Evening star., 1933-01-01
INSTALLMENT XXI.

"%HE little library where Armand
sat toas.ing his toes at glow
ing electric heater and per-
l. using the somewhat dry pages
of LIE Temps, was cozily shabby
with worn leather armchairs and q
practical green-shaded lamp. AS the
door opened he did not look up for a
moment and Alacia was obliged. to
speak.
"DearestI" she said. In a flash he
was on his feet, swinging pair of
long legs across the arm of his chair
and very nicely upsetting the taboret
which held his cigarette.
"Alacia!"
II came as soon as I heard!" she
cried "Oh. my very dear!" The rest
Of her sentence was lost as he took her
in his arms.
M Piron turned out the lights in the
hideous drawing room with great de-
chair in which he had been sitting.
on the exact spot where he had found
it. His housekeeper was most partic-
ular. Then he closed the drawing
room door and stood for moment in
the dim hall, waiting Down its narrow
length came faint perfume, q delicate
scent dearer to his discerning noStrils
than roses or violets-the distracting,
disturbing perfume of a bud of garlic
mingled exquisitely with good butter
on hot frying pan. An inspiration
came to the old man and he made his
way to the kitchen and threw open
the door, entered courageously, and
regarded the broad back of his cook
with a calculating eye. She was ex-
tremely occupied with some savory mess
on top of the high. blue-tiled stove, but
when she found moment to spare him,
the expression on her wide peasant
face was not encouraging.
Monsieur" she inquired coldly.
Madame said her boss timidly,
there will be a fourth for dinner!"
Her hands flew into the air distractedly,
grease scattering from a big wooden
spoon.
Il knew It'll" she exclaimed. 81 had
feeling, premoniton that this would
happen! But it is impossible monsieur,
utterly impossiblel Do you think am
wasteful spendthrift who keeps food
to spare in the cupboard only to give it
to the dogs? There are exactly three
outlets and no more!"
Give me an omelet." said M. Piron,
grimly, willing to sacrifice good deal
in the interests of friendship. Give
me an omelet, one Of your incomparably
admirable omelets, madame, and cut
the chops in half Put water in the
soup! There will positively be four
couverts!"
water in the soupl" she snorted;
"you talk sacrilege: it is potage creme
de tomato st. Benedite! However,
will, with the aid of the saints, accom-
plish some sort of a miracle!R
Every meal you prepare Is mira :
cle!" he answered gallantly as he left
| her, well aware that she was sensible to
the compliment, although she gave no
| sign of having heard it. In the hall
once more M. Piron glanced at his
watch. Only seven minutes had elapsed,
but he could not think of any further
device for wasting time, so he approach
ed the library door and tapped dis
creetly.
"Entrez" called Armand's voice, and
M. Piron went in. Alacia's head was
still on the young mans shoulder, and
she made no attempt to remove 1t.
Piron sighed with satisfaction as he
drew big chai' opposite to the sofa on
which the two were ensconced.
Excuse my not offering you my
place." said the well-brought-up Ar
mand, "but it happens to be one would
not offer to anybody"
"Bien, mes enfantsp said Piron, for
givingly. Il will overlook the discour-