Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-03-02
that is to say, less glarine

that is to say, less glaring
ly; ill.ventilated; the open space in
the middle of the floor devoted to a
handful OF haggard young professional
dancers, their stunted bodies more or
less costumed in brilliant colors, foot
ing it with all the vivacity to be ex.
pected Of five francs per night per
head; the tables occupied by parties
Anglo-Saxcn and French in the pro-
portion of five to one, served by a
company Of bored and apathetic wait
ers; string orchestra Raging inces-
sanity; s. vicious buck-n:gger on dais
shining with self-complacency while
he vamped and shouted: "Waitin' fob
tn Robuht E. Lee"
Lanyard permitted himself to be
penned in a corner behind a table, told
the waiter to bring him champagne
not because he wanted it, but because
it was etiquette-suppresse a yawn,
lighted a cigarette, and reviewed the
assemblage with a languid but shrewd
glance
He saw only the company Of every
night-fOr even in the off season there
are always enough English-speaking
people in Paris to make it possible for
pAbbaye Theleme to keep open with
proit-the inevitable assortment of
respectable married couples with their
friends, the men chafng and wonder
ing if possibly all this might seem
less unattractive were they foot-loose
and fancy-free, the women contriving
to seem at ease with varying degrees
of success, but one and all flushed with
dubiety; the sprinkling of demi-mon-
DANES not in the least concerned
about their social status; the handful
Of people who, having brought their
fun with them, were having the good
time they would have had anywhere;
the scattering of plain drunks in eve
ming dress. Nowhere a face that Ian
yard recognized defnitely-no Mr. Ban
non, nc Comte Remy de MOrbihan.
He regarded this circumstance, how
ever, with more vexation than surprise
DE Morbihan would surely show up
in time; meanwhile it was annoying to
be obliged to wait, to endure this
martyrdom Of ennui.
He slipped mis- wine sparingly, with
out relish, considering the single sub
sidiary fact which did impress him
with some Wonderland he was being
left severely to himself; something
which doesn't often fall to the lot of
the unattached male at PAbbaye. Evil
IDENTIFY an order had been issued with
respect to him. Ordinarily he would
have been grateful, tonight he was
merely irritated; it rendered him con-
spicuOus
The fixed round of delirious diver
easement unfolded-as per schedule.
A Spanish dancing girl was given a
clear floor for her specialty-which
consisted in singing several verses un
derstOOd by nobOdy-and emphasized
her vivacity by making frantic dashes
at and rumpling the hair Of several
variously surprised, indignant and fat
tered male guests-among these Ian
yard, who submitted with resignation.
And then, just when he was Gu the
point of consigning the Pack to the
devil for inf1icting upon him such cruel
and inhuman punishment, the Spanish
girl picked her way through the mob
of dancers who had now invaded the
floor and paused beside his table
You're not angry, mon coco?" she
pleaded with a provocative smile.
Smilingly Lanyard returned a mega
tive.
Then I may sit down with you and
drink & glass of your wine?"
Cant you see I've been saving the
bottle for your
The woman pumped herself prompt
ly into the chair opposite the adven-
turer. He filed her a glass.
But you are not happy tonight ?''
she demanded, staring over the brim
as she slipped.
II am thoughtful" he said.
and what does that mean?"
II am saddened to contemplate the
infrmities Of my countrymen, these
Americans who can't rest in Paris un-
til they find some place as deadly as
any Broadway boasts, these English
who adore beautiful Paris solely be-
cause here they may continue to get
drunk publicly after half past twelve!"
an, then it's you are bored. is it
not?' said the girl, gingerly stroking
her faded painted cheek.
at is true; I am bored"
"Then Why not go where Won are
wanted?" She drained her glass at a
gulp and jumped up swirling her
skirts. Your cab is waiting, monsieur
and perhaps you may find it more
amusing with that Pack!"
Flinging herself into the arms of an
other dancing girl, she swung away,
grinning impish1y at Lanyard over her
partners shoulder.