Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-07-06

"Sf iShiihB d"u II a SiCdE u
ner that he was looking at her from q new
angle, one which frankly surprised him, that
Lucille had become a gorgeously wonderful wom-
an TO him and not merely the pretty daughter
of the woman he had loved in the Long Ago.
She was playing a part she had never dreamed
OF playing until she caught sight of her beauti-
full reflection mirrored back at her from the long
glass in her apartment: was playing a part which
she would not characterize even to herself. was
playing it as though born to just such a role.
And a great shame was upon her, even as her
growing self-disgust divided itself between shame
at seeing the great Loubeque falling into the net
she was deftly weaving for him. The Dreaming
champagne had no effect upon her. She was
astonished to see how it worked upon the spy.
not realizing his mood was one of eIf-relaxation
while hers was grounding upon one all-obsessing
idea. She watched him narrowly, marking the
constantly growing holiness of his frank admira-
ton.
A rather pretty girl whirled into the center
OF the big dining-room and without waiting for
the faint murmur of applause that greeted her
appearance to subside, began to dance. Lucille
noticed that L~oubeque had so far given himself
over to the spirit of revery that his dishes went
untouched as he watched the Indifferent dancing.
Inspiration came to Lucille, a daring thought
that fired her eyes, that made her cheeks flush
so holly she lifted her glass to conceal it from
her escort. Before this she had acted on a vague
impulse without seeing any definite result that
could come from her endeavors. She saw the
weak spot in Hugo Loubeque's well-nigh perfect
armor, thought she saw a method of reaching it.
quietly, she excused herself and left the room,
graceful, apparently unconscious of the undis-
guised admiration bestowed upon her.
Once at the end of the room her manner
changed. Swiftly she turned, taking the direc-
ton she had seen the dancer leave and coming
into a small room where the entertainers sat.
For just a second she paused, not knowing ex-
actly how to do what she had started now that
she actually confronted the situation. Taking her
self firmly in hand she approached the girl, draw
ing her to one side.
eff I pay you WELL" she whispered eagerly,
would you let me dance in your place the next
time-pay you one hundred-fve hundred dol
lorcs Sha aIlal ~ l. I'LL -.-a-1-l
ciously.
Five hundred dollars :" wonderment glinted
in the eyes upon her. what do you want-to
get a chance at cabaret work?"
Mono. I can dance, but I merely wish to
do it once. There is a reason I cannot explain
now. But it means everything to me. Please
please" Tears glistened in eyes filled to over
flowing with such honest pleading that the girl
Lets see you work." she demanded. "What
line, Miss?"
she had learned years before, one she had danced
in private theatricals. The cabaret dancer whis-
Pered to a young man in the corner who took
his guitar from its case and thrummed lightly
until Lucille nodded. Five minutes later, a bit
flushed but perfectly confident she has a~quitted
herself well, she halted at a sharp word from the
woman she sought to s%upplant.
you'll do" the girl said quickly, 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 again that such was
not her intention.
"All right then. You're due in half AN hour.
I'll fix it with the manager and put the orchestra
leader wise to the game. That dress amt quite
the stuff fer"
Lucille nodded gayly. Half an hour could be
ample time for her to make a change. Hur-
riedly she scrubbed a note to Loubeque, reassur-
ing him as to her delay and begging him to
wait a short time until she came. Then she
darted to her suite, fairly tearing her gown from
her in her haste. She did not know what odd
whimsy had induced her to purchase the little
c%oquettish fluff of a dancing gown that fitted the
part she intended playing so perfectly.
A bit breathless she returned to the cabaret
room barely in time to make her entrance. She
turned a bit cold as she waited, frightened of her
own temerity. The girl gave her a shove forward
and she found herself standing in the big room,
heard, as from a long ways off, the stringed or
chestra brilliantly playing La Paloma, playing
so irresistibly that, even with all her fear, her
toes tapped in time to the music.
"G'wan! Beat itr 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, grace
fully she glided into the room, her face par
tally concealed by the mantilla. A gasp of surf
prise followed her appearance, men and women,
leaned forward, forgetful of their dinner, lured by.
her infectious grace and charm. But she had eyesI
for but one man, the international spy, who, a
surprised, puzzled expression on his face, leaned
far forward in his chair, watching this woman
who danced so wonderfully, with such innocent
abandon and charm, who had eyes for no onea
thought of nothing save her work.
Then suddenly the music changed. LucilleI
flashed a glance at Loubeque and from that
moment danced to him and him alone. 1t was peri
fectly obvious to everyone in the room. The spyt
sank back in his chair, a bit embarrassed but
quite aglow with delight. The music was growing
slower, slower, and, with a trucking laugh of imp
ish merriment, Lucille flung wide her mantilla
and bowed mockingly, yet with the pleading ex-
preston of a child seeking applause, to the arch
spy.
For just a second his splendid mouth gaped.
then, with eyes that shot strange fires at her,
his palms cracked vigorously together as he led
off the whirlwind of applause that set the glasses
and cutlery dancing. The orchestra leader waved
his baton toward Lucille for an encore and, from
her chair opposite Loubeque into which she had
sunk, she half rose to respond with a bow.
"My Godw
"My GodP
The voice was hoarse, terrifying in its bitter
ness, it's scorn. Lucille turned, startled, then, in
Voluntarily, her hands reached out toward the
man who was standing, tense, a Mortified express
sion of disgust and unbelief upon his countenance.
"Dick! ~ she quayered.
Lieutenant Gibson moved away as her slender
figure swayed toward him. Her hands were upon
his wrists. He looked at them a second then slow
ly detached them and turned away, leaving the
great room, leaving behind the woman who dared