Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-07-24
CHAPTER lII-contlnued.

Oh, stubborn Dutchman that he had
been! Blind fool! To have run away
instead OF fighting to the last ditch for
his happiness! The Desimone woman
was right; 1t had taken him long
time to come to the conclusion that
she done him an III turn. His jaw set,
and the pressure Of his lips broke the
sweep Of his mustache, converting it
into bristling tufts, warike 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-
lieye that the prevarication had its
source in the pomegranate lips Of the
Calabrian. To give the old barb one
more twist, to learn II its venomous
point still held and hurt; 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 walt to see her
come out or return at once to his hotel
which, as 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.
yeyed 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 impudence. 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 we're alone. She mus
be surprised She must have no time
to use b, ready wit. An idea pre-
sented Itself. 1t appealed to him al
that moment as quite clever ant
feasible.
"Waitl" he called TO the driver.
He dlved among the carriages ant
cars, and presently he found what ht
sought-her limousine. He had taker
the number into his mind too keenly
to be mistaken. He saw the end OF his
difficulties; and Ee went about the af
fair with his usual directness. II wal
only at rare times that he ran his heat
into a cul.de-sac. II her chauffeur wal
regularly employed In her service. h,
would have to return to the hotel; bu
II he came from the garage, there wal
hope. Every man is said to have hi
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 maj
lounging in the forward seat.
The chauffeur looked hard at hi
uuestioner, and on finding that he sat
isfied the requirements OF q 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. o
do you come from the garage2"
81 am from the garage, but driv
mademoiselle's car most OF the time
especially at night. 1t is not madam
but mademolselle. monsieur"
my mistake" A slight pause. ]
was rather a difficult moment 70
Courtlandt. The chauffeur waite
wonderingly. Would you like to max
flye hundred francs?"
"How. monsieur"
Courtlandt should have been warne
by the tone. which contained no ur
usual interest or eagerness.
Permit me to remain in mademo
selle's car TIL she comes. wish /
ride with her to her apartment"
The chauffeur laughed. lie stretohe
tIs legs. "Thanks, monsieur. II
very duh waiting. Monsieur knows
good Joke"
ANd to Courtlandts dlsmay he rea
iged ,hat his proposal had truly bee
accc. ted rs ie~t
J am - iohing | am In earncs