The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-05-17

cal world in Paris. She Is La Phalene a girl of gentle birth--Elise Duchanier \ -who through misfortune became maid 10 Lolette. a dancer. The latters spite ful machinations against her maid mls' carry and Elise outshines her.
 Elise, sole support of an lnvalid SIS ter. is warned by the elderly Dr. La pierre, who loves her, that she has only a year to live. Sultors gatnef about La Phalene, including Maurice Brunei, her manager, ana count MOT dac. Tom Kendrick, an American or different sort. whom she met eariler, haa Ieft Paris. It is he who has made the deepest impression on her.
 Brunei takes her to dinner.
 CHAPTER 27-CHICANE
 rwyHE little room was silent for a
 snace and it seemed to Elise that
 Kennels slightly qulckened h~s.thing and her own heart Dea's filled it. DJ
 sc ;t was to be lovemaklng m the .,5Sssh;oned sense of the term bru- .si ;ntended not to mention contracts se- srrangements, but would whisper ol lave to her, she to play her part as Tead;ly as she played his, and 50 maAe the game go well. .;...,lr .s
 Elise could have laughed Dltterly az ns she realized it. This must De brunel d way-always. He was, sne Sou;u +ov;' ' though far from being actuahy i io;do L;r, "a color all life vividly, so thaI IA wa. surcharged with emotion ana -sadv to claim any and everybody as friend or even closer.
 And she herself. She tried to analyze lar own feelings and did not altogether ~ She was not afraid. She registered that rather astounding fact with httie stirring as she faced Brunei. Sne was
 Rrnneps face was close to hers. Ills s;ngera dug tightly into the sottness nf iber shoulders. She knew she must answer him, must open the contest
 Weeks ,preyious she would have sfruggied and implored, have got away from him somehow.
 Instead, now she smiled.
 Her hand reached up and patted hls cheek. It is the picture we wouf1 see. cherie,'' she said. "Take me ana show it to me-" spurred brain hardly able to compre- tend. Then he nodded; sw uo
 .The picture! Le Brun-See ne e could not find any words to say 'O her. .u nd b;s hands dropped from her shouluerS "HAe she stared up at it, 5.4; n;talv. and turned back towards the tahle' q love pictures-fine pictures.
 He tried tol bar her path to the ta- hle. but she playfully waved him aslde'
 s.T noust sit down." she said. Now vou oo hack to your chair like a good snan and talk with me-" She slipped mast him an6 dropped into her chair.
 Ha reseated himself and stared across the table at her.
 Obviously he was muddled. He had looked forward to a delicious half hour If imploring chasing, catching. Tn, stead. he was finding very cool, poised woman, who met his advances with light indifference. |.
 .When we have finished our coffee it would be better for us to go, she sad sI.a Phalene cannot afford late nights' They have a way of dlmmlng one beauty"
 Rrunel's breath came in long gusts. uaS leaned forward so that his fore aims rested on the cloth, brushing Gaide the various table furnishings 7 which were in their way.
 Listen i'' he said, and his voice was little thick, "When you came to me snd said YOU would dance, l said that between me and the people whom l rveatetl there must be complete under ntanding, You rememberF
 The brutal directness of 1t curled her lips, This man had abandoned all pretense, and was coming down to sheer bargaining. A.
 s'I remember little" she said, Sex eept that I am La Phalene, and La Phalene is very tired.
 He looked angry.
 "IIa PhaIene may be tired" he said. sBnt I made La Phalene and she IS mine. Do you understand that, my girl? I made you-and can break you ns easily as I made you. Just that' Remember ityalways.
 They wefe, she reflected, getting perilously near to Quarreilng; Sne wished to win and remain friends with inc enemy. for so a complete victory would be gained. ,
 "Oh. Ia! lap she laughed. "Why become so heated over so small mat ter? My friend, my gratitude IS eter- nhlly yours. should never wish to he anything but your friend. It IS you who would quarrel and desolate me-"
 Her whole attitude was an enigma. He felt himself in deeper water than he knew.
 "OuarreI! Elise-I love you" He was yeering round-swinging from an- Ter to love, under the spell of her words.
 ssThen pity me-" She might have said that sincerely, brokenly, but that she managed to fill her voice with ban fer and her eyes with laughter. "Let ae 70 home to rest and sleep. You must know that dancing is tiring business for those who are 'not used to it."
 He knew his chance was going. He ftrove to retrieve the situation, stetch- Ing his hand across the table and seiz- lng her wrist.
 ssrhat is very we'll" He was a little kreathless again, his words quick and efipped. tgThat is very well. But-one nav be always tired. I have a motto -I! It is just the moment is the kime.' I believe not in evasions and excuses. So-"
 She withdrew her wrist from his grip and interrupted him and once more patted him on the cheek.
 How dreadfully businesslike! I think procrastination is delightful. IOye to put things off and off, and then -perhaps never do them" Once more st,e shocked him. And now let us go. This has been most amusing and en- tertaining, but am sure you must be as tired as I am."
 She stood up. He barred her path IS she moved very confidently round khe table, and his eyes no longer glar- d, but were mild.