.

THE MASTER-CARPENTER HAS A PROBLEM.
The Clerk of the Court came to his feet with a startled "Merci!" and the master-carpenter fell back with a smothered exclamation.

Both men stared confusedly at the woman as she shut the door slowly and, as it might seem, carefully, before she faced them.
"Here I am, George," she said, her face alive with vital adventure.
His face was instantly swept by a storm of feeling for her, his nature responded to the sound of her voice and the passion of her face.
"Carmen--ah!" he said, and took a step forward, then stopped.

The hoarse feeling in his voice made her eyes flash gratitude and triumph, and she waited for him to take her in his arms; but she suddenly remembered M.
Fille.

She turned to him.
"I am sorry to intrude, m'sieu'," she said.