The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-06-30

again. father2
He hesitated-then said, Yes.
should she wish il, | will do so. "
And Daisy Barton turned away,
up the stairs again. very reluc-
family. She already felt as IL this
attractive young Englishwoman
was 20 be her friend.
Madame Poulain came slowly
| across the courtyard, and the
Senator was struck by her look
of languor.
Senator Barton knew that
these good folks were trying 10
amass as large a dowry as pos
sible for their adored only child.
Virginie was now of manageable
age, and the Poulains had al
ready selected in their own minds
the man they wished to see their
son-in-law. AS he was owner of
an hotel at Chantilly, young and
reputed kind and good-tempered,
he had the right to expect a
good dowry with his future wife.
The fact that this was an Exhibit
ton Year was a great stroke of
luck for the Poulains.
The proprietress of the Hotel
Saint Ange now stood close to
Senator Barton and his compan-
ion.
We'll, Madame Poulain," the
American spoke very gravely.
there has evidently been some
strange misunderstanding. This
lady asserts positively she arrived
here last night accompanied by
her husband"
Madame Poulain shook her
head decidedly. II have already
told monsieur" she said, that
this lady arrived here last night
alone. know nothing of her
husband; l did not even know
she was married"
The Senator looked question
ingly at Nancy Dampier. do
you understand what she says?"
he asked.
"Yes-I understand. But she
is not telling the truth"
The Senator hesitated. Il
have known Madame Poulain a
long time" he said.
Nancy Dampier felt as though
she were living through a hor-
rible nightmare-horrible and at
the same time absurd. But she
made a great effort to remain
calm.
Il can't tell why this woman
is telling such an untruth," she
said ut is easy to prove what
| say, Mr.. Barton. My husband s
name is John Dampier. He is an
artist, and has a studio here in
Paris"
DO you know the address of
your husbands studio, Mrs.
Dampier?"
"Of course I do. think I had
better have a cab and drive there
straight" she said stiffly.
Every vestige of color had re-
coded from her face. There was
a frightened, hunted expression
in her blue eyes, and the Senator
felt a sudden thrill of concern,
of pity. What did it all mean?
Madame Poulain was still look
ing at them fixedly, and there was
no very pleasant expression on
her face.
WELL" she said at last, that
comes of being too good-natured,
Monsieur lie Senateur. What
does mademoiselle accuse us off
She may have arrived with a man
as to that | say nothing--but
assert most positively that in that
case he left her before she ac-
tually came into the Hotel Saint
Ange."
"Wiu you please ask her to
call me cab?" said Nancy
trembling.
And he transmitted the re-
quest; adding kindly in English,
"Of course / am coming with you
as far as your husbands studio"
Madame Poulain went a step
nearer to Senator Barton and
muttered something. hurriedly.
And very reluctantly he trans
mitted the woman's disagreeable
message. "She thinks perhaps as
you are going to your husbands
rooms, you had better take your
trunk with you, Mrs. Dampier."
Nancy assented, almost eagerly.
Yes, do ask her to have MY
trunk brought downi ] would far
rather not come back here" She
was still quite collected and quiet
in her manner. But, Mr.. Bar
ton, hadn't l better pay? Es-
pecially IL they persist in saying
/ came alone?" she smiled. a
fearful little smile. 1t stiil SEEM
ed 500 absurd.
She took out her purse. 81