The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1937-06-11

More like quaint story OF KIllghlhoOo
she thought, looking at the arched walls
of the lovely old medieval chateau and
at her bag with the soft evening wrap
thrown over 1t beside the window
she had never dreamed when she won
q trip to Europe as first prize In a con-
test that anything like this could come
OF it. And it wouldn't have except that
the first day at the Louvre she'd met
Contesse de Leusse--who was really
Marion Courtney, of America, and who
was homesick and glad to see another
American girl.
So June had become the house guest
OF Comtesse de Leusse--that was allow
able on her "trip as long as the company
which sent her didn't have to pay for
stop-oyers.
And meeting Henri had been---tlle
nerest coincidence. he always declared.
It was true he certainly hadn't been at
that first elaborate party when Marion
had persuaded June to wear de Leusse
necklace which had made her feel guiltily
more than ever like Cinderella.
= Henri had come the day after the
party. Just happened by. he said Had
alwa. been interested In the dc Leusse
chateau knowing 1t was one Of the old
est In France. And he'd stopped In. to
learn--if the de Leusse family didn't
mind--more about it. And June had
been there
The Contesse had recognized Henri's
family name -Ecomard-and had intro
duced him enthusiastically. The Eco
mards were, she told juno later, Of the
oldest ariStocracy, but SO exclusive one
rarely saw them. She invited Henri to
the next party. And he had come.
That had been only week ago. Seven
nights. And every night but one she had
seen Henri. Remembering, JOY danced In
Junes heart, lit candles in her blue, blue
eyes, twinkled on her lovely mouth and
gave radiance to the flushed beauty OF
her face.
CEVEN minutes more, now, and she'd
~ be III Henris arms. The thought Of
it lifted her almost ont OF herself. She
remembered his earesses. his quick, not
kisses, the swift approval with which his
handsome dark eyes appraised her To
think he could ever care for her-June
Harrington, whose mother ran board.
ing house IN Marysdalel
She hadn't ever mentioned the board
ing house to him. Shed intended to, all
along, but
Only five minutes more by the little
jewel-incrusted watch Uncle Steve had
given her before she LETT Marysdale The
moon had risen, was casting an unreal
glamour about the chateau.
In the dim light of her boudoir June
looked herself oyer--a simple white silk
gown like an inverted lily, an orchid from
Henri's last bouquet--could that starry
eyed, exquisite creature wearing dress
and orchid really be herself2
Two minutes now And maybe Henri
would be early--impatient like herself,
he might be coming, the romantic lover
Of their own lovely romance.
"Oh, thank you, Life! Thank you.
thank you, Cupid she whispered fer
vently, eagerly, her impatient slim feet
dancing TO the wide old easement.
1t was silly, their clipping, She giggled.
thinking about it. Loving Henri for being
so utterly silly. From whom were they
eloping- friendly Marion who thought
they were the "best-looking couple she
ever saw? Marion's husband, Comte de
Ieusse, who was older and busy with
politics and had never even seen Henri2
Ridiculous! They were clipping because
climbing from medieval chateau on a
nloonlit midnight into the strong arms
of an ardent, dark-haired lover had been
June's idea of perfect romance from
the moment Henri had suggested it.
Her watch pointed to the hour Anxi-
ously she thrust her head from the vim
dow and peered down below into the
shadowy grounds. That old moat Mar
ion had laughed SO much about looked
dark enough now and forbidding But
here on this side the chateau was hathed
with soft moonlight and even as she
looked Jllne's heart leaped with happi-
ness. Henril Coming from out the
shadows.
But there was something unfamiliar
about him. It--her eyes widened--it
WASH y 1iCil114 @tI A90b 3A114A4s ~ Wcs
shorter man, crouching as he slowly
moved close to the wall Of the chateau
lie was moving like cat about to spring
upon mouse She leaned farther out
And there was the "mouseni Another
dark figure down in the lilacs. That
wasn't Henri, either. And the mouse
hadn't seen the cat. He was looking
through a window. She couldn't tel
what window o. what he saw through it
She vas glad her room was on the Sec
and floor. II they ever looked up, she
would be able to discern their features.
GUpDENLy from the shadows she saw
~ third man approaching warily, {
gun cleaning Ia his hand. Neither 0.
the other two saw him. He moved towars
them cautiously. He---
He was Henri Henril June pressed {
slender hand against her mouth to hols
back the exclamation.
~Oh, Henri, darling, what are yo,
doing2" she whispered to her own unrul,
heart and with clenched hands muir
INJURED, He mustn't get hurtl Nothini
must hurt Henri" And over and owe
the word echoed within her. Henri
Henri The most wonderful name sh