The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-07-08
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I 'ob Raaol Sabattnt
@ BY Rafaol Sabattnt

"My poor Andre, why didn't you
tell me this at first?'
For one thing, you didn't give me
time; for another, I feared to shock
you with the spectacle of my degra-
dalton. What did you think Of the
play last night?" he continued.
ut was amusing and well con-
ceived."
Let me present you to the au-
thor"
You? But the company is one of
the improvisers."
Even improvisers require an au-
thor to write their scenarios. Soon I
shall be writing plays in the modern
manner.
You deceive yourself, my poor
Andre. The piece last night would
have. been nothing without the
players. You are fortunate in your
Scaramouche."
I'm confidence-I present you to
him"
"You-Scaramouche7 Your" She
turned to regard him fully. He smiled
his close-lipped smile that made wrin-
kles like gashes in his cheeks. He
nodded.
And I didn't recognize your
II thank you for the tribute. You
imagined. Of course. that I was a
scene shifter. And now the question
I have been burning to ask. Why
are you in Nantes. Aline?"
II am on a visit to my aunt, Nine
de Sautron. She is receiving several
guests today. NJ. de La Tour d'Azyr
is to be one Of them
Andre-Louis frowned and sighed.
did you ever hear, Aline, how poor
Philippe de Vilmorin came by his
end?"
Yes; I was told, first by my uncle;
then by NJ. de La Tour d'Azyr. him
self"
Did not that help you to decide
this marriage question:"
How could it2 You don't expect
me to Judge between men in matters
such as these?"
IF you cannot Judge. It is that you
do not wish to Judge" His tone be-
came harsh. "Wilfully you close your
eyes to justice that might check the
course Of your unhealthy, unnatural
ambition"
Il think had better let you alight
so that you may go back TO practice
virtue and honor with your theater
wench'
IF you must speak Of her at all"
he interrupted hotly. you'll speak
Of her as my wife"
Amusement smothered her anger.
Her pallor deepened. MY God" she
said, and looked at him in horror.
And in horror she asked him present.
ly: You are married-married to
that"
mot yet. But I shau be. soon.
And let me tell you that this girl
whom you visit with your ignorant
contempt is as good and pure as you
are, Aline. She has wit and talent,
which have placed her where che is
and shall carry her deal farther. And
she has the womanliness to be guided
by natural instincts In the selection
of her mate"
you will descend this Instant" she
told him fercely. That you should
dare to make a comparison between
me and that E"
And my wife to be-" he interrupt.
ed. before she could speak the in
for himself without waiting for the
footman. and leapt down. My com
pliments," said he. furiously, ito the
assassin you are to marry" He
slammed the door. Drive on" he
babe the coachman.
He got back to the inn to find the
company at table. Harlequin and
Columbine had spread the tale of this
prince in disguise caught up into the
chariot Of a princess and carried of
by her. and it was a tale that had
lost nothing in the telling.
Climene had been silent and thought
full. Clearly her Scaramouche must
be vastly other than he had hitherto
appeared. or else that great lady and
he would never have used such IA
miliarity with each other. Imagining
him no better than. he was, Climene
had made him her own. And now
she was to receive the reward of dis
interested affection.
Even old Binet's secret hostility to
ward Andre.Louis melted before this
astounding revelation. He had pinched
his daughters ear quite playfully.
"Ah. ah, trust you to have penetrated
his disguise, my child"
Her father offended her. Scara
mouche was clearly a great gentle.
man. an eccentric if you please. but
a man born. And she was to be his