South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-11-23
TINE WOMAN on THE TERRACE

THE WOMAN on THE TERRACE
Monsieur Jouquelle. the Project
Of Police OF Paris, was a moment
late.
An angry voice reached him at
tho turn Of the path. IL was a tense
low. menacing voice. The words were
not clear. but the intent IN the voice
y as unmistakabIe. For a mere frac-
ton OF time he remained motionless
as IN some tndecision: then he went
forward swiftly.
II was evening. The soft colors OF
sort OF twilight day were on the
Mediterranean The many-coiored
city OF Nice was lying below the
mountain OF olive trees and the
tropical gardens OF the Villa OF
Cimiez. The whole scene was from
a country OF the fairy; the romantic
frontier OF some kingdom OF wonder
legend
There were two persons on the
long terrace OF the villa when Mon
sieur JonqueHe approached. The
villa was small and sxqulslte-a sort
OF jewel-box hidden m a garden Of
tropical luXuriance. inciosed by
high wall surmounted by a tile Dor
der.
The villa was rose color. The tiles
OF the terrace and the border Of the
high wall were also rose-color. 1t
v-as a dainty and seusuous bit OF the
- world. as though raised by some en-
hantment out Of the baked earth
~of Arabia.
Monsieur Jonquene interrupted a
tragic moment.
A woman sat IN a chair midway Of
this terrace. 1t was one OF those
beautiful invalid-chairs made for the
Out-Of-doors by that Italian genius
which seeks always 10 add beauty 20
the decorative aspect Of garden.
The chair was white The gown
OF the woman in it was blue. It look
ed black in the soft evening light and
against the rose-colored villa and the
-Rhite chair.
The woman did not move. Her
srnau. shapely head. as from fatigue.
rested against the high back Of the
chair. II was crowned with a great
weight OF hair. as yellow and as
heavy as gold, built up into a Won
derful couture that resembled in its
vague outlines the helmet OF Miner
va. Her hands and her elbows lay
on the arms Of the chair.
Beside her, a step beyond, the man
who had arrived a moment before
Monsieur Jonquelle stood in an atti-
tude OF menace. The visible person
atty OF the man was pulling. That
he was an American one could in
stantIv see. But one could not so
easily determine his status or his
habits OF life.
He had some Of the physical char
acteristics, some OF the tricks Of
dress OF one engaged IN an artistic
vocation; some OF the swift. accur-
ate. precise gestures OF one skilled in
tho plastic arts But there was a
vigor and determination about the
man that one IS not accustomed to
ind in a mere artisan element Of
y ruthless decision and OF swift acts as
OF one accustomed to peril in his
trade.
The attitude OF the man and the
voice that had reached Monsieur
Jonquelle at the turn Of the path
were unmistakable IN their menace.
But the woman did not move.
Neither the sudden appearance Of
the man. nor his words. nor his
menacing gesture had in any respect
disturbed her equanimity.
The scene changed as at the snap
of invisible fingers. And Monsieur
Jonquelle came up on the terrace.
The man fell into the posture OF one
at ease before an interrupting visitor,
and the woman looked up ianguidly
as though undisturbed; as though no
human drama. however tragic, could
disturb her: as though she were for
ever beyond the stimulus Of any
human emotion.
II was clear that the man had no
knowledge OF Monsieur JOnquelle,
but to the woman he was evidently
familiar figure. His appearance
must have been an immense surprise
To her. as the appearance OF the man
beyond her had been. but there was
no evidence OF il in her voice.
She did not rise. But she spoke
softly.
You do me a conspicuous honor"
she said. You Will have been very
much concerned about me to search
me out here"
Then sho presented the man be-
= ond her.
MARTIN billiard" she said. ian
Americau-Monsieur Jonquelle."
The Frcachman and also the wo-
man. one thought, observed the
American closely to note any recog-
milton OF either the name or the ap-
pearance or the new ar-iv1. But
there was none. He did not know
either Monsieur Jonqueue or his
trade
She touched a bell concealed some
where in the arm of the chair. y
maid appeared. An added direction
brought two chairs. The American
sat down where he was. but Mon
sieur Jonquelie carried his chair a
little beyond the woman to the edge
OF the terrace. He put down his hat.
his stick. and his gloves.
II am fortunate 10 find YOU" he
said. II hoped 10 arrive moment
earlier"
The woman smiled.
IN that event" she said. you
might have failed 20 find my friend.
cIartin billiard. the American. You
VIII be interested, am sure. 20 meet
and TO know why he Is angry"
She turned slightly toward the
American. Her face IN the soft light
seemed smiling. but IL was. IN fact.
lnscrutable
Monsieur Jonquelle." she ex-
planned. is an old acqualntance-a
very old acquaintance. have no
secrets from him. lie Will know. I
am sure. precisely the reason for
my flight here and your cause or
anger against me-"