. Finally Fawning said:
 Monsieur. I think we had better pay for our supper and go; madame is getting tired
 "In five minutes" returned the other, looking at clock. "I must go at 12 to prepare for my operation"
 "What-au operation so early in the