Louisiana Lou

dition. Thwarted ambition and gnawing disappointment had merely been the last straw which had broken him. His real trouble was that strange neurosis of mind and body which has attacked

with the terrible five-year service in the Légion des Etrangers, culminating in ever-mounting strain to his last achievement and then-sudden, stark failure! He was, as he had said

to the little red rosette of the Legion of Honor. Half drunk, he lolled at a table in a second-class café. He was in possession of his faculties; indeed, he seldom lost

uddenly died away, he looked around, half r

d, irritably, of a Fr

thout taking his eyes from the woman, who

ée," he answ

e deuce are you

the soldier, simply, as though n

he place, who had hastened to meet her with every mark of respect. Men at the tables she passed smiled at her and murmured 56 respectful greetings, to which she replied with l

aunty, close-fitting cap and wimple in white hiding her hair except for a few strands. Her figure was slender, lithe and g

a strip of veiling that effectually concealed them. The m

licity with the Queen of the Fairies, forgetful of earth and its problems except at such times as France in peril might need his services, when he returned to succor her. He surmised that this was the nurse of whom he had heard, setting her down as probably

lined a proffered seat at a table, and turned to come directly to that at which De Launay was seated. He had hardly ti

ver the stacked saucers, but, behind the

hat was sweet, with a

, is it not? I have b

suspicion crept into his dulled brain. "Mademoiselle

need not be afraid. It is true that I have been seeking him, but my moti

been talking, I can tell you right now, mademoiselle, that

ny in the words. Her inviting mouth curled scornfully. Her answ

!" she sa

ast in that manner, sat down. He could not have explained why he did. He did not try to. She

her. "You wonder, perhaps, why I am here," she went on. "I have said that Monsieur Doolittl

w," interrupted De Launay, "that I am

néral's history since he was a légionnaire. But it is of your present plans I wish

prohibition--" He shrugged his shoulders and looked with raised eye

ive gesture, implying distaste for him

e has the temperament of the gamester, that he is bored; in a word, that h

ng the chances which might be presented to me. I

ho had heard that he might be a profitable customer for venal love, but, facing that blank mask above the red lips and f

say?" The voice was s

on." He was relieved to see the lips curve in laughter and he recovered his 60

d her. "I will take risks and I am

and she now was twisting the slender fi

may be interested in playing, an adventure that he may find relaxing. And, as monsieur

You say that Doolittle gave you your infor

t did he

d her, and had finally, in exasperation at both of them, told her that the only way she could accomplish her designs was by the help of another fool like herself, and that De Launay wa

must do to help you?" It seemed evident that Dooli

e Launay saw the flush creep down under the mask to the

t the American courts will end as soon as the need is over. I must get to America, monsieur, and I cannot go alone. Nor can I get a passport and passage unaided. If one tries, on

nce, and he is also an American. It is undoubtedly true that he will have no difficulty in securing passage, nor will it be denied hi

sire to laugh. "What on earth

ne I could marry-unless, he said, I tried Monsieur de Launay. You, he informed me, had just told him that the only marriage

the only reason he'd ever marry would be as a result of a bet. Mademoiselle's ascenden

r that veil?" h

d to it doubtfully

y you, is it to

makes it embarrassing to me. It is nothing-nothing repulsive, monsieur," she

an la

know?" There was r

wondered why they

also hide under the cap. The poor soldiers ascribe all sorts of-of virtues to

erse from William Morris' "Earthly

f all creature

delicate you

eighteen summers

ging earth; ye

rious eyes suc

her had the w

o his surprise, for he had not thought

iling and the blush had spread again to cheeks and chin, flushing them delightfully. "It is a sup

had the reputation of being either ign

ha

r?le of the D

n. "He is not in the stor

not. But there is more. Where is Avalon

hat thou art

hine and mine;

ay men call

ld, but fairer

ha

are

please. If my name is distinguished, I am not. On the contrary, I am very poor, ha

t? Where is the place th

ag and took from it a not

I must look for. Here it is. The place is called 'Twin Forks,' and it is near th

Launay, who was clutching the edge of the table

s the matter

ke 65 Brandon! Mademoiselle, what do you s

zled and alarmed,

make us rich. And I seek also the name of the man that s