The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-25
THE STORY

f THE STUkt
Elise Duchanier becomes overnight
the most famous woman in Paris and
determines to live brilliantly during
the year to live that remains to her
according to the warning of the elderly
DIR. Lapierre. The beautiful and inno-
cent girl of gentle birth has lived in
poverty and is the sole support of an
invalid sister. Elsie had become maid
to Toilette, famous dancer, who through
jealousy attempted her downfall. but
instead, set her up as a rival in popu-
lar favor. Elise, now the famous La
Phalene, finds safety in the number of
her suitors who include her manager,
Maurice Brunei; Count Mordac, Dona-
tell and Ahmed, an Arab prince. She
thinks most Of Tom Kendrick, a young
American whom she met in her days of
poverty. Ahmed and Donateli quarrel
over her. Elise Attempts to avert their
duel. She appeals to Ahmed. Mordac,
at Lolette's instigation, agrees to mis-
lead Elise as to the time of the duel.
CHAPTER AWAITING
Mordac kept Elise in the restaurant.
1t was one of the most difficult tasks
of his life. At last he suggested it was
time for Elise to go home.
= 81 don't want to go,v she said. II
feel that dare not be alone. want
to sit here until it is time to start for
the Bois."
'.But that is impossible. Why are
you SO upset about this little incident?
There are some who would have found
wonderful advertisement in it."
II find only shame. Had they never
met me they would never have quar-
relied"
Mordac smiled at her. "You refuse
to face the facts Of life, cherie. They
have met you. It's accomplished. En-
fin What would youe"
There are only two facts, monsieur
life and death. The rest are of our
own making"
Z "a noble creed" observed Mordac,
''but an 4mpracticable one"
Impracticable? Have you never
looked back and found an if in all
those things that have happened to
you? If you had not done this or
that, results would have been differ
emit"
(which reduces if to the one fact of
life, my petite, Ell? And now l shall
take you home"
Elise knew she was not going to
sleep. She called for coffee and
book. 1t was an eternity that night.
Surely they would listen. She COM
forted herself with this, while fate
Knocked her.
On that night bolette's great black
and gray dressing-room was empty of
all save herself and her dressers. Like
Lolette, the place had undergone an in
definable change. But the glitter
showed false, the richness was as tin
sci. The great room reflected the
change in the fortunes of its mistress.
There were times when the empti-
ness of her room, the absence of adj
mirers, sent Lolette into those flaring
RACES of hers. This night she did not
appear to notice it.
1t was after her second appearance,
when she was finished for the eve
ming, and was half-dressed in her out
door clothes, that Heloise, answering
a knock at the door, came back with
her face flushed and excited.
Madame, there is Pierre outside"
Pierre was the stage doorkeeper. HE
brings word that Monsieur Kendrick
is below" fse
Kendrieki Came back at this hour
come straight TO her dressing-room.
Kendrick
She put out her hand, as though to
stay any movement Heloise would
make.
"Waiti 1 would think I"
Kendrick had probably arrived in
Paris on the night train, otherwise he
might have heard of La Phalene, or
have seen her pictures somewhere
about. For LOlette Immediately con-
nected this visit of Hendricks with
La Phalene, with the girl he knew as
Elise Duchanier.
Kendrick had come to the theatre
not to see Lolette but to see her dress
er. To see Elise, unaware of the
change in her fortunes. 1t was late
at night--late-andt there was the NOR
row, the early morning, when death
would stalk in the Bots de Boulogne-
death because of La Phalene.
The pendulum had swung full arc
if only she could take advantage of
its swing.
Her brain was working swiftly.