1940-07-12 — Page 14

SHORT STORY.

THE CHINA MATE FRIDAY SUPPLEMENT, JULY 12, 1940

A PASSAGE OF ARMS

a

SHE may have once been a dan- guest:

cer

shoulders

trembled. The

*

the

By Countess Von Haarsch

coming

"Girard says that one comes Flop-flop, slap splash-splasti... pipe. The scullery why empty. The nobody knew much Yet, in spite of Madame's re- from the north. You understand?" 11 Lento's lined, bronzed face stay hotel stood still. In about an hour "Perfectly," Her voice rang teily, ed impassive. His blue eyes re- or so he imagined they would

all come back from the fair, drink about it. In that tarnished, smelly, ticence, that tinner. invitation wag hotel, pushed into a backwater of soon followed by another; and she "Then he is a Russian: Of his In- flected nothing.

solènce I have had a proof. Marseilles, she passed muster and accepted it willingly enough.

But vividly he remembered that ing and dancing would start, but Le Patroh liked that reticence: M'sieur, I beg. bf you not to allow even-won approval. Her thin body;

himself. ** figure, so absurd in her tawdry

He sat down on the worn stone still flaunted what gaudy silks and It lent extra glamour to the whole him to come to the lounge again smoky crowded lounge, a pathetic meanwhile he had the place to

"I swear to you-

silver lace, her thin arms,,raised lace she may have earned.in. an situation.. carlier, glittering hour. Her frizzed- "There goes Madame Lucille. A

But Madame Lucille had not above her extravagantly dressed step and leisurely filled his vibe.

He had thought much and hard. Ah, but finished,

heild, the heavfly made up"farë,"" hair was still golden under the Russian Grand Duke'...

"I have good reasons, M'sieur, the-big-black-eyes-darting towards there was nothing for him to do. during the week and had decided heavily made-up face, her black nobody knows more than this--" eyes and a sharply carmined They all stared at her. They My position is peculiar and des the door. Those eyes, on seeing Let the shoddy drama be played:

conjectures when licate. Not everyone who comes him, went filmy with fear. He out until the curtain fell. Some mouth still mocked and chal-made endless

the she was not with them. She chose from the north is nice to know could not understand it but those day she would blunder badly and lenged. She tripped across

There are enemies.".

eyes had recognition woven with trip of her own accord. dingy, smoky lounge on her red to be silent. They let her. Louis heels, a light tune on her And Madame Lucille kept silent "But yes, Madame, it shall be terror in them. TI Lento shrugged Someone began playing ironic lips, and newcomers turned until an unfortunate accident in as you wish he reassured her. over the sink. Who was she? He.

the scullery. The hot water tank Madame 'Lucille hurrièd off to could' to the fat, bearded 'patron':

not humanly remember mandoline in a house across the "Is she a guest of yours?" burst and scalded Maurice, one of her garret. She undressed, folded everyone he had ever met. But street, and the giant's shoulders Le Patron always answered: the dish-washers. They took him and put away her tired finery, why that terror? Last night it had stiffened. Music. A star was "But yes, she is a guest. She has away in an ambulance. Le Patron threw a thin cotton wrap on her puzzled him. Now he knew the born over his head, and for a sec

ond-he shut his eyes. The starry honoured us here for three years" wrung his hands. "Le Petit Chat" shoulders, and sat down on her reason.

skies over the Crimean coast, a he lowered his voice, "Madame was not the kind of hostelry that narrow bed: With an impatient "Grand Duke Peter's widow

white dream of a palace, cupped Lucille is French; but I, who could use services df any agencies. gesture she blew out the candle. Of the most tragic

in oleanders, woman's voice and others Le Patron had to go down to the Pale moonlight floated into the

The mid-day meal was due, and speak to you, know

A woman's voice. speaking know also that Madame Lucille is docks to find what he called a room, and she would not draw the II Lento slowly wiped his hands. stilled ages and ages ago.

The fat old curtain.

The towel was sodden and greasy, the widow of Grand Duke Peter. convenient person.'

"Not all the imperial blood In Of the most tragic--"

iman had his own ideas on the

"Incredible . What

but he noticed nothing. He was you, George, would make me love Le Patron paused to let this in- subject.

you''. Nothing except that you formation sink in. Then, he added That evening Madame Lucille she cupped her chin in both hands. busy wondering, remembering.

I may Years he no longer chose to are such a great gentleman.” with a flourish of his fat hand! 'obliged with more than her usual "In such a backwater

have been mistaken No, no, count stretched in his mind. Il Lento's Angers trembled, and "But yes, she is a guest. Also grace. Arms raised high, she was I had better ignore him I have Stormy danger-fraught wander- he nearly dropped his pouch. That she obliges, M'sieur-"

finishing her 'danse russe.' Sud-

ings patterned those years, Europe, way ran danger. He had no right For a garret and three sketchy denly her eyes strayed towards secured a position here."

