The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-25
DOMESTIC HELPS AND
 AIDS TO HOUSHHE


caused you to leave when Ghe5sordela from Washington were stoleuP
 'There was no disgrace" DueiIN said, her tones fairly chilling. ~Iha papers were stolen by an outsider. sir. That was why boarded the Empress That is why I am here. That is why I seek money why I ann still search ing"
 seBut my dear Miss Bovess' he snaIt ed. you must realize that there is not money enough in the establishment tG purchase such a wonderful necklace aa the one you own. A few stones, pos sibly, or,'' he added as an afterthought, ssI might purchase an option on tho necklace for, say, as much of rea- sonable sum as you desire at present and will then look about for pur- chaser
 Lucille's face showed her Heifef.
 ..I will give you $1ojOo0 for an ops ton to sell the necklace within six months the man continued quickly Meanwhile will keep 1t here and give you receipt for it in order that I may show it to possible customers"
 s.Ten thousand donarsi'' Lucille'1 eyes were wide in Wonderment- u , was not ten minutes later, with mu- tuaI promise to say nothing of the transaction, that she left the shop with certified check for the sum mention ed in her tightly clinched fist accom- panied by clerk.
 "A strange shadow seemed to have fallen upon her. one which took g large part of the amusement she anticipated getting from her shopping away She could only ascribe it to meeting with one who had known her father, who lInwittingly showed her what tho Judgment of the world had been in regard to the missing orders, the ne cessfty for immediately foiling Hugo Loubeque.
 As she left the bank with the roll of banknotes in her hand and a warning from the clerk still ringing in her ears shc thought no longer of adorning her self, had forgotten her shabbiness and her fear of meeting her sweetheart Her thoughts were still upon clothes the most gorgeous clothes. And her thoughts were also upon Hugo Lou beque, the international spy, the man who stood between her and the fru- ition of all her hopes, the man-and 9 warm flush suffused her cheeks which she fought down swfftly--who was constantly proving himself but a mere man, after all; man susceptible to woman's charms.
 Her head was high, her cheeks sparkling as she entered the first fash ionable shop she came to; her manner such that the crowding, jostling wo- men made way for her as for queen in regal attire instead of a young giri with habiIiments torn and disheweled
 And always, alongside the doors of all the establishments she entered, waiting patiently waiting, futhVely waitinga rather servile appearing man stood, respectful. quiet contained
 Lucille's return to her apartment at the hotel was greeted with an appar- ent respect that spoke plainly Of the arrival of the food of packages she had ordered sent immediately that she might prepare herself for the conquest of Loubeque.
 It was several hours later that she looked at herself in the long chevai glass, frank admiration and wonder tngIing within her, manding her cheeks with roses that no ruby neck faces could have purchased. For the first time she realized that she was wonderfully beautiful And even as she stood there came a clear tapping upon the door. With a smile upon her lips she moved toward 1t, allow Ing it to open the slightest fraction at a time.
 r. Ht1u&O .1lDuDSl0C ELCEBEO w A--AAg i-'. maeulate in his evening clothes, and bowed gravely. his eyes taking her in from head to toe, frank admiration glowing in them
 .sYo1 will dine with me9' HIS man ner was courteous as ever yet there ] was a change. Something already was lost between them. some of the strands which bound them together siackened. dropped apart never to be put together again.
 Lucille merely nodded. Her heart was growing larger and larger, and she found herself frightened. She rest ed her hand upon his sleeve and all lowed him to escort her to the dining room.
 In the dining room she gave herself over to mood effervescent as the champagne that bubbled in tho glass before her. Loubeque had not proven adamant against the frank admirafion which went the length of the room at the appearance of Lucille. She was playing a part she had never dreamed of playing until she caught sight of her beautiful reelection mirror ed back at her from the long glass in her apartment. And a great shame was upon her, even as her growing self disgust divided itself between shame at seeing the great LOubeuue falling into the net she was deftly weaving for him. She watched him narrowly marking the constantly growing boldness of his frank admin ton.
 A rather pretty girl whfrled into the center of the big dining room and with out waiting for the faint murmur Of applause that greeted her appearance to substde, began to dance. Lucille no ticed that Loubeque had so far given himself over to the spirit of reverie that his dishes went untouched as hs watched the indifferent dancing. h. Gpiration came to Lucille. She saw l ~ L-