The Firefly of France

the one thing I hadn't expected was that she should seem pleased at the meeting, bu

o glad!" she exclaimed

very bracer I needed for a most unpleasant task. I accepted her hand, bowed over it f

e this; and I will not let you slip away. I suppose that when we board the train they wil

sensed my attitude. She drew back, reg

no. I am n

I should have sworn I had hurt

happening to you and me. Think of those lord high executioners in there round the table. See this platform with its guards and ba

teadily; then, with proud reluctance,

rted now, "and I haven't forgotten. I don't

disposed of the porters, and guided my companion to the wagon restaurant. The horn was sounding as we entered, an

high head to her pallor, proclaiming her feeling of offense, her sense of hurt. She knew her game, I admit

e in France, it will be a little less horrible than the usual dining-car. The wine is proba

ated briefly. "Won't you please

ppearances cozily established for a tete-a-tete meal, stopped in his tracks and fastened on me the hard, appraising scrutiny that a policeman might turn on a hitherto respectable acquaintance discovered in converse with some notorious crook. For an instant h

nce, my outward mie

ay to you. But I wish you would eat something first. People ar

ed smolderingly on mine. I shifted furtively in my seat. This was a charming experience. I was being, from my p

t war conditions are. Strangers aren't wanted just now. Travel is dangerous for women. You may think me al

ooked for, obvious

ed, regarding me wonderi

spagne sails from Bordeaux on Saturday, I see by the Herald, and if I were you, I should most certainly be on board. In fact, if you lose the chance, I am sure you'll regr

led off into silence. Her eyes, darkene

n't be so cruel!" The words came almost fie

lf-possession I had been clutching at throughout the meal. For the first time since entering

people you would meet in Paris, say. That's the very point I'm making-that you can't travel now in comfort. I'm

pulsively acr

come to the worst, I should have spoken, I should, indeed; but I had to wait. I had to give myself every chance. It meant so much, so much! You had nothing to hide from them. You were certain to win through. And then, you seemed so undisturbed, so unr

frankly. That tint of hers, like nothing but a wil

you were free to refuse-and you agreed! Because it inconvenienced you a little, are you going t

tly. She was i

of that particula

ed me. And I was so glad to see you-to have the chan

lconer, it would certainly be myself. I've concluded I ought not to go about w

d, suddenly wistful. "I thought you very

rrying mock

ss flattering view. For instance, if those Englishmen learned that I had refrained

widening. What att

the table, and amazed me with a slow, astonished, comprehending smile. "I see!" she murmured, studying me intently. "You thought that I screened th

e you. It was a brilliant piece of work; though, as

ill smiling faintly. "You thoug

stentatiously, directed my attention to a

TFUL! THE EARS OF THE

kind that are scattered about the trains, the boats, th

ssed! Well, in that case it was kind of you not to hand me over to the Modane gendarmes. I ought to thank you. But I wasn't so

l than I appeared. There was something in her manner that by no means suggested pretense. And she had said a true wor

one very dear to me to whom this war has worked a cruel injustice. I have come to try to help that person; and for certain reasons-I can't explain them-I had to come in secret or not at all. But I have done nothi

passionately; yet it shook me. With sudden c

cted and pursued and outrageously annoyed by fools like me. Yes, and by other fools-and worse," I added with feigned sulphurousness, indicated Van Blarcom. "Miss F

Italia he insisted that we had met. It frightened me a little. I wondered whether or

ing, despi

ou won't think me too impertinent: Did you e

lankly; "I never

ing it was marvelous; there had not been the

ally, you know, I'm not such a duffer as you have cause to think me. After we got acquainted you might be willing to trust me with this business, whatever it is. And then, if it's not too desperate, I have friends who could be of help to you." Such was the sop I threw

most becoming mixture, were in

she said uncertainly. "I have friends, t

Come, Miss Falconer, why mayn't I call? Because we are strangers? If that's it, you can assure yourself at the embassy t

hat war

to you on the ship, to ask unreasonable favors of you, to make people think

oped you might s

, it will change everything. I could see you once, at least, and let yo

pang of conscience, "I've been

didn't mind; I rather liked her mockery now. "Still, even when you thought the wor

emphatic

maged vainly for a pencil, ended by acce

row and ask for me. And now, since I'm not to go to prison, Mr. Bayne, I believe I am hungry

claimed hopefully. "And there never was a French cook y

nds, and my black butterflies having fled away, a swarm of their gorgeous-tin