Yet she could not go to sleep. South America, the United States; to think about his dead wife meals a day. Madame Lucille did the widely opened door. She

A light step fell on his ear. He oblige--more than occasionally, stared hard for a few seconds. She knew that her position was Canada, Europe again. His mind

not secure because of a clever jealously shuttered against

swung round. A lamp was hang- Le Patron liked to have his guests Then something sickly stole across French song and an exotic dance, past, he sold the energy of his rig over the door-lintel. Madame entertained. Her repertory did not her face. Her mouth twitched. but because she stirred sympathy muscles to whomever desired it-- Lucille, her silver dress a faintly vary much, but the audience was She sank to the floor, unsmiling and curiosity, created an atmos- mostly to such as le Patron of Le shimmering cloud, was not exacting. A few French songs, Her

phere of remote mystery, lent Petit Chat who asked no questions down the steps.

no half-truths. II negro spiritual or two, and guests rushed to her.

Slowly he rose to his feet. She glamour to the. Petit Chat. Many and expected something that went down quite "A little fresh air," Madame could sing and dance indifferently. Lento would not give half-truths, stopped, placing herself to the left successfully as 'danse russe. Lucille managed to gesture feebly, Very few trod the world-a veiled and questions were futile so far of the lamp. Her black eyes were Pavlova might have questioned "Merci. This fatigue will pass."

as he was concerned. He did his blazing. His voice quietly wished

his employers her good-evening. the last item, but the crowd at. "Le.. It did. She ate, drank and laugh- tragedy in their wake.

Madame Lucille knew this but job. Well, then. Petit Chat" accepted it enthusiasti ed with the crowd, but later she too well. She also knew that even shrugged and used him.

She stamped her high heel on Yet here in a backwater of Mar- the cobbles." cally. Madame Lucille's black looked for le Patron: skirts billowed round, as she spun

"M'sieur, there came a giant into though the stranger had appeared

"See here who are you?” as a common dishwasher at the seilles he was facing a new situa- out her fantastic measure. Her the lounge when I was dancing. Petit Chat, her days of unprobed tion. Angry? He could not help

He gave no reply. bare arms raised, she sank on the He was no habitue: He had very mystery might well be counted. being angry. floor, her carmined lips arched in dark hair. He wore a workman's Therefore it was up to her to be- "We were made enough in our a mocking smile, Le Patron beam- clothes. Now who he is is of the gin looking for fresh pastures. She day, but we never married them. ed: The guests clapped till the win- utmost importance--" dow panes rattled. Madame Lucille Le Patron tugged at his beard. would have to line her pocket be- My brother could never have done

fore she did so. She thought of M. it." looked pleased, and at supper her "See here, that one should never Lupin from Cherbourg who The red devil of fury leapt in began throbbing. Under the glar- table carried an extra half-bottle have come in. No doubt, the boys travelled in gloves and was so him. He felt the whole thing was ing lamp her face stood out in all the in the kitchen chattered so much generous with drinks and meals. so shoddy. He might have trade on ruthlessly revealing detail:

mouth, the They all liked her dancing but about Madame's accomplish- M. Lupin was a man of rather un- his own legitimate rank, playing crudely carmined none of them dared asked her ments," he bowed gallantly, but tidy habits. He often forgot his polo, sipping cocktails and danc coarse outline of cheek and chin. questions. Le Patron's remarks Madame Lucille insisted:

change on the table.. She had ing somewhere on the Riviera. He Something made him feel sick, but about her widowhood were intri- "But, what say you, who is he? heard a maid say that he never might have won ease and comfort he kept quiet. guing. A Russian Grand Duke and I seem to know Him."

locked anything. in his room, at the price of no single effort. Il

"You are a spy," she hissed at a cosmopolitan dancer, The guests Le Patron beamed:.

Which was careless, the repute Lento glanced at his huge mus him, "This hotel is of the most burned with eagerness to find out "Me, I had good fortune to-day of the Petit Chat considered. Well, cular arms:

respectable. You stand and sneer details. Le Patron had none to Maurice will not return

"Instead, I have preferred to put but you shall go." for she would watch the new kitchen give them. Madame Lucille was months, and I need a new dish-hand closely and get even with you on the market." he murmur- "Madame is not my employer--" forbidding in her reticence. One washer. I go down to the docks to him before

Her southern temper broke out her glittering days ed to his hands. evening a newcomer from Cher- my good friend, Girard at the came to their end. Also she would Now he understood that naked at his calm. She had been success- bourg, a M. Lupin, who travelled Moulin Vert, and he has the very wait for a convenient opportunity fear in her black eyes. She must ful in M. Lupin's room. Her own in kid gloves and cheap per- man for me, That giant, he came to slip into M. Lupin's room. Of have recognised him once way lay clear, but not before she fumery, treated her to a dinner here from Italy. Girard says they course, she would be careful Expose her? Well, that would not had ground this man's pride under and tried a little mild pumping on call him 'I Lento' because he is enough to wear gloves, she thought be difficult-except that he would her feet. his own. Madame's bfrick eyes so slow. I reckon he will keep my sleepily.

have to reveal his own identity: In her tury she forgot to think went cold.

