Gilpin observer., 1917-09-06


lily had been one of the Oldest and
most-respected as well as one Of the
wealthiest in Manhattan. But that
comfortable fortune which might have
been hers had been dlssipated by her
paternal extravaganza; Fanny had
been penniless when she married
young Adair for his money-a sordid
motive whose meanness had been
atoned by her candor in owning to it
rs by its i'll success. For Adair had
lost everything in Wall street and had
taken his life during the ensuing fit
of despair.
Since that time Fanny had lived
upon the increment Of her arts and
charms.
1t was quite natural that steady
paced matrons like Mrs. Wrenn should
disapprove ardently of Fanny Adair.
Patria, however, liked the girl; and
recently finding her temporarily ma
rooned in shabby boarding house in
town for lack of funds or invitation
to any country house, had promptly
taken Fanny under her wing, prOvid-
ing her with accommodations as lux
urlous as her own in the hotel and i'm
pulsively promising her a month at
"Shadow Lawn" when the time came
for Patria to return.
Could she have seen Fanny, at that
moment, Patria would have been less
charitably disposed, would have grant
ed that more cogent reasons existed
for repenting Of her hasty invitation
than the fear of Mrs. Wrenn's dis
pleasure.
1t was noon precisely when Mrs.
Adair alighted from tOwn-car as ir-
reproachably turned out as her engag-
ing self, and with furtive glances right
and left, approached the entrance to
faultlessly quiet residence In So
ber side street Of the Murray Hill
quarter.
Her ring was answered by a sleek
little man-servant with close-cropped
hair as black as eyes that resembled
jet beads set aslant in saffron mask.
Indubitably he recognized the caller.
Bowling with Difference that was
somehow subtly insolent he admitted
Fanny.
u
room Japanese gentleman of high
rank sat clothed in the rich simple
ity Of the robes appertaining unto his
nobility.
He was a man Of middle-age, yet
younger than his years. The habit of
authority was his. tempered with the
most suave urbanity.
'Ny dear Mrs. Admir-"
He bowed over her hand SO low his
lips seemed to brush it.
She began to speak in agitated ac-
cents: Baron Huroki-"
He deprecated her emotion with a
slight gesture.
"You have come to tell me some
thing I very much wish to know
eh?"
Her hands worked together in her
lap. "I have come to say, I wish to
be released from our agreement"
A second small gesture dissented.
Her voice failed. She stared at him
with pitiful eyes.
at is impossible, my dear Mrs.
Adair." His tones were ms bland as
oil. his intention as firm as adamant.
He smiled intimately up at her. "why
distress yourself?"
81 don't like what you make me do"
she faltered. "Patria-she Is too good
to me, too kind and sweet. l can't get
my own consent to continue spying on
her."
"You do not need it, dear Mrs. Adair.
You have mine"
"Baron Huroki-"
"Please-ah, please do not make me
remind you of certain unpleasant mat
ters which must inevitably become
public should you fail to carry out my
instructions with respect to the amia-
BILE Miss Claiming. 1t is my wish that
you continue to be her friend; you
must become her bosom friend, her
closest confidnnt; when that is accom-
plished. shall secure through you GER
tain information essential to my-oh
happiness; and then shall permit
you to go free OF all obligations to me.
Meantime-must I remind you. your
services are well paid?"
She was silenced. And while she
sat twisting futile fingers together
and striving to contrive some way out
Of those tolls In which she was so
hopelessly enmeshed, servant en-
tered, bowed, and announced Senior
Juan de Lima. At sight of Mrs. Adair
he addressed her with the informality
of an intimate acquaintance:
"Ah-h, Sonora Adair! or all women
the one / am most anxious to see
And where, Fanny, dear, were you
last night, when I see Mees Patrin
dancing with Montmartre2"
"I-last night2 Patria at Montmar-
tre!"
The eyet of the baron narrowed.
"But yes-l tell you, nm at Mont
martre at two thees morning, with
friend. And sudden;. / see Mees