Evening star., 1917-09-09

He was conscious of a dead silence
about him; the orchestra, which had
been playing an American ragtlme tune
grew still. The dancer leaped to his
feet.
"Msieur intrudes," he stated:
waring eyed the man coldly. He
turned to the girl again.
"Mademoiselle is annoyed?' he asked
again.
To his surprise she replied in Eng
lish.
please" she said, take me out of
here"
waring placed a five-franc piece on
the table. Fer the waitress. ne SAID
The dancer picked up the coin, flip
ped 1t in the air, caught 1t. dropped II
on the table.
"Msieur purchases his pleasures
cheaply," he said.
His strong white teeth cleaned as he
leered. Waring aimed for the exact
center of the smile: he had a large.
dancer went Sown with a crash 1t
was Warnings left that had struck him.
Warnings right reached for his coat and
hat, on a chair by his own table. He
got only the hat. n glance at the
angry faces about him told him that
he had done more than strike nau-
seous male fir; he had struck favor
ite of the cabaret - faVorite with
many friends.
Ones skin is more valuable than
ones coat. Moreover. there was the
girl Waring seized her by one arm.
Rapidly he propelled her to the door.
The blow he had just struck "Raoul
the Red awed those in his path. They
were content to curse him and afraid
to molest him. But behind him-War-
ing glanced over his shoulder as they
rea ched the door. The dancer was
being assisted to his feet; his mouth
streamed blood, oaths anu threats He
reeled after Waring and the girl urged
on by the cries of his outra ged admir-
ers. Waring wondered whether to send
the girl on by herself and stand and
meet the rush or continue with her.
Which was the better for her: Paris,
a night wasas had just been proved
no place for an unescortel young
girl. He saw the little dancer who had
tried TO f1irt with him climb upon a
chair by the stage; the restaurant was
suddenly dark He did not know that
"Raoul the Red" had repulsed the little
dancers affection and that she gIoried
in the blow that Waring had dealt him.
He only knew that there was confusion
in the darkness behind him and that
cabby who might have parleyed with
an unescorted girl, delaying her to find
out IL there mi ght be more in hindranCe
than in aid of her escape, whipped up
his nag the moment they had climbed
inside his carriage.
a nasty mess Why on earth hadn't
he controlled himself? A disgraceful
cafe brawl that might have led to hea-
ven knew what, But they were out of
II. and now that they We're safe. that
no harm had come % the girl, Waring
rejoiced in his skinned knuckles, He
had taught one ruffian that lady may
not be insulted with impunity.
The girl was huddled In one corner
of the carriage. Waring could hear
muffed sobs. The heat of the fight
left him as suddenly as it had come:
he remembered now how appealing
and frightened had been her eyes how
lovely, even in her alarm she had
been. A queer chokness that had
possessed him when he first glimpsed
her possessed him again.
You mustn't cry about it, he said
It's all over, Where do you wish me
TO take you?"
She named hotel-a very fashion,
able and expensive hotel Waring
called the address to the abby
I'd better ride along with you-if
you don't mind" he said
Th-thank YOU, she replied. She
said no more.
Sulkiness came TO Waring OF
course. he didn't expect her to fall on
his neck. but, after aIl-he sat up very
stiff1y in the carriage, looking straight
ahead.
More sounds came from the huddled
figure beside him. He looked at her
suspiclousiy. Of course. women often
got hysteria after scenes like the one
they had just passed through, but
this sounded like healthy giggling
don't see anything funny" he
said
You didn't see yourself-in the
light we just passed" she answered
You look so stern and-and-was that
a left nook or a jab that you knock ed
that man down with"
You're American" charged Waring
of course. And ] read the sport
ing pages-When the sisters let me see
a New York paper You're American,
too"
How'd YOU know" demanded War
ing
Would Frenchman-or even an
Enslishman-have interfered and
helped me" No. indeed. Mr.. Waring."
"Eh%" He was genuinely surprised
How'd you know my name?"
4 read the society pages. too, and
looked at the pictures-when the sis
ters let me"
What sisters Where are they to-
night? How'd they let you out alone :?
What were you doing in that cafe?
Don't you know any better? If were
your brother I'd
Yes. what would you do. Mr.. War
ing?"
Waring blushed He remembered the
punishment that he had thought suit
able for her little while ago
We'll, I'd talk to you" he said feebly
How dreadful" she exclaimed
Ill-humor never held Waring very
long. 1t was briefer than ever now
Though he could not distinguish her
facs In the gloom Of the cab. he had