Le Patron remembered his pro- Still, was it right that he should about caution. She raised her voice "My excuses, M'sieur, but me, 1 "From Italy?" Madame echoed mise, and the new dishwasher was keep aloof and watch an adven- and stood, her arms akimbo never speak of this:"

doubtfully, "M'sieur; that one is no curtly told the backyard, scullery turess trade on a treat name "I don't employ dishwaters, no, M. Lupin's fat face went a deep- Italian."

and kitchen were godd enough for Il Lento ate his peppery sausage not I. Your Imperial Highness er-red. He checked himself and Le Patron coughed deprecating him.

in silence. The men around him must find the occupation enter- pressed another liqueur on his ly

with coarse taining, eh? It is a step down from "No more loitering at the door pelted one another

stories. of the lounge, my old one."

They decided to cold- living in palaces? Well, I go-bat "Good, Msieur," the newcomer shoulder him. A temporary hand you shall go also. I shall tell them bent his huge body over the sink. With damn queer airs was not of the police that you are a spy. The great arms, bared to the worth bothering about: Lento Foreign labour is now restricted in France I shall go but I shall elbow, grew busy over greasy felt almost grateful to them.

A week passed. Madame Lucille make a nice lot of trouble for you, cashes and dirty suds. Le Patron grunted and went off. The man continued obliging in the smoky my friend. I am a French-woman, working next to the stranger, gave lounge. Some guests remarked and I know my people

that she was getting thinner and Lento stepped back. For a a coarse chuckle.

"My faith but she is a cat of that there was a strange listless moment he considered her with jealousy. She must have heard you look in her eyes. Le Patron something like curiosity. She was come from the north. Your name, thought she was getting tired, not merely an adventuress but a Secretly he hoped for Maurice's fool to boot. Somehow he knew he my brave one?"

Slowly, the giant wrung out a return. That new dishwasher was could not fight a fool. sodden dishcloth

of white Bordeaux. “

noisy boys in order."

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"Well, II Lento, say, you are a Russian, are you not even though you come from Italy"

"I was born there" The other guffawed.

Just that

Take care, my old one: Madame Lucille will not have rivals in mystery."

"The dancer?"

at

"You come to spy-on me—” "Madame is not my employer- "Ah, you will be insolent-" "That I could not be."

He kept quiet, but his temples

so tiresome. All the others dis- She was torn to pieces by her "Il Lento," he never moved his liked him. But he never again own anwer, swayed by wild ter- head. "I have worked in Italy. appeared in the lounge. That was ror lest he were to expose her threatened to They called me that, I am never well. And M. Lupin went on press- cheap tricks. She

ing liqueurs and bottles of cheap deny him a few weeks' livelihood. quick."

scent on Madame Lucille. She ac- Il Lento shruggle wearily. He cepted the presents with a languid wished he had not opened his smile. In the evenings, alone in mind to long buried memories. Her garret, she schemed and plan- "You are such a great gentleman, " No gentleman ned. Now she knew it for a cer- George": tainty--Grand Duke Peter had a could bring a woman into disgrace No gentleman could fight a twin; whose name was George, u、 A blue-eyed giant, always conf wombin. sidered a bit daft. They said He sighed.

"You are a spy," she missed ati "But yes, she dances—but she is he had married for love. a Grand Duke's widow also. The day came when she heard him again. "You come here be Grand Duke Peter Hive you not le Patron give an afternoon's leave cause you hear of me, Yes! You heard?”

to the maids. Madame Lucille are like a crouching beast” "“I see," said Il Lento non-com breathed in relief, There was some Her voice broke off, as from the mittally and moved away to fetch fair outside Marsellies, and M. back of the house came the loud another statt of solled plate:Tupin was also going, Now was shouts of le Patron:

"Has she vafished then, name When he came back to the sink; Her chance. The held would-be his neighbour threw him one con open, and she knew M: Lupin was of hi dog??" temptuous look. That one had no th funds. The night before, after I bent heard her gasp. She she had refused another liqueur, turned round-but the backyards tongue in his head. Ah well s

"Jacquot; have you heard?”) he had laughed and boasted that, was a cul-de-sac and there was "What guyuyou?!

if he chose he could buy up all no escape through the scullery. Her left hand clutched at the door- A strident babel broken around the cellars in Marseilles.

ould try her luck that post. Her face went chalkily the dark-haired giant. He took no Yes, the notice of it. His hands were busy afternoon and then vanish. But “I should have gorie she with soap, brush and mop, and the first she would get even with that bled, her fury turned to

ashes, "but they are hours ever growing stacks of cheap white new dishwasher from the forth. pottery. His hands moved slowly That evening Le Petit Chat was early.

APODAYRB but he never slatked♫ · «Hé héard unusually quiet. Everybody had 11-Lento stared at her. And "In

MILK

the voices rise crescendo, but he gone to the Taif except: 11 Lento;, the open mouth of the back door never caught word. His hands and Mudame Lucfile, when invit he saw a group of people rushing had known, their business for cu by M. Lupin, had archly plead forward, Le Patron his fat face "purple” M. Laipin, à" couple' 'at Éri several weary years. His mind had el a headache. its own concerns, and none could. His work done, 11 Lento slipped cited maids pry into them.

into the backyard to smoke a quiet ' (Continued on Page (15)