The Ordway new era., 1917-09-14


wealthieSt in Manhattan. But thar
comfortable fortune which might have
been hers had been dissipated by her
paternal extravaganza; Fanny hau
been pennlless when she married
young Adair for his money-a sordid
motive whose meanness had beeh
atoned by her candor in owning to II
as by its III success. For Adair had
lost everything in Wall street and had
taken his life during the ensuing nj
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; ana
recently finding her temporarily ma
rooned in shabby boarding house in
| town for lack of funds or invitation
! 10 any country house. had promptly
taken Fanny under her wing, provid-
! ing her with accommodations as lux
urious as her own in the hotel and I'M
I 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 a town-car as ir-
reproachably turned out as her engag-
ing self. and with furtive glances right
and left, approached the entrance to
n faultlessly quiet residence In So
ber side street of the Murray Hill
quarter.
Her ring was answered by 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.
Bowing with a Difference that was
somehow subtly insolent. he admitted
Fanny.
Upon a mat in the middle of the
room a japanese gentleman of high
rank sat clothed in the rich simplic-
Ity of the robes appertaining unto his
nobility.
He was a man of niddle-age. yet
younger than his years. The habit of
authority was his. tempered with the
most suave urbanity.
"N1y dear Mrs. Adair-"
He bowed over her hand so low his
lips seemed TO brush 1t.
She began to speak in agitated &C.
cents: Baron Huroki-"
He deprecated her emotion with
slight gesture.
"You have come to tell me some
thing l very much wish to know
eh?"
Her hands worked together in her
lap. 81 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.
1T is impossible, my dear Mrs.
Adair.' His tones were as bland as
oil, his intention as firm as adamant.
He smiled Intimately up at her. ''Why
distress yourself?"
u don't like what you make me do"
she faltered. "Patria-she is too good
TO me, too kind and sweet. 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 confidant; when that is accom-
plished, 1 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
hopclesSiy eHieSHeus StTSdHt 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, OF all women
the one am most anxious to see !
And where. Fanny. dear, were you
Inst night, when see Mees Patria
dancing with MOntmartre9"
I-lnst night7 Patria at Montmar-
trew
The eye. Of the baron narrowed.
But yes--l .ell you, am at Mont
martre at two the-s morning. with .
friend. And suddenly zee Mees
IChAuuiug tHefe. dancfnesir c04tnrne. :