Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1914-08-21

scandals inevitably followed, scandals
he was the last to hear about and the
last to deny when he heard them.
Many persons. not being able to take
into the mind and :analyze a character
like Courtlandt's, sought the line of
least resistance for their understand
ing, and built some precious exploits
which included dusky island prin-
cesses, d~iaphanous dancers. and comic
opera stars.
Simply, he vas without a direction:
a thousand goals surrounded him and
none burned with hat brightness
which draws q man toward his des-
tiny: until one day. Personally. he
possessed graces of form and feature,
and was keener mentally than most
young men who inherit great fortunes
and distinguished names.
Automobiles of all kinds painted
hither and thither. An occasional
smart coupe went by as If to prove
that prancing horses were still neces-
sary to the dignity of the old aristoc-
racy. Courtlandt made up his mind
suddenly. He laughed with bitterness.
He knew now that to loiter near the
stage entrance had been his real pur-
pose all along. and persistent lying to
himself had not prevailed. In due
time he took his stand among the
gilded youth who we're not privileged
(like their more prosperous elders) to
wait outside the dressing rooms for
their particular ballerina. BY and by
there was a little respectful commo-
ton. Courtlandt's hand went instinct
lively to his collar, not to ascertain If
it were properly adjusted, but rather
to relieve the sudden pressure. He
was enraged at his weakness. He
wanted to turn away, but he could not.
A woman issued forth, muffied in
silks and light furs. She was followed
by another, quite possibly her maid.
One may observe very we'll at times
from the corner Of the eye; that Is,
objects at which one is not looking
come within the range of vision. The
woman paused, her foot upon the step
Of the modest limousine. She whis-
pered something hurriedly into her
companion's ear, something evidently
to the puzzlement of the latter. who
locked around irresolutely. She
obeyed, however, and retreated to the
stage entrance. A man, quite as tall
as Courtlandt, his face shaded care
fully, Intentionally perhaps. by one of
those soft Bavarian hats that are
worn successfully only by Germans,
stepped out Of the gathering to prof.
fer his assistance. Courtlandt pushed
him aside calmly, lifted his hat. and
smiling ironically, closed the door be-
hind the singer. The step which the
other mar made toward Courtlandt
was unequivocal in its meaning. But
eve as Courtlandt squared himself to
meet the coming outburst, the
stranger paused, shrugged his shoul
ders, turned and made of.
The lady in the limousine-very
pale could any have looked closely in
to her face-was whirled away into the
night. Courtlandt did not stir from
the curb. The limousine dwindled
once it flashed under a light, and ther
vanished.
"It is the American" said one o.
the waiting handles.
"The icicle!"
"The volcano, rather. which fools
believe extinct"
Probably sent back her maid fol-
her Bible. All, these Americans; the.
are very amusing"
she was in magnificent voice to
night. / wonder why she never sing
Garment"
Have = not said that she is to,
cold? What Would you see fros
grow Upon the toreador's mustache
And what a name. what a name
Eleanora da Toscana!"
Courtlandt was not in the mos
amiable condition Of mind, and a hin
Of the ribald would have instantl
transformed a passive anger into
blind fury. Thus, a hung pre-
c~ariously; but its potentialities be
came as nothing on the appearance Q
another woman.
This woman was richly dressed, to
richly. She was followed by a Ruiz
sian, huge of body. Jovian of count.
nance. An expensive car rolled up t
the curb. A liveried footman jumpe
down from beside the chauffeur an
opened the door. The diva turne
> her head this way and that, a thi
smile of satisfaction stirring her lip
! For Flora Desimone loved the huma
, eye whenever it stared admiration int
her own; and she spent half her day
! setting traps and lures, rather su,
: cessfully. She and her formidable @
cort got into the car which immed
; ately went away with a soft purrin
sound. There was breeding in the 81
CINE, anyhow, thought C%ourtlandt, VIII
> longed to put his strong fingers aroun
that luxurious throat which had, but
. second gone, passed him SO closely.
, He turned down the Rue Royale, q