Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-31

the manager of an American bank In
Paris to one of his subordinateS.
young blade with social connections,
who happened 10 be in Biarritz on Il
vacation.
Please call on Mrs. ID. q. Osborne
aud Miss Osborne of Malachi. Ohio.
at the Hotel du PalaiS, and see that
they have suitable introductions. This
IS their first trip abroad. and they
have no friends in that vicinity. Their
accounts are important | will greatly
appreciate any courtesy YOU may
show these valuable clients"
The subordinate. Minot. was an
noyed. Even SO. he dragged himself
TO the Palais and presented his crs-
dentials. To his relief Mrs. D. G.
Osborne wasn't in the least redolent
Of Malachi, Ohio. but as soon as he
saw the daughter he forgot both tht
mother and the bank.
They kept him for tea and he in
vited them 10 dine al the Chateau
Basque the following evening. They
ran INTO 4 party of the right people.
and. with Minot serving as the
Ayphen, Joined 1t before the dancing
began.
Miss Osborne drew plenty Of atten-
ton, but there was one man in par
ticular who seemed hardly able to
remove his gaze from her. Inevitably
she was aware of this. but since he
had by far the most pungent person
aitty in the entire group she wasn't
mortally injured by 1t. He was tall
and lean and leathery; his eyes We're
black and keenly discerning; his hair
was black: his chin was square, with
n noticeable cleft in It, He smiled
easily. but said little and then in
an unusually soft voice. His attitude
was so relaxed that it was almost
lounging, and Yet it suggested mus
cular repoSe and nerve control rather
than Sluggishness.
Miss Osborne promptly demanded
report upon this striking indi
vidual.
'Who-Pelham Colcord?" said Mi
not. why. | don't know him so
awfully we'll. and so does everybody
else. They call him the professional
spectator. All he does is to watch
life's battle from the side lines. You
wouldn't suspect it, would YOU? He
was a lawyer out West somewhere"
In the meantime Colcord was con-
ferring with Mrs. Osborne.
80 you're from Ohio. Mrs. Os-
borne"
Yes. from Malachi It's a charm
ing old village. perhaps an hours
drive from Cleveland"
I'm sorry to say l don't know that
region at all. Has it always been
your home"
NO" said the stately lady. Il
bought the property only about a
year ago. Before that We We're in
Chicago. But Dorothy and | agreed
that we wanted a permanent resi-
deuce in the country, and Malachi is
perfect. We motor into town for oc-
cas!ons, or shopping. and apart from
that we are quite contented on our
own little estate"
From her description il was evident
that the Osbornes dwelt in manerial
style, AMI that Mrs. Osborne herself
was one who scorned the vulgar herd.
Folcord wondered if the enticinS
daughter shared her mothers intol-
erance.
He continued to parley with Mrs.
Osborne until II o'clock, when he sat
out-or rather Strolled out-a waltz
with heT daughter Dorothy.
NOV Miss Osborne. Notwithstanding
the bulletin she had had from
Minot was still incredulous; and when
Colcord succeeded in persuading her
that he really didn't dance she was
still convinced that his conversation
would be epic. But to her complete
establishment he conducted himself
of law.
@. Have you been in BiarTitZ long.
Mr.. Colcord? When did you come?
A. May.
O. Oh il must have been marvellous
here in the Spring, Have you a villa.
Mr.. Colcord? Or are you in hotel?
A. An apartment The Elephants
Nest.
G. oh, The Elephants Nest. And
YOUR familV'S here with VoOp
a. | haven't any.
.. Oh. Well. we only got here yes
terday. but from what I've seen Of it.
it's too utterly enchanting. Don't you
find it sos
A. Not bad.
.. Oh. don't be SO bIase. With the
best society In Europe and every pos
sible thing In the world to do-and
oh. by the way, Mr.. Colcord, I've
heard the most amazing thing about
YOU, and I simply won't believe it.
III believe you don't dance-althouGh
I've got to admit it was IA frightful
tax on my bellevabiity-but what do
YOU do" What's your specially?
\. Nothing.
Q. No. truly, Men like you don't
come all the way to Biarritz just for
the sake of riding the choo-choo cars
Are you here fer golf or the polo or
the bathing or what"
A. Nothing.
q. You don't do anything? No
sports whatsoever
A. None whatsoever.
O. tHelplesSly) Don't you even talk :?
Colcord stared at her blankly. why,
Miss Osborne he said. "Why-I'm
afraid ! Ihust have been wool.gather-
ing
I'm afraid so, too" she said sweet
" as she vecred toward the chateau.
But ] suppose We ought to be going
anyhow. This is Mr.. Minot's dance
that's coming"
The steps were only few yards
distant. "Oh. my cats aunt he said
ruefuliy. What have l done-gOne
and offended you right at the COM
menrement? Without even commenc-
ing?"
This was the precise effect that she
had counted upon. 1t would bring him
TO her later with the positive oeliga-
tion to open and sustain the dialogue.
And men are rarely so confidential as
when they have just finished apologize.
ing.
In the doorway she delayed for an
instant But an ordinary saline So
luton" she said wickedly. IF used as
u gargle three times a day. is very
beneficial to the vocal cords. Won't
YOU please try it, Mr.. Colcord, be.
fore we meet AGAIN." Then she su.
gated the pill. Because I'm sure we
are going TO meet again-arent we?
x !: x
THE next time that he saw the Os-
bornes was on the Grand PLACE.
at the fashionable bathing hour. The
Osbornes today were merely onlook-
ers: they asked him to sit with them.
Well said Miss Osborne kindly
have you tried the saline solution
vet Mr. COlCOrd?"