The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-09-22

had been KILLED Ia action at Ia
Fcre-Champcnolse on tho ninth OF
September following Her homer
Tho Chateau do Montalais
On the hand nhe stripped In or.
der TO sign her deposition Duche.
min saw a blue diamond % such
superb water that this amateur Of
precious stones caught hts breath
for sheer wonder al It's beauty and
excellence and worth Such jewels.
he knew. were few and Tar 20 seek
outside the collections ~ urt~~
Out OF these simple elements
Imagination reconstructed tmgvdy.
tragedy Of life singuiAfiy Gloss
10 tho truth as he later came to
learn n. a story not at all eaicu.
lated TO lessen his Interest IN the
woman.
Such women. he knew 80 -
product OF a cultivation seldom -
be achieved BY poverty. 4a.s o..s
had been made before. and not by.
her marriage. Her father. then. had
commanded riches. And when ono
knew. an Duchenin know. what de-
lights New York has for young
women OF wealth and fashion.
one prcceived a radiant and many.
coiored background for this drab
life Of a rcciusc. expatriats from
tho high world CT her inheritance.
which Eve d. Montaiais must lead.
and for the six years OF her prcma.
rure widowhood must have led. Ia
that lonely chateau. buried deep In
the ionriient hills Of all France. tho
sole companion and comfort OF her
husbands bercav.d sister and grand
mother. chained by sorrow To their
SORROW. by an inexosabls reluctance
TO give them pain by seeming 20
slight the memory Of the husband.
brother and grandson thru turning
her face toward the world Of life
and light and Eniety Of which she
was no essentially a part. isolate
from which she was 10 inevitably
a thing existing without purpose or
effect.
How often. Duchrmin wondered.
had she In hours OF solitude and
restiessncns felt her spirit yearnlng
toward Paris. the nearest gateway
20 her world. and had cried out:
How long. O Lard how long,"
The mellow resonance OF a two.
toned automobile horn. disturbing
the early evening hush and at the
same time Duchcmln's mediiationa.
recalled him 10 Nant IN time 70
see a touring car Of majestic pro
portions and micn which. coming
from the south. from the direction
Of tho railroad and Mines. was
sweeping a fine curve round two
sides OF tho public square. Arriv.
Ing in front OF the Hotel do I'uni.
vers II executed a fun stop and
stood curbed yet palpitant. purring
heavily: an impressive brute Of a
car. all shining silver plate and
iustrous green paint and gold. the
newest model Of the costiicst and
best automobile manufactured In
France.
instantly, as the wheels ceased
20 turn. a young man in the smart.
est livery imaginable. green gar.
nlshed with gold. icaped smnrtly
from the drivers seat. with military
precision opened the door OF the
tonneau and. holding II. lmmobiliscd
himself into tho sembianco Of n
waxwork image with the dispassion-
ate eye. the firm mouth, and the
closely razored square jowis OF the
model chauffeur.
Rustics and townsfoik were nj.
ready gathering. a gaping audience.
when from the tonneau descended
first long and painfully emaciated
gentleman. whose face was ca.
davcrous mask OF settled melan.
choiy and his chosen toilette for
motoring as might be seen thru
tho open and Tapping front OF his
ulster a tightly tailored light grey
cutnway coat and trousers. with a
double.brcastcd white waistcoat. a
black satin Ascot scarf transfixed
by single splendid pearl. and spot.
less white spats.
His hand. as gaunt as skeletons
assisted 10 aiIght young woman
whose brilliant blonde beauty. viewed
for tho first time in evening shad.
ows. was like n shaft OF sunlight In
O darkened room. a well.made
creature. becomingly and modishly
gowned for motoring. spirited yet
dignified In carriage. she was like