Evening star., 1932-12-17

got your note too late and didn't wait "
II waited an hour" he said. land
then thought perhaps you were letting
me out"
DON'T" she said. "As soon as ]
knew. flew to the corner. Please be-
lieve me-"
You see now," he said, his eyes still
on hers. why was upset when found
out who you were This is not bad
job. though" he added, grinning. IN
/ is beginning for a poverty-stricker
chap who must become a big business
man la Francaise. Only, of course
the decent thing is for me never to see
you again, and all that sort Of rot"
tea this afternoon, or don't you get of
in time?"
I'VE close at g."
Il never take tea until g." she said
If you're not in front of Fouquets' up
town place at $50 the gendarmes will
be gathering around my dead body
He leaned toward her, perilously near
do you mean it?"
You know I dol" said Alacia, with
long sigh. Then the fat. solicitous
voice of NJ. Geome, the assistant man.
ager, broke in with an oily inquiry.
Are you finding what you wanted,
Mile Sayers?" he asked and Alacia
recalled the pearl necklace with a
start. 1t was still in her right hand
and, with an awkward smile. she
handed it to Armand and waited
worolessly while De Pas made a little
package of her trinket and accepted
her thousand franc note, all in the
YVES nothing for it but to nod to him
politely with brief "Merci, Monsieur. VI
and allow herself to be escorted to the
door by the solicitous M. Geome. While
Armand, after following her a few feet,
suddenly realized what he was doing
and, wheeling abruptly made dive Tor
the smoking room.
The news Of any offense to an I'M
portant client spreads like wildf1re
through such an establishment and
had reached the ears of old M. Piron
five minutes after Alacia made her
complaint Of the Argentine's manner.
1t was true that Alacia herself had
not visited the shop for several months,
but Mrs Sayers was frequent visitor
Moreover, M. Piron had q personal ac-
quaintance with the Sayers and the
dignified, kindly old gentleman had de-
veloped keen admiration for Alacla as
well as wholesome respect for the
business acument of her mother. So
when he heard that the girl was on
the premises he emerged from his pri-
vate office and greeted her just as she
reached the exit M. Geome retired
to a respectful distance and M. Piron
took Alacia warmly by both hands.
my dear child!" he exclaimed, you
look as blooming as the roses OF my
beloved Picardy!"
II am happy, that's why, dear M
Piron!" Alacia answered, laughing.
Paris is SO beautiful, so gay. Today
I feel as If it was the only place TO
live!"
her approvingly. Il had heard you
were cross about something
mo, mol" she protested. 1t was
nothing, was stupid and you know 1
speak so little French"
"But Young De Pas" said M. Piron.
"he was satisfactory, he looked well
after you?"
ayes, indeed" she replied, feeling a
little queer at speaking Of Armand In
this impersonal fashion. Then she
hesitated. He seemed unusually nice
to be-a clerk"
"And he isl" said M. Piron, heartily.
"My dear, that Armand, he Is like my
son. I am at once distressed and happy
that he is here with me. but there is
SO little work for young men IN France
today! Could I deny him? Hardly !
His mother is my oldest, dearest friend.
But he should be doing more important
things" Alacia glanced over her shoul-
der to make sure she would not De
overheard and moved little nearer.
M Piron," she said quietly, Il know
who he is" The old man gave her q
quick look from under his shaggy
white brows and frowned slightly.
Then keep that knowledge to your
self, dear mademoiSelle!" he said q
trife sharply His path Is difficult
enough without the others here know
ing too much. He is, may tell you,
q very brave and determined young
man. A type utterly unquenchable.
II understand that" she almost whis-
pered, "he considers 1t more important
to be a man than to be. perhaps. a
king"
Another time. another time" M.
Piron insisted hastily.
"You haven't been to our home for q
long while, monsieur!" she said pointed
ly. M. Piron laughed, as though at q
nnischievouS child.
"You are most pressing, dear little
Alacia," he declared. well, shall
come. Truth to tell, your gracious