The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1916-05-25

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you do something for me? want you
to go back and find Madame Arnaud.
Ask her to speak to me for few min
utes. I shall be outside. Tell her 1t
concerns her husbands proposed ex-
change. She will understand. | would
go myself. but my condition forbids
it."
Gabrielle glanced at him and saw
that he was in undress, and that his
uniform was stained with dust
Colonel Destinn," she said slowly,
the man you have just punished for
speaking TO me Is my one friend. We
brushed shoulders, as 1t were, months
ago, when three flights OF stairs sep
arated DRAMATICALLY and socially.
Now by chance we have met again on
the same level. Birds of feather
you know, Colonel Destinn. l too, am
something of scalawag, and the only
virtue of the species is certain 10y
atty to their kind. / am here to keep
guard"
Keep guardY he echoed, half puz-
zled, half amused.
HE has an enemy"
"And you are here as a sort Of deus
ex machina? Name of heaven, friend
Of metal! Give me the name of this
eyilly intentioped person?"
''That l cannot do, Colonel Destinn.
But will make a bargain with you.
If you will forget tonight's delin-
quencies and will take my place until
l return, ! will go on your errand.
Otherwise stay here"
He was silent moment, his hand at
his mustache; then he looked at her
with curious smile.
you are an unusual little woman,
mademoiselle." He seated himself on
the root of the tree, and drawing out
his watch held 1t to the light. II give
you ten minutes" he added.
an ten minutes shall have re-
turned" she answered.
Zone thing more do not wish any
one to know of my presence here. 1t
would cause comment. The matter Is
between Madame Arnaud and myself.
You understand"
"Yes-I understand" she assented
slowly.
At bend In the avenue she glanced
back for moment searching the dark
ness. Colonel Destinn's somberly clad
figure was hidden In the black out
lines of the trees, but beyond, clean
cut. against the sllyery plain, she saw
Richard Farqubar's upright watchful
figure. Half satisfied, she hurried on.
AS she reached the villa Bernotto's
the waltz came to a languorous end,
and few couples In search of fresh
air drifted out on to the veranda. Syl-
via Arnaud, with her hand resting
lightly on the arm Of young lieuten-
ant, stood at the top of the steps, her
head thrown back little SO that the
soft reflection from the overhanging
lantern flooded down upon her face
and the beautiful white neck.
Gabrielle touched her on the elbow
and she started "Oh, it's you, Miss
Smith | thought What is it?'
Colonel Destinn is in the grove"
was the quiet answer. HE wishes to
speak with you. Will you Gomez"
Eyes, waitr She turned carelessly
to her companion. you will excuse
me, won't you? My husband has sent
for me-"
A minute later she stood at Gabrielle
Smiths side at the entrance of the
grove. She had completely changed.
The coquettlsh lIght-heartedness was
gone, leaving her excited and a little
breathless. She glanced uneasily about
her.
81 believe you are shocked" she said
hurriedly. 81 had to say 1t was my
husband. And promised Colonel Des-
tim. 1t is about Desire-and his pro-
motion-a surprise"
Suddenly, with little choking ex-
camation, she stopped and chung to
her companions arm. miss Smith
what is that-don't you see-there in
the light"
Instinctively Gabrielle threw Off the
terrified hand. She had recognized
Arnaud. He stood In bright patch
which the moon threw between two
great palms on to the sandy avenue.
His back was toward her, his head
bent, the stoop of his shoulders, the
whole attitude unmistakable She heard
the faint click Of lock being slipped
back, and then be turned and looked
behind him. In that second his fea-
lures were as visible as when limelght
is turned on to the face of consum-
mate actor. Capt. Desire Arnaud
crossed the avenue and disappeared
like a shadow in the darker shadows
of the trees.
Sylvia shuddered and then laughed
unsteadily.
How stupid of mel was really
frightened. But did not want him to
see us. 1t would have been hard to ex-
plain, and he has been so strange and
excitable lately"
She went on alone. walking in the
center of the grove where the light
was strongest and hummIng softly to
herself, like confident child whose
momentary fear is passed and forgot
ten. Colonel Destinn heard her COM
ing. He was still seated where Cab
rlelle had left him, smoking TRANQUILITY,
and the dull glow of his cigarette light
ed up an enigmadcal composure.
Neither pleasure nor triumph had their
place In those set features, but some
thing else-the suggestion OF an meal
culable force under the heel Of an In
calculable will.