River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-10-08

to subside, began to dance. Lucille no
tlced that Loubeque had so far given
himself over to the spirit Of reverie
that his dishes went untouched as he
watched the Indifferent dancing. In
SEPARATION came to Lucille. She saw
the weak spot in Hugo Loubeque's
we'll nigh perfect armor, thought she
saw method of reaching it. Quietly
she excused herself and left the room
Once at the end of the room her
manner changed. Swiftly she turned
taking the direction she had seen the
dancer leave and coming into a small
poom where the entertainers sat She
approached the girl, drawing her to
one side.
IF l pay you WE'LL she whispered
eagerly, would you let me dance in
your place the next time-pay you
pay you $1e0-$5Q0T' she added as the
girl regarded her suspiciously.
Five hundred dollarsv' WOnderment
glinted in the eyes upon her What
do you wanf-to get chance at caba-
ret work %
wish to do 1t once There is a reason
| cannot explain now. But it means
everything to me. Please-pIease"
Tears glistened in eyes filed to over
flowing with such honest pleading that
the girl quickly nodded.
Let's see your work" she demand
ell. What line. miss?'
Lucille slowly recalled an old Span
fsh dance she had learned years before
one she had danced in private theatri
calls. The cabaret dancer whispered
to a young man in the corner who
took his guitar from it's case and
thrummed lightly until Lucille nodded
You'll do the girl said five minutes
later, then, with a tinge of envy in
her voice and eyes, dead sure you
amt after me job?"
Lucille pressed the money upon her.
warmly assuring her over and over
agHtn thssA such was not her intention
FAB right then. You're due in half
an hour. I'll fix it with the manager
and put the orchestra leader wise to
stuff fer
Lucille nodded gayly. Hurriedly
she scrubbed a note to LOubeque, re
assuring him as to her delay and beg
ging him to wait a short time until she
came. Then she darted to her suit,
fairly tearing her gown from her in
her haste, She did not know what
odd Whimsy had induced her to pur
chase the little coQuettish fluff Of
dancing gown that fitted the part she
intended playing so perfectly.
A bit breathless she returned to the
cabaret The girl gave her shove
forward and she found herself stand
ing in the big room, heard, as from
a long way off, the stringed orchestra
brilliantly playing La Paloma."
"G'wan! Beat itw 1t was the voice
Of the cabaret dancer.
Lucille knew then that she must go
through with what she had started
Taking a long breath, her body swayed
to the strains. Slowly, gracefully she
glided into the room, her face par
TALLY concealed by the mantilla. A
gasp Of surprise followed her appear
ance, men and women leaned forward
forgetful Of their dinner, lured by her
infectious grace and charm. But she
had eyes for but one man, the inter
national spy. who, a surprised, puz-
zled expression on his face, leaned
far forward in his chair, watching this
woman who danced so wonderfully.
Then suddenly the music changed
Lucille flashed a glance at Loubeque
ard from that moment danced to hlm
and him alone. 1t was perfectly Cd
vious to every one in the room. The
spy sank back in his chair, bit EN-
barrassed but quite aglow with de
light. The music was growing slower,
slower, and, with trucking laugh OF
impish merriment, Lucille flung wide
her mantifla and bowed mockingly to
the areh-spy.
For just a second his splendid mouth
gaped. then. with eyes that shot
strange fires at her, his palms cracked
vigorously together as be led off the
whirlwind of applause that set the
glasses and cutlery dancing. The or
chestral leader waved his baton toward
Lucille for an encore. and from her
chair opposite Loubeque, into which
she had sunk, she half rose to re-
spond with a bow.
MY God!"
The voice was hoarse. terrifying In
its bitterness, it's scorn. Lucille turned,
startled; then, involuntarily. her hands
reached out toward the man who was
standing, tense. Mortified expression
Of disgust and unbelief upon his coun-
tenance.
Dick! she quavered.
Lieutenant Gibson moved away as
her slender figure swayed toward him.
Her hands were upon his wrists. He
locked at them a second then slowly
detached them and turned away, ieav-
ing the great room. leaving behind the
woman who bod darod ovarvfhinp for