Evening star., 1933-01-16
81 psREE5 : 2 + EE5zE y.
by NINA WILCOX PUTNAM
by NINA WILCOX PUTNAM.

TO a stop the door Of the compartment
was flung open to admit three men-a
large bearded gentleman, a gendarme
and young man in the costume Of a
racing driver. to whom the first man
turned for Identification.
"Is that our pigeon?" he questioned.
Eyes? thought sol" Then the bearded
man laid his hand on the shoulder of
the gallant young traveller whose deb
OMAR manner had vanished utterly.
'I want you, Santini," said Jessant,
prefet de police Of Paris. "On charge
Of murderl"
Without even a backward g1ance at
the hystertcal woman who stared after
him through the shattered remains OF
vanity. the young man followed his
captors, and as they descended the
station platform, 6anttni asked per-
mission TO light Cigarette. and turned
to Armand.
"Did you make IL IN ne xsxopas" he
asked casually. You're nos o bad
driver. De Pas. bat then, cf course, IT'S
marvellous carl"
A year later there were psNArAkfons
for wedding going On In the pent-
house atop the Wolsey Arms, New
York's newest, snartest apartment
building. The drawing room overlook
ing the miniature traffic on the East
River far below, had been decorated
with white. hlacs. And the terrace
beyond, onto which the long French
windows had been left open to admit
the Spring breeze, had ben converted
into an arbor OF green under which
little tables were set IN neat array
awaiting the arrival Of the guests. Over
the entire luxurious suite there hung
that atmosphere Of subdued excitement.
OF last minute detail common to such
occasions. The rooms were full Of
flowers and sunshine and the comings
and goings OF solicitous servants, each
bent on adding some touch Of perfec-
ton to an already perfect setting.
Only one room was quiet and urdis-
turbed from its usual simple oEder.
This was the library, @ fine panelled
apartment with restful dark furnishings,
and here Armand de Pas was striding
up and down IN nervous anxiety. His
clothes were the formal habiliments
proper to the occasion and a discreet
white flower garnished his buttonhole.
but he seemed distracted, uneasy, and
every now and then he glanced at the
telephone on the desk as though about
to pick it up, thought the better of It,
ana continued his pacing, gianciny now
and then at the clock.
II wish to heavens it was over withIS
he said aloud. THE suspense is nerve
rackingl Nom dun ehien I hope
it goes off all right, without any
mistakes!"
Presently there were sounds In tho
outer hall as of guests arriving. He
could hear their chatter and laughter,
their exclamations of delight over the
decorations, especially the big bell OF
white orchids under which In a few
minutes he wiped few beads OF
perspiration from his brow and looked
at the clock again. 1t must have run
down, he thought, It moved SO slowlyl
Surely more than minutes had passed
since he looked at 1t lastI Would they
never come for him? He hated this
tnaction, this being left alone like q
cooped-up goose for the foie-grasl No
body seemed to think Of him at all,
or Of his feelings at this time. No!
They were all fussing over the bride;
weeping over her, perhaps, as If she
were facing a hardship Well, that
was only natural, he supposed. Women
were that way. STILL they might show
that they at least thought Of him.
After all it was a big day for him, tool
But the clock slipped around another
quarter OF an hour without anybody
having come near him. His impatience
and nervousness increased visibly and
he compared his watch to the clock
over the mantel and shook his head
worriedly. The next room was packed
with guests by now and the babble Of
their voices pentrated the walls and
seemed to suffocate him. Well, they
would have to wait. ne decided. Brides
were always late. 1t was their i'm
memorial custom based on an assump-
ton OF modesty, likely as notI In any
event there was nothing to do but bear
1t as best one could. Yet time was
certainly slipping by and the suspense
was awful.
Then at last came the sound of foot
steps from the end Of the hall farthest
from the drawing room. They paused
at the library door and he saw the
handle turn. The door opened and In
pale blue satin which became her so
well. and her face was alight with
pleasure and satisfaction. She came
directly to him and slipped a hand
through his arm.
Come on, darlingl" she said. Mother
is ready at last and she looks perfectly
awayl"
Well, it's about time!" said her
husband a trifle testify. "You know
I've got meeting with those people
from Chicago at $3.50 to close that deal,
and I can't help it II they won't waltz
But nevertheless he followed his wife
meekly down the hall to where Kate
Sayers was waiting in all her finery.
offered her his arm with a smile. and
as the orchestra. on q frantic signal.
struck up the wedding march. led her
solemniy to where, under the bell Of
white orchids. Col. Bradley was xhitine
ct the improvised altar