Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-08

committed to anything before a word about
marriage had been spoken by any one. She
had no suspicion that by the Trianchet family
she was considered ripe fruit dangling within
their reach; that when the marquis left Paris
for two days he had run down to Touraine to
talk the matter over with his great-uncle,
Achille, who, since the death of the old mar
quiS, had acquired a sort of leadership of the
clan. Then one day RcSamund Shannon
OKeefe came into her life. Corinna liked to
walk down the Champs Elysces in the bright
morning sunlight among the children and the
nursemaids in caps and the old women selling
balloons. This morning she had gone hardly
more than q block when she heard her name,
and, turning, she found herself face to face
with tall, simply dressed woman; loops Of
magnificent red hair billowed out below her
small dark hat, her face was handsome in
rugged, hollow-cheeked sort of way, and her
eyes magnificent, dark blue Irish eyes.
HMY name is OKeefe, Miss Daner," she said
with that slight roll to the final IT" which is
50 agreeable when done by the French or Irish
and % unattractive when done by Lancashire
and some part of the United States. Maybe
you've never heard of me-"
s''Oh, yes, I have" said Corinna at once. The
last day she had ten luncheon with De
Trianchet in his apartment she had noticed
that the walls of his study were hung with
excellent oil portraits of his horse. Converse
but the second time she asked she had learned
the name was OKeefe.
Shall we sit down a minute?" said Miss
OKeefe. At want to talk to you"
Corinna did not like the girls manner, and
yet could think of no reason for refusing.
"rn not keep you long but have something
to tell you maybe you don't know There was
= pause. and then she added: There's an idea
about that you and Leon de Trianchet viii be
married soon."
Indeed" said Corinna haughtily
Indeed and indeed" answered Miss OKeefe
But can tell you that you never win be-"
Corinna looked squarey into the girls blaz-
ing eyes. And how do you know that?''
Because" replied Miss OKeefe without rails
ing her voice. It would kill you When I FIRST
heard Of all this thought ! would kill my
SELF but then thought how much better to
kiln you"
Corinna was perhaps more excited than
alarmed, and certainly anger predominated. It
seemed to her there was q great impertinence
in stopping stranger and threatening to kill
her il she went about her own business.
The way her anger expressed itself was to
make her laugh. And do you think the affec-
ton Of Monsieur de Trianchet would be espe-
cfalfy riveted to murderess?" she asked.
Yes" replied Miss O'Keefe. IT think so.
Also I see you don't know much about the
French character
Possibly not" said Comma But wouldn't
you be afraid that your love life might be cut
short by guillotine?"
"Of course, I'm afraid of it, but there's a
chance-theres a chance with q French court
and . good lawyer, and what chance is there
for me you marry him? Are YOU going to
marry hm?" She caught at Corinnas arm.
Corinna shook off the girls hand. If YOU
hadn't threatened my life, / might have an
Swered you civilly,' she said. "As it is, really
can't discuss the question with you at all" and
she began to walk down the shaded alley Of
trees.
Raising her voice, Miss OKeefe followed.
SYou shall tell mel" she cried.
Children stopped rolling hoops and stared.
Observing the excitement, a gendaTme APP
= preached rather with curiosity than with any
intention to interference. A young student
looked up and remarked to the world at large
that, whoever he was. the monsieur IN dispute
was probably not worth the troubles ices DANES"
were giving themselves.
Corinna said to herself, Shall I away
and have them all pursue me- or shall stay
and find myself the center of a crowd?"
"Oh, tell me the truth pleaded Miss O'Keefe
and now tears were running down her cheeks.
Tell me yes or no. Put me out Of this agony
Of not knowing. I cannot go through another
day"
BE quiet" said Corinna You're collecting
. crowd"
But Miss O'Keefe paid not the least attention
30 the gathering circle. Corinna who began to
fear that some one she know might happen
along the Champs Elysees at any moment saw
that there was only one way to cut the knot
NO" she said hastily. I'm not going to
marry him. He hasn't asked me. But if he did
I wouldn't I'm engaged TO a man at home, and
I'm going home to marry him as soon"
She did not finish the sentence, for she found
herself ciasped in Miss O'Keefe's embrace.
"Ah, hal" said the student "A Ia bonnie
heuse!"
"Ah. hal" said the gendarme. 1T arranges
ttSeIf!'
"Ah. hal" said the toothless old bonnie with
cap ribbons. Il don't envy ce monsieur, now
that the ladies' are of nna mind