A Star for a Night

and you will find a speck called French Lick Springs. Hidden away in the hills, so remote from the centers of civilization that only wealthy inebriates and chronic invalids can

tle town almost every day from the big and distant cities in order to "get washed out" after too much indulgence in alcoholic stimulants, there are others who go to the Springs sim

ial House in Joplin, Missouri, may wonder how such a tiny town supports such a gigantic hotel, but the rural spectators at the railroad station, who have seen the trains on the little branch road bring in Pullman after Pullman loaded to the roofs, know that no small part of th

th Street but knew that "Marky" was always a friend in need and a friend indeed. The waiters at Rector's treated him almost as if he were an equal. He was always sure of a prominent table at the Café de l'Opera, whether he wore evening clothes or not. He was accustomed to attention, and demanded it. Furthermore, he was willing to pay for all the attention he received. Forty-two years old, with a blond German personality which manifested itself in a slightly

heimer (Jose

had devised a scheme for entertainment during his enforced vacation at the Springs, said entertainment comprising a visit and the companionship at golf of one Miss Flossie Forsythe, of the "Follies" company, who had hurriedly left the company in Chicago to accept

on was the discovery, as he entered the sun parl

e glass-enclosed front were four other equally stout ladies, lolling back in equally comfortable chairs, some reading, some dozing. Mr. Zinsheimer, who had

, a somnolent and rotund lady in one of the rockers started up furiously as another whiff drifted in her direction. A page-boy entering at this

id the boy, "smoking

sheimer

k permission,

ines, glowered at the placid Zinsheimer and the

s no smoking here,"

ularly large whiff of smoke in t

emarked. "There is smokin

gainst the

arky" carelessly, moving toward the checker-ta

r game that they did not notice him at first, so

ose move

the two players, indignantly rising t

oor the twain paused and called to the other occupant of

d toward the irate checker-player

" she declared, stopping

leather case. He was answered only by a snort of indignation, and the next moment the smiling and courteous

nizable but vivid perfume, the rustle of silken skirts, a cry of glad surprise, and Miss Flossie Forsythe, engaging, attractive, y

or you everywhere! Who ever would have t

imer cough

ou see," he added, "I noticed you talking to that s

ly, in spite of "Marky's" effort

, you were

sheimer

ou'd better be careful I don't get cold feet first. Feather importer

"I was introduced to him one night when he sat at

one of them origin

d when I was just going to

at with an ominous air, while, relieved of his ballast, Flossie a

ht for me to pay the hotel bill of my fiancée, but as the bill is assuming gen

was just a slight suspicion of a twitch around the lip

want to borro

his coat easily, sighed with

, my dear. What

from Mr. Zinsheimer's coat-sleeve. "We were out together two years ago with 'The Girl fro

insheimer, quickly. "Rather

And I never heard any one call her beautiful. Anyhow, the show she's with has gone on

to send her some

here at once. She's due this afternoon, and I can share my room with h

atched his hea

you has any mone

will be on velvet," retorted Flossie, haughtil

een going on for five years and I never found out yet what

ts of her lawsuit was fortunately terminated by the sudden

g it open. "It's from Pinkie and she'll be here on the 3:30 train

ded the boy, moving

astily. Then, taking "Marky" by the coat lapels, sh

to the manager

peal was direct and to the point. He coughed twice

speak to the manager, Flossie,

ted along the veranda toward the waiting carriage, while "Marky" tried to get interested in the New York papers and figure the total of seventeen days at five dollars a