Evening star., 1924-05-24

TIME few weeks which elapsed
before Brunei staged his new
revue at the Joyeuse were,
for Elise. filled with swift
events the swiftest her life had ever
forgot the doom which hung over her
head, and the fact that each fieeung
day drew nearer to that goal to
which even the paths of glory lead.
Brunei adhered religiously to the
financial stipulations in the contract.
for he was one of those large men to
whom expense is no object once he
has decided on a thing, and Elise
found herSelf-though it was but the
retaining fee-in receipt of salary
which at one time would have ex-
ceeded her widest dreams.
Within a fortnight she had decided
that Marthe must leave Paris. There
were several reasons contr1 outory to
this decision, and among them were
a desire that Marthe should live
among more congenial surroundings
and fear that Marthe might dis
cover too much were she to stay on
in the capital Indefinitely.
She suggested to Marthe that the
Picardy coast was particularly pleas
ant during the summer time, and
MartAe, tired of the garret, its air
lessness and it's heat, it's drab ding1-
ness and it's atmosphere of despair,
eagerly aSsented to the change, eS-
pecially when Elise was able to ar
range that she should have the com
pany Of the grandmotherly old
woman who had occasionally tended
her and who, being alone in the
world and in straitened circum-
stances. was more than pleased at
the prospect.
So a little cottage was rented out
side one Of the smaller North Coast
resorts and thither Marthe and the
old woman were transported, Elise
experimenting the whole affair, and
aplomb which had come to her so
swiftly after her momentous de-
cisioIl was once taken.
Her practicing and rehearSalS now
went on without interruption. She
was allowed to use the Joyeuse for
invented and staged four, two of
which were to be selected by Brunei
when the great full-dress rehearsal
arrived and her part in the show al
lotted to her.
The rehearsal came at last. 1t was
In an afternoon-for the mornings
were devoted to the production of the
rest Of the revue-and Brunei alone
sat in the stalls and watched her.
while the orchestra played for her
TIE uuSlC tiLc Sdo SohiPoSSi hoi
written in consultation with herself.
Brunei said very little. She had
never before seen him judging per-
formance, and his attitude frightened
her-it seemed so cold and uninter-
ested, condemnatory rather than ap-
proving, destructively critical.
When it was finished he came up
onto the stage.
There are alterations I want" ne
said. Come into my office wnen
you've dressed"
She went He was smiling, and,
with the door closed, he held out botn
hands to her
la PhaIenew he said, gently. ct
salute you!" And kissed both her
hands
She was excited, TREMENDOUSLY so, for
she knew she had at least won his
approval He retained his grip Of her
fingers and drew her toward him.
His face was bent over hers and his
eyes looked into hers.
There are some things we must
discuss" he said, quietly. Things
connected with your dance One Of
the dresses is, in my opinion. wrong
and one of your girls in that valley
dance is not we'll chosen. But for the
rest-the contract stands, and from
now you receive your salary-little
girl"
She tried to smile. though her heart
was humping with fright, for in his
eyes was that look she had seen
when he put his proposal before her,
that hint of the beast, lurking in
their far shadows. This was the hour
when-h was fulflling- his bond Was