Mountain advocate., 1916-05-05

He couldn't stand there In the rain for.
ever, gossiping with a girl half hyster.
ical or pretending TO be.
you see" she explained when the
fiacre was again under way, Il thought
I had hundred.iranc note in my pock.
etbook, and so have-but the pocket
books back there in my room at
Troyon's."
"A hundred francs wouldn't see you
far toward New York." he observed
thoughtfully
"Oh, I hope you don't think"
She drew back into her corner with
q little shudder Of humiliation.
As If he hadn't, Lanyard turned to
the window, leaned out, and redirected
the driver sharply: 'lmpasse Stanis-
las"
Immediately the vehicle sweIved
| rounded corner, and made back
toward the Seine with a celerity which
suggested that the stables lay on the
Rive Gauche.
"Where?' the girl demanded as Ian.
yard sat back. Where are you taking
me?"
I'm sorry" Lanyard said, with every
appearance OF sudden contrition; II
acted impGsively-on the assumption
OF your complete confidence Which,
Of course, was objectionable. But
believe me, you have only to say no,
and it shall be as you wish"
But" she persisted impatiently-
you haven't answered me: what is
this lmpasse Stanislas?"
THE address of an artist know
Solon the painter We're going to take
| possession of his studioresidence in
his absence. Don't worry; he won't
mind. He is under heavy obligation to
me-l've sold several canvases for
him, and when he's away, as now. in
the States, he leaves me the keys. It's
sober-minded, steadypaced neigh
borhood, where we can rest without
| misgivings and take our time to think
things out"
But" the girl began in an odd
| tone.
Permit me-" he interposed hastily,
ito urge the facts OF the case upon
your consideration.
"Well?" she said in the same tone,
as he paused
ITO begin With don't doubt you've
good reason for running away from
| your father"
"A very real. very grave reason"
she affirmed quietly
That is out of the question:" with
restrained passion that almost won his
credulity.
But you've no friends in Paris"
Not one,"
And no money. So it seems IL
find some place to hide pro ten. AS
for myself, I've not slept in fortyeight
hours and must rest before | can do
more, before I'll be able to think clear
ly and plan ahead And we won't ac-
complish much riding round forever
in this miserable ark. So | offer you
the only solution I'm capable of ad
vancing under the circumstances
You are quite right. the girl agreed
after a moment. Please don't think
me unappreciative. Indeed, il makes
me very unhappy TO think | know no
way to make amends for your trouble"
There may be a way" Lanyard in.
formed her quietly; but Wen not dis.
cuss that until we've rested up bit"
Il shall be only too glad" she be-
gan. but broke off and, in a silence
that seemed almost apprehensive
eyed him speculatively throughout the
remainder of the journey.
II wasn't a long one, and in the
course of the next ten minutes they
drew up at the end of a shallow pocket
OF a street a scant halfblock in depth.
Alighting, Lanyard helped the girl out,
paid and dismissed the cocher, and
turned to an iron gate in a high stone
wall crowned with spikes.
The grillework of that gate afforded
glimpses of a small, dark garden and
little house of two stories. Blank
walls Of beetling tenements shouldered
both house and garden on either side.
Unlocking the gate with a ready key,
Lanyard refastened it very carefully,
repeated the business at the front door
of the house, and when they were Sc
curely locked and bolted within dark
reception room, turned on the electric
light
But he granted the girl little more
than time for fugitive survey of this
anteroom to an establishment OF
unique artistic character.
"Solon's living quarters are down
stairs here" he explained hurriedly.
He's unmarried, and lives quite
alone-his studio devil and the woman
who cares for things come in by the
day only-and so he avoids that pest
Of Partisan life, the concierge. With
your permission, I'll assign you to the
studio-up here"
And leading the way up narrow
fight OF steps. he had made light in
the huge room by the time the girl
Joined him.
Il believe you'll be comfortable, he
said. That divan yonder is as easy