The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-16
CHAPTER as-HAZARD


Mordac, and, with the reflection, felt
some regret and uneasiness. She was
not built for this game, and though on
occasion she felt its lure, yet when
viewing it in retrospect she must always.
be sorry and half afraid.
Both Of them, she knew, were entirely
INSCRIPTIONS where women were con-
cerned; but Brunei had been so kind
to her, and had helped her so much,
that her natural gratitude towards him
Overcame part of her distrust of him.
She prepared for supper, and in a
little while Joined Brunei
Where are we going" she asked, as
they settled back in the lighted interior
of the car.
The Cafe Grotesque," smiled Bru-
mel.
Elise knew the Cafe Grotesque. 1t
was at once the most famous and most
notorious Of all the Montmartre night
restaurants. 1t was built just behind
the Boulevard de Clichy, and the flare
of its exterior lighting could be seen
above the houses many streets away.
Greatly patronized by English and
American visitors to Paris, it was not
truly French, but representative entire
ly of that aspect of France which is
presented so unfailingly to foreigners.
Elise wondered little at Brunei Sc
lecting it for supper, when he could have
taken her to the Cafe de Paris, Pail
lard's, or the Cafe de la PAX, and it
was not until she arrived that she un>
derstood and became afraid.
Brunei had booked a private room.
They were shown through a long CORR
dor beside the main restaurant, and
conducted into a room at the back, A
little room, furnished heavily, without
window. An electrolier, pendent from
the ceiling, was not alight, but on the
oval table in the middle of the floor
cleaned two little table lamps, their
| light dimmed to orange by silken shades.
The old Elise would have retreated
at sight of this room. but the new Elise,
the Elise Brunei had created, the Elise
born in the knowledge of impending
death, faced it quietly. She betrayed
no agitation, no fear, no surprise, but
went in and seated herself in the chair
the obsequious waiter drew forward for
her. This, she knew, was the first skir-
mish in the battle which now was rap
idly joining, and which must last until
her fate claimed her.
The supper was delicious, chosen BY
wines were right, the coffee was de-
liciOus, and the linqueurs, in accord with
the rest.
Elise drank sparingly, refusing IL.
queurs, while Brunei had his glass lib.
orally filled. 1t was finished at last.
BrunePs cigarette was ahght, and the
waiter had definitely withdrawn. Elise
was conscious of growing tension in
the atmosphere, a tension increased By.
the dim light, the quietness, the low
conversation.
Brunei indicated the wall at the far.
end. This house is very DID," he
said. you see that picture? 1t is BY
the great lie Brun, the master of them
ALL" ~
Elise was interested, for the name
of lie Brun excited her imagination.
When Brunei suggested they should
look at the picture, she assented read
lis. She stood up, and he came round
to her side of the table, putting out
his hands as she turned toward the
picture, and clutching her shoulders.
Elise " he said quietly. ELISE %
She stood STILL looking into his
slightly flushed face, his eager eyes
alight, and knew she had come to the
first ordeal.