Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-04-21
CHAPTER III.

Monsieur as American n SAID,
in difficult English. "Hc who be-
longs to Il nation so gallant, will not
make a lady to lose her boat. have
too-red lips oyer white teeth.
Rupcrt's black eyes appraised her
with an understanding tinged by
cynicism; a judgment swift and ac-
curatc as those tiny photographs
flashed upon a postcard while the
subject waits. But he lifted his
motor-cap.
PLEASED to oblige," he returned.
Under his hand, hts car darted
back with a d~isconcerting ase and
speed that scattered the crowd. OPP
posite >the platform he halted; the
limousine following. to stop also.
The woman descended, g%raciousIy
nodding to the American.
II am infinitely grateful, mon
%sieur," she acknowledged. She
turned a gold purse in her fingers.
Should I dare"
Il wouldn't" drily advised Rupert.
They exchanged a direct glance of
equal sophistication, then the wom-
an laughed a. little hardly and turn
ed away. The movement brought
her face to face with Delight War
rem.
The young girl was not a child; she
dropped her eyes and would have
passed quietly. They were SO close
that the Frenchwoman's. silks and
feathers brushed Delights lin
en- suit. But the woman did not pass.
instead leaning forward with an in
take of breath.
la mariee!" she exclaimed.
Startled. Delight lifted her eyes
and encountered the intent, weary
eyes Of. the other. For in the strong
sunlight the woman did look weary.
even haggard, and there was a heavy
purple bruise on n cheek that
"Madame?" the girl murmured,
with repugnance and offended sur
prise.
The woman laughed and shrugged
"Oh.. you will learn, where I have!
AT h Chateau Balsic-one learns"
h She said no more. An officer had
dashed up the wharf, flung himself
from his horse and came toward the
two women. He made no pretence
LOT ~concealing his haste or his pur-
pose; if he had placed himself be-
tween them, his attitude would have
been no more plain.
Madame, o will miss your
boat" he signified, with a tone and
glance of SO much harsh contempt
that Delight WINGED and shrank for
the other.
oh am going" said the
Frenchwoman carelessly. She looked
lagain at the girl. fPetite sotte!" she
breathed, passing her.
There "a a pause, in which the
two left behind surveyed each other
frankly curious.
"Mademoiselle,I I have been sent tc
dmeet you" the officer. said, when De.
Tight, recovering memory. would have
passed him, in her turn.
4 1t was difficult ITO beitsYe this wal
the same voice that had spoken tt
hthe Frenchwoman. Delight, had al.
ready noted the brilliant and grace
full dress Of the people. but she had
seen nothing comparable to the rich
half-barbaric uniform worn by this
young soldiAr. For he was very
young, with a fair. gay face, thai
seemed oddly familiar and ali trend
". (
II am Miss warren. she zorro.
borated, suddenly conscious in every
fibre OF her strange position. What
did he think OF her. unchaperoned
breaking every rule OF European con.
himself. somehow? z.:I--nny mait
She stopped, furious with herself
1for the weakness Of attempting eK-
cases that seemed TO acknowledge her
IN the wrong. But the officer only
bowed. + 4J5
The a~utonobile ii waiting. MAJ
az have the honor Of taking you to 1t.
The automobile! From IT the
Frenchwon1an had come. Deifght,
heart checked end she left q sense OF
lyertjgo. what was she facing Did
the beautiful car belong to Michael,
then: Michael. whom she had be-
flieved 70 poor? Yet now II was TOO
Ilate for retreat or question. She