Little Nobody

fore he stumbled up against a man coming from an opposite direction. Both being tall and

ment there was

erre Carmontelle. "Why, man, what the deuce ails you, to

mont

ault. Where were your eyes, mon ami, that you run up against a f

ughed at his frien

. "And I came away in a brown study, which accounts for

es

ttle laugh followed it. Then the big, handsome Louisi

confidant of you. Let us go and sit d

and puffing away at t

was going to Madame Lorraine's, and I found myself thinking soberly, seriously about the beaut

t answered, wit

immortal soul, has been made a puppet by that charming, heartless woman. Would you believe it, the girl has never been given even the rudiments of an education? She is ignorant as a little savage, with not even a

by some sudden inward light. He

ally preach. Van Zandt, am I getting good, do you thi

t Van Zandt took the cigar from betw

e, deci

rbl

re was a moment's silence. Carmont

are right, mon ami. I could not get the child out of my head last night. I never noticed how pretty she was be

en, without preamble, he blurted out

ds and flashing eyes, the veins standi

ed him well out of the club. Now he shall be lashed from the door, the double-dyed scoundrel! And she, the dece

iver her from her peril? Every passing moment brings her doom ne

ing her away 'over the garden wall,'" rep

ell; bu

and repeated, in

ex

n Zandt

r away? Where shall we find her a refuge and hidi

brought her away without thinking of the future. But you are right. It is a qu

ed at each other, in the s

ndt said, q

m you could place her? I am not rich, but I cou

; nothing but oceans of money, so you may keep yours. I'll spe

n, right away?" Van Zandt went on

s out, finished, I'll marry her,

have you,"

hrow cold water upon one. Perhaps y

your munificent inte

inst me. What a magnificent beauty she will make when she has learned her three R's!" laughin

y r

hat tangled my mind. Now for our little stratagem. You will bring the carriage t

flown! To-morrow the club shall settle with Remond; for madame, she shall be ostrac

t. He only said, as if s

y. Can you find time, while getting a carriage, to b

ool would have received her in that white slip-picturesque, but not much better than a ballet-dancer's skirts

ly, as they parted, one to return to Mme. Lorraine's, the other to

d. A smile curled his lips, as he walked away, thinking of dark-eyed Little Nobody, and running ov

thoughts; but Eliot Van Zandt's took a graver turn as he went back to the starlit g

takes it all out of my hands," he mused.

e faster until he reached the gate by which he had left

ck, although he rapped again. Evi

king from the encounter with the wicked ma

music while she rendered a brilliant morceau. His hasty

ed, as he returned with what grace he

t of lace clasped by a diamond star. In her rich puffs of dark hair nestled white Niphetos roses shedding their delicate perfume about her as she moved with lang

d pleasure at the dazzling sight, but the

t so wicked!" he

go on," he said, forci

he entrance of her he had come to save. He listened mechanically to the sentimental Italian chanson madame cho

fulness, and scowled

ine watch for her

utes waned. Van Zandt fur

dy forced her to retire?" he thought, in alarm

n. Perhaps she is there still, fallen a

weet voice broke sudden

With those eyes it were useles

She would hear his voice, she would hasten to him, and the m

im with sarcastic eyes,

And I belong to a glee club. If these scant recommendations pleas

ndt dropped indolently upon the music-stool. His long, white fingers moved softly am

f the rosebud

, the dance

atin and glim

y and ros

e head, sunning

ers, and be

fallen a s

sion-flower

ing, my do

ing, my li

ies, "She is ne

rose weeps,

listens, "I h

y whispers,

ignificant scowl; madame a jealous sneer. It faded into a smile as he whirl

garden-let us go out again," he s

idnight. He chafed at the thought that Carmontelle was waiting w

Ah, you cold-looking Yankee, you can be as sentimental

y for love among the roses," with a cov

e. Van Zandt drew a

lle and the carriage waiting at the end

e hand clasping his arm, drew him out into the ga

eaped with

the flowers, forgetful of the dang

and dragged her remorselessly all over its length and breadth. Perhaps she guessed his intent, but s

e for a crouching white form that he could not find. There came

still th

med the half hour in silvery tones.

her, and dashing wildly out into the street, ran aga

just coming to seek you. What does

ion forced a smother

nceal ourselves near the door and wrest her from t