Evening star., 1924-05-28
CHAPTER XIV.
The SuitOrS Fence.

Mordac did not force the issue.
neither did he make any attempt to
introduce the subject, but waited like
a clever fencer for his opening.
They chatted a little while on vari-
Gus topics. and then Mordac said:
II was about to suggest that you
might like supper at the caf de
Paris"
I'm sorry. But I have an engage
ment with Monsieur Brunei"
1t was Mordac's opportunity. "Ah.
Brunei. He will be pleased that one
He has been very kind said Elise.
"And he has helped me tremendously.
Without him never should have done
what I have done
"Noo" Mordac laughed quietly.
THE life of an entrepreneur is a Sc
ries of dreadful reversals of position.
He creates a star. Until the moment
Of her creation she is his, dependent
on him. seeing in him her only nope.
And then-voila, She becomes famous
overnight. and overnight the situation
is reversed. The master becomes the
servant, the servant becomes the mis-
tress. The poor entrepreneur finds
himself kneeling at the feet of her
whom he has made. begging anXiousiy
that she shall turn deaf ears to the
gigantic offers of his rivals, and shall
renew her contract with him-oh
whatever terms she cares TO name
1t is, in effect. like putting a blank
check into the hands of person
whose responsibility is an unknown
quantity. Heinz"
He watched her slyly while he
! spoke. and saw her face change. Al
| first she looked little puzzled. be
wildered: then amazed. He realized
| that his words had sunk in, and thai
| the first little buds of complete un
| derstanding were beginning to ope1
| out into blossom.
| At that moment the door opened
| and Brunei walked into the room.
He and Mordac had always beer
friends. Their mutual possession o
! Lolette had not interfered with thi
| had considered them ever since sh
had known them as allies whom
nothing could separate.
! Yet. as they stared at each other il
| her dressing room. Mordac smilin,
and easy. Brunei stiffened, with a lit
tie scowI knitting his brows, n
/ though he were some great clums.
dog, brindlinG at the neck with rage
she knew that "A rift had opened il
the closeness of their friendship.
rift which time would widen until i
/ Brunei nodded to Mordac and turn
ed to Elise,
| II understand. mademoiselle, that
had given instructions nobody was t
be admitted TO your room. yet"
| Il know, monsieur" Elise was re
membering Mordac's words. But
decided to see monster lie comte.
have met him before"
Again she thrilled. These tive
men were almost quarreling because
of her She was feeling the surge OF
power. that power Lolette welded.
and which she might herself WELD be-
fore all the tale was told.
Bruners mouth tightened. Then he
smiled LAS you will. Only-you
must not allow visitors to upset you.
came to ask if you were ready for
supper"
sIn ten minutes. monsieur"
Brunei went out.
Mordac followed him within a few
minutes, and he was smiling as he
left the theater. The race was not yet
run. Brunei had not yet won. And
the silly girl was becoming like all
her kind, Overwhelmingly vain, full of
confidence in her ability to twist men
to her will, blind to the dangers of
the path she trod.
"Show a woman fire, and she must
play with it," thought Mordac.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Hazard.
Alone, Elise reflected on Brunei and
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 al
ways be sorry and half afraid.
Both of them, she knew, were en-
tirely unscrupulous. where women
were concerned; but Brunei had been