The Carlisle independent., 1915-09-09
CHAPTER xVII-continued.


 She had done this for several days, but now she was restless. Sabron was not in Algiers. No news had been brought of him. His regiment had been ordered out farther into the desert that seemed to stretch away Into inf1nity. and the vast cruel sands knew. and the stars knew where Sabron had fallen and what was his history, and they kept the secret.
 The marquise made herself as much at home as possible in Algiers, put up with the inef1ciency of native servants, and her duty was done. Her hrst romantic elan was over. Sabron had recalled to her the idyl of love Affair of quarter of century be fore, but she had been for too long Marquise d'Esclignac to go back to an ideal. She pined to have her piece duchess. and never spoke the unfortunate Sabron's name.
 They were surrounded Dy fashion able life. As soon as their arrival had been made known there had been hutter of cards and a passing of carriages and automobiles, and this worldly life added to the unhappi- ness and restlessness of Julia. Among the guests had been one woman whom she found sympathetic; the woman's eyes had drawn Julia to her. It was Comtesse de la Maine. a widow, young as herself and, as Julia said, vastly better-looking. Turning to Fremont on the balcony, when he told her she was beautiful, she said:
 Madame de la Maine is my ideal of loveliness"
 The young man wrinkled his fair brow.
 Do you think so. Mademoiselle? Why?"
 She. has character as well as per feet lines. Her eyes look as though they could weep and laugh Her mouth looks as though it could say adorable things"
 Fremont laughed softly and said:
 Co on, you amuse me"
 And her hands look as though they could caress and comfort. I like her awfuIly. I wish she were my friend. Fremont said nothing. and she glanced at him suddenly.
 She says such lovely things about you, Monsieur"
 Really! She is too indulgent."
 Don't be worldly" said Miss Red mond gravely, be human. like you hozk ,o Doptt 1-otr q oraa with roa0u
 Madame de la Maine is a very charming woman" said the young man, and the girl saw a change come over his features.
 At this moment, as they stood 50 together, Fremont pulling his mus tache and looking out through the bougainvillea vines, dark figure made it's way through the garden to the villa. came and took its position under the balcony where the duke and Miss Redmond leaned It was a na- tive, a man in filthy rags. He turned his face to Fremont and bowed low to the lady.
 'Excellency," he said in broken French, my name is Hammet Abou was the performance of Monsieur Ie Capitaine de Sabron"
 What" exclaimed Fremont. what did you say?"
 "Ask him to come up here" said Julia Redmond. Tor, no-let us go down to the garden"
 Tt is damp" said Fremont, let me get you a shawl"
 No, no, I need nothing"
 She had hurried before him down the little stairs leading into the gar den from the balcony, and she had be- gun to speak to the native before Ire mont appeared. In this recital he ad- dressed his words to Julia alone.
 q am very poor man, Excellency," he said in mellifuous tone, and very sick"
 Have you any money, Monsieur?"
 Pray do not suggest it." said the duke sharply. Let him tell what he will: we will pay him later"
 'I have been very sick" said the man. T have left tho army. I do not like the French army" said the native simply.
 You are very frank" said Fremont brutally. Why do you come here at any rate?"
 Hush said Julia Redmond i'm ploringly. Do not anger him, Mon sieur, he may have news" She asked: Have you news?" and there was a note in her voice that made Fremont glance at her.
 q have seen the excellency and her grandmother" said the native.