Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1914-09-04
CHAPTER III-continued.

CHAPTER IIl-Continued.
Oh, stubborn Dutchman that he had
beeni Blind fool! To have run away
instead of fighting to the last ditch for
his happiness! The Desimone oma
was right; it had taken him a long
time to come to the conclusion that
she done him an i'll turn. His jaw set,
and the pressure of his lips broke the
sweep of his mustache, converting 1t
into bristling tufts, warlike and reso-
Lutte.
What of the pretty woman in the
Taverne Royale? What about her? At
whose bidding had she followed him?
One or the other of them had not told
the truth, and he was inclined to be-
lieve that the prevarication had its
source in the p~omegranate lips of the
Calabrian. To give the old barb one
more twist, to learn if its venomous
point still held and huft; nothing
would have afforded the diva more de-
light.
When the taxicab joined the long
line of carriages and automobiles op-
posite the Austrian ambassadors,
Courtlandt awoke TO the dismal and
disquieting fact that he had formu-
lated no plan of action. He had done
no more than to give the driver his
directions; and now that he had ar
rived, he had the choice of two alter
natives. He could wait to see her
come out or return at once to his hotel,
which, al subsequent events affirmed,
would have been the more sensible
course He would have been confront
ed with small difficulty in gaining ad-
mission to the house. He knew enough
Of these general receptions; the an
%nouncing of his name would have con-
veyed nothing to the host, who knew
perhaps a third of his guests, and
many of these but slightly. But such
an adventure was distasteful to Court
landt. He could not everstep certain
recognized boundaries of convention,
and to enter a mans house unasked
was colossal i~mpudence. Beyond this,
he realized that he could have accom-
plished nothing; the advantage would
have been hers. Nor could he meet
her as she came out, for again the
odds would have been largely In her
favor. No, the encounter must be
when they two were alone. She must
be surprised. She must have no time
to use ready wit. An idea pre-
sented itself. 1t appealed to him at
that moment as quite clever and
feasible.
"Wait!" he called to the driver.
He dived among the carriages and
cars, and presently he found what he
sought-her limousine. He had taken
the number into his mind too keenly
to be mistaken. He saw the end of his
difficulties; and - went about the af.
fair with his usual d%irectness. 1t was
only at rare times that he ran his head
into a cul-de-sac. If her chauffeur was
regularly employed in her service, he
would have to return to the hotel; but
IL he came from the garage, there was
hope. Every nan is said to have his
price, and a French chauffeur nigh
prove no notable exception to the rule
"Are you driver for Madame da Tos
cana?" Courtlandt asked of the mai
lounging in the forward seat.
The chauffeur looked hard at hi
questioner, and On finding that he sal
isied the requirements of a gentle
man, grumbled an affirmative. TIL
limousine was well known In Paris
and he was growing weary of thes
endless inquiries.
Are you in her employ directly, @
do you come from the garage?"
II am from the garage, but l driv
mademoiselle's car most Of the tim,
especially at night. 1t is not madam
but mademoiselle, monsieur"
my mistake" A slight pause.
was rather a difficult moment Il
Courtlandt. The chauffeur waite
wonderingly. Would you like to NAL
i've hundred francs?"
"How, monsieur"
Courtlandt should have been warne
by the tone, which contained no u
usual interest or eagerness.
Permit me to remain in mademt
seIle's a till she comes. ] wish
ride with her to her apartment"
The chauffeur laughed. He stretch'
his legs. Thanks, monsieur. 1t
very dull waiting. Monsieur knows
good joke"
And to Courtlandt's dismay he re-
ICED that his proposal had truly be
acce, ted as a jest
II am not joking. am in earns