Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-02-24

Rose in Response to This Greeting.
"AEd you are American, too. Ger
tainIy you must know one another.
Mile. BannOn-with your permission
my friend, NJ. Lanyard And NJ. Ban
non-an old, dear friend, with whom
you will share passion for the beau
ties OF art
The hand of the American, when
as ice; and as their eyes met that
abominable cough laid hold of the
man, as it were by the nape Of
his neck, and shook him viciously.
Before it had finished with him his
sensitively colored face was purple
and he was gasping, breathless-and
Infatuated.
m. Bannon," De Morbihan ex-
planned disconnectedly-'I is most
distressing tell him he should not
stop in Paris at this season"
TT is nothing!" the American inter
posed brusqueIy between paroxysms.
But our winter climate, monsieur
it is not fit for those in the prime of
health"
1T is I who am unfit" Bannon
snapped, pressing r handkerchief to
his Hps-"unft to liye!" he amended
venomousIy.
Lanyard murmured a conventional
expression of sympathy. Through it
all he was conscious Of the regard Of
the girl. Her soft, brown eyes met
his candidly, with look cool in its
composure, straightforward in it's in
quiry, neither bold nor mock-demure
And if they were the first to fall, it
was with an effect of curiosity stated,
without trace of discontinue. And
somehow the adventurer felt himself
measured, classified, filed away.
Between amusement and pique he
continued to stare, while the elderly
American recovered his breath and
De Morbihan jabbered on with unfail-
ing vivacity; and he thought that this
closer scrutiny discovered in her face
contours suggesting maturity of
thought beyond her apparent years
which were somewhat less than the
sum of his own-and with this the
suggestion of an elusive, provoking
quality of wistful languor, hint Of
patient melancholy.
I'VE are off for a glimpse of Mont
martre,'' De MOrbihan was explain
ing-"M. Bannon and [. He has not
seen Paris in twenty years, he tells
me. Well, it will be amusing to slow
him what changes have taken place
in all that time. One regrets made
moiselle is too fatigued to accompany
US. But you, my friend-now if you
would consent to make our third, it
would be most amiable Of you"
I'm sorry" Lanyard excused him
self; but, as you see, I am only just
in from the railroad, a long and tire
some journey. You are very good, but
l.
"Good?" De Morbihan exclaimed
with violence. q? On the contrary,
1 am a very selfish man; seek but
to afford myself the pleasure of your
company You lead such a busy life,
my friend, romping about Europe,
here one day, God knows where the
next, that one must make ones best Of
your spare moments. You will join
US, surely?"
Really I cannot tonight. Another
time, perhaps, if you viii excuse me. +"
but it is always the way!" De Nor
bihan explained to his friends with a
vast show of mock Indignation /" An
other time, perhaps'-his inyariable
response! ( tell you, not two men in
all Paris have any real acquaintance
with this gentleman whom all Paris
knows! His reserve is proverbial-
as distant as Lanyard we say on the
boulevards!"
And turning again to the adventur-
er, meeting his cold stare with the De