Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-04-23
CHAPTER xlIl.-cor.inued.

CHAPTER xIIi.-continued.
With mallet, hammer. saw. and
screw-driver I worked until noon, ma
turing my plans all the while. These
plans would take the last penny In
the treasury and leave US in debt sew
eral thousand francs. But 1t was win
,r go to smash now. and personally I
have always preferred tremendous
smash to slow and oozy fizzle.
A big pot Of fragrant soup was
served to the company at luncheon;
and 1t amused me to see JacQueline
troop into the tent with the others and
sit down with her bit of bread and her
bowl of broth.
How is she getting on?" called
across to Speed"
THE child is simply startling" he
said. in English. "She is not afraid of
anything. She and Miss Crystal have
been doing that hair-raising flying
swing without rehearsal"
Byram's buoyancy had returned in
. measure. He sat in his shirt sleeves
at the head of the table, vigorously
sopping his tartine in his soup. and.
mouth full, leaned forward, chewing
and listening to the conversation
around him.
I'll say one thing" observed BY
ram. with dignity; IF ever git out of
this darn continong with my circus, I'll
recooperate in the undulatin' medders
an j'yful wales of the United States.
Hereafter that country will continue
to remain good enough for me-"
Now that had stirred up this bee
hive and set 1t swarming again. had
no inclination to turn drone. Yet l re-
membered my note to the Countess de
Vassart and her reply. So about four
O'Clock / made the best toilet l could
In my only other suit of clothes, and
walked out of the bustling camp into
the square. where the mossy fountain
splashed under the oaks and the chill
dren of Paradise were playing.
One thing noticed as I crossed the
unused moat of the Chateau de Ire
court on a permanent bridge. There
was a man, lying belly down in the
bracken, watching me; and as
walked into the court l tried to re-
member where had seen his face be-
fore.
There was a soft whirring in the air
like the sound Of humming bird close
by; 1t came from a spinning-wheel. and
grew louder as q servant admitted me
into the house and guided me to sun
ny room facing the fruit garden.
Suddenly the melody ceased, and q
young Bretonne girl appeared In the
doorway. courtesying to me and saying
in perfect English: "How do you do.
Mr.. Scarlett?"
The girl was Mademoiselle Sylvia
Elven, the marvelously clever actress
from the Odeon. the same young wom-
an who had played the Alsacienne at
La Trappe, as perfectly in voice and
costume as she now played the Bre-
tonne.
Il only came to renew an old and
deeply valued friendship. l am going
back to my fax now. And, by-the-way." /"
she said. languidly, "is there in your
Intellectual circus company young
gentleman whose name is Eyre?"
kelly Eyre? Yes" l said, sulkily.
'Ah. Would you take a message to
Mistaire Kelly Eyre for me?" she
asked, sweetly.
said that l would
Then please say that: On Sun
day the book stores are closed in
Paris"
VERY well. mademoiselle."
She courtesied and vanished.
fancied. after few moments. that
! heard the distant thudding of a
horses hoofs; soon | was sure of 1t.
and rose to my feet expectantly just
as a flushed young girl in riding
habit entered the room and gave me
se~ Eloved hand.