Evening star., 1932-12-26
uNSEaJEafE%T xy


A IACIA pushed Ter way through
n the crowd of servants that
II had flocked into the hall at
1 \ sound of the screaming voice,
and found herself face to face
with a strange young woman whom
Jean was trying to prevent from enter
ing the house
sWhat dec she want" Alacia de-
manded.
she insists upon seeing madamc!"
paspsd the big Breton. And when 1
told her madame was not in. she called
me liar and started all this upToar.
Bring her inside and shut the door,.
Alacia ordered, or we'll have the police
on our hands," Then, when her com-
mand had been Cbeycd, size turned to
the white-faced girl who was silent now
but still trembling from her viol2Et out
burst.
What is it you WANT" Alacia de-
manded severely. The girl gave ter
sUllen glance and indicated the servants
with a gesture of her head.
L had TO make Them let me in" she
said hoarseiy Il had to Are you
his sweetheart" Size added with ap-
parant irrelevance.
1t was an awkward sort of question,
Alacia thought quickly. Whose sweet
teart did the girl mean, and what did
she want, anyhow? Her dress was
taWdry and she Smalled abominably Of
cheap perfume, but she was both pretty
and young.
Perhaps YOU had better see me alone
for moment" said Alacia in her in
different French. There must be
something important on your mind"
rs madomoisella wise to allow her?"
Jean intervened, respectful but wary,
since the girls nails had left nasty
mark on his cheek.
I'll chance it, said Alacia. briefly;
II can always ring if I need you"
Then she led the way into the small
drawing room beckoaing the girl to
follow, and closing the door behind
them. Max, the poodle. instantly elect
ing himself guardian Of his ncW mis-
tress, growled menacingly and was Or
dered into corner from which he
watched nlistrustfully.
Dent be afraid" Alacia said to the
girl. NO one is going to DO you any
harm if you behave yourself. Nov sit
down and tell me what you came for.
The newcomer looked at her in awe as
she obediently sat On the edge OF a
chair. and then, to Alacia's complete
discontinue, suddenly burst into food
of tears
FlCdSG! CIleu hldCtd. DOu UU
that. please! Tell me. who are you?'
I am called VictoTine,' the visitor
said; that. suppose, means nothing
to you?" Alacia shock her head.
Il have never heard Of you" she de-
clared. Fer visitor accepted this with
an eloquent gesture
1t is you he lowest" Victorine then
announced, n,iserably. And now that
I've seen YOU I can't blame him! You
are beautiful, and young and you have
everything. Even innocence, perhaps!
Yet from the way he has spo,;en of you
al times. 1 thought you were jysc an
other rich Old woman he was making
fool off,
Relief and fear swept Alacia in a
wave of mixed emotion. Certainly it
was rot Armand of whom this girl was
jealous! But eliminating him. only
one other Interpretation OF her visit
opened, and that was too repugnant to
consider. Perhaps. after all. the girl
had made a mistake and come to the
wrong house
II don't think any friend Of yours is
in love with mc!' Alacia said. gently.
And I honestly bclicve you have con-
fused ne with some cltirclV different
person" The gil raised 4 tc1r-s,ained
face. flash of her former anger glcam-
ing in her black eyes.
Don't tell me he doesn't come here"