The morning call., 1891-05-03
CHAPTER II.

Evening was drawing on, sending a soft
twilight into the room, when Coleman's din
neT was brought in by shy and silent old
colOred woman. He had not ordered the
meal, nor had he felt the need of it. Doubt
| less the stimulus afforded by the unusual
! character of his surroundings held his sense
! Of hunger IN allegiance.
The old woman retired as soon as she had
| arranged the repast on a round mahogany
! table. Coleman found the oysters, the
/ wine, the broiled fish and the French bread
] excellent to such degree that he ate almost
| everything before him; then leaning far
| back lie his chair he began TO study the sill
| yer set from which all these good things had
been taken. The platter was in the form of
founder, the sugar-bOwl was frog, the
cream pitcher q heron. the eoffee-pot peii-
! can. These curious pieces were exQuisitelY
! carved, and on each was cut the name Fayart
| de Caumartin In plain, bold letters. Even
| on the hYe-armed silver eandle-stiek, in
which burned five fragrant myrtle wax
| tapeTs, appeared that striking inscription.
He surveyed the room now with a more
critical eye, discovering at once that the
pictures, the curtains. the carpets and, in
deed, all the articles of furniture were costly
and beautiful beyond anything he had ever
seen before. Evidently be was in judge
Caumartin's house.
The moon was shining brilliantly when
Coleman went forth for short walk in the
being the dinner hour; but certain cafes
were crowded with men and women who
were drinking champagne and discussing
the dishes on Widespread tables.
At the door OF one of these gorgeous rooms
Coleman met the young map whom a few
hours before he had seen leading the rOut
Of singers in the street. 1t occurred to him
that now was as good as any time TO present
his letter to the Judge, SO heforthwith stepped
near him and said, lifting his nat:
believe L have the honor of meeting
Judge FavRrt de Caumartin."
The gentleman stared at him moment
very deliberately, then with just suspicion
Of a smile and with courteous dignity
wholly inimitable and indeScribable dotted
his queer little black cap as he spoke:
And who does me the honor of address
ing me%
II hold a letter to you from Mr.. Phineas
Cartwright of the firm of Cartwright Il
VandeWeer. bankers"
Indeed. / feel hOnOred."
Coleman produced the letter and rendered
II, but not without vague feeling of inse-
curly OF some sort. He had not expected
this peculiar reserve and caution on the part
OF the Judge. Could it be that he was to
be treated as an infection to be borne for
mere poliey's sake? His distrust and
doubt, however, were OF short duration, for
the Judge had no sooner read the epistle,
which was much longer than any mere let
ter OF introduction, than his whole manner
changed. He held out his hand.
Il am charmed, delighted, SIR" he said,
with slight Creole accent that made his
voice very pleasing, 'I am proud to see
you. / hope you find your rooms agreeable.0
Coleman clasped his hand and felt that
measure Of relief which comes when one is
suddenly lifted out of a. very awkward situa-
ton.
The Judge read the bankers letter over
again with great elaboration. and appar-
emily with much concentration of mind.
while Coleman, who could not reDlove his
eyes from his fascinating dark face, stood
waiting for the opportunity to say
You do me Infinite honor, Judge, in