The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-05
One Year To Live
sy IoNM HUNTER

II NO X GU H sy IoMN Copyright. 1924. in United states and Cam ada by North American Newspaper AL England
 SYNOPSIS
 Tom Kepdrick, a young American of whom she has dreamed since she met him in the days of her poverty, has re- turned to Paris and sought out Elise Duchanier. When he knew her she was maid to Lolette, the celebrated dancer. Now, because Lolette's jealousy has mis- carried, Elise is La Phalene, whose fame as dancer outshines that of her former mistress.
 Dr, Lapierre, who loves Elise, has warned her she has one year to live. Elise, sole support of an invalid sister, has sought security in the number of her suitors, playing one against the other. They include Count Mordac and her manager, Maurice Brunei. Also Ahmed, Arab prince, and DonGtelli, who because of her fought duel of dice and poison. Ahmed lost. Kendrick found Elise at the duelling ground whither she had gone in a vain effort to stop the strange contest. Elise tells Brunei she must rest and break her contract with him. She goes to Monte Carlo. Brunei, Mordac and Lolette follow. Kendrick, whose offer of love she has resisted for his sake, appears there also. And Dr. Lapierre.
 CHAPTER 5s-THE DANGER >.. AZ POINT
 UNHE days drifted by, as though all life was a quiet floating down a
 A sunlit stream, and with the pass ing of each twenty-four hours Elise became conscious of an increasing ten sion among those immediately surround ing her.
 She had not again seen the man she thought was Lapierre, but Lapierre himself had seen her with Kendrick, confirmed the fact that she loved Ken drick, and tasted the bitterness of this confirmation. | The Italian count was gone and the young American, the latter without seeing Brunel's famous castle in the Basses Pyrenees. The Argentine es- tancero was trekking north to London. The Austrian grand duke was talking of Naples. The stage was clearing. Only the principal actors were left.
 Lolette, in fit of anger, one evening, when alone with Mordac, reminded him of his lie. to her on the eve of his departure for Monte Carlo.
 He tried to laugh carelessly, but failed. "Oh, that was just a joke. It was perhaps, foolish, but"
 She broke in, snarling. 'Cochon {! You think you can lie to me! knew you were lying" She began to curse him. When she stopped her breath he said quietly:
 Now we will talk sense. You and were good friends-once. There is no reason why we should not continue t, be- good friends. Also, there is no reason in the world why you should imagine you have any personal claim upon me-"
 | Her breast was yet heaving with the tumult of her anger. Her red lips twisted in ugly fashion.
 Fair Personal claim on you! I want no claim. I want nothing of you. Only"-her finger was flung towards him-"there shall be none other while am alive and''-her voice dropped while you live. Remember that, too. While you live!"
 He was perturbed, and would have questioned her, but she rushed from the room.
 He had nobody to whom he could turn now, for Brunei was hostile to him. The two seemed to draw farther apart each time they were together in the company of Elise. The only thing they had in common-apart from their desire for her-was a hatred of Ken drick.
 yBruneFs patience was at last ex- hausted. MOrdac was talking to him of his castle in the Pyrenees. That visit never materialiEed," he said.
 Brunei shook his head. "No, but shall go there one day"
 Suddenly Mordac realized that Bru- mel was contemplating carrying La Pha- lene off to shat place where he was king-away from help and the world.
 CHAPTER 50-THE TRAP
 It was on fine night of stars, such q night as that on which Elise dined first at MOrdac's little villa above Beausoleil, that Mordac struck. He ar- ranged it cleverly. A few adroit lies, and Lolette and Brunei went to the Casino to play. Ostensibly, Mordac was to call for Kendrick, and they were to go together for Elise.
 They had not long gone when Elise received telephone message at the Paris from Mordac. Kendrick was up at his villa with the others. There was a little change of plan. Would she run up at once in the car? She readily agreed to do so.
 She was shown into a quiet room looking towards the hiIls--a room not too big, furnished sparsely and with taste. It was a room which, when the heavy door was closed on it, seemed isolated and shut off from the world. Mordac came across to meet her as she entered.
 "I am sorry to have given you this trouble" he said. But circumstances have driven me to it. Win you sit downI"
 She seated herself. suddenly alive with leaping fear. The house was SO silent. The man who admitted her was, she knew, Mordac's confidential ser. want, fellow answering in his loy- alty to his master.
 <"Where are the others?"
 Mordac said: "They are down at the Casino-waiting for us."
 She stood up. q shall go down to them"
 T would suggest that we had a little talk first-Eou and I. For long you
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