New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-03

back will wager you will see short man In
a blouse and corduroys behind us. He has got
a black beard and rather a reddish nose, and
smokes a nasty clay pipe"
John looked back There is certainly a man
OF that description some way behind us; and
now that | look at him, I remember having
noticed him in the gallery. But what of that!
No doubt he has crossed the river for identi-
cally the same purpose as ourselves. In France
workmen often take a very keen interest in
art. and many visit the museums whenever
they can get holiday. 1t Is good thing
That man is spending happy day at the
Luxembourg He looks very intelligent man.
and / only wish / could speak French well
enough to talk to him.
/ was not satisfied with this explanation. for
putting together all the things had noticed
since the previous evening | felt sure that IN
some way we had become objects OF suspicion
However. was so frightened Of spelling john
pleasure by telling him what l thought that
said no more. ] may add that, though kept q
sharp lookout for the man in the blouse. did
not him again that afternoon. We stayed
in the Luxembourg till II closed. and then mad q
delightful walk home, only losing our way Twice
the road.
At the pension an unpleasant surprise was In
store for use. AS we were going upstairs TO our
room to prepare, for dinner, NJ. Montbarboh
Monsieur Wilson. Monsieur Wilson," he cried
there is paper for you
With these words he thrust a yellow paper
into my hands. 1t was a sheet folded over ana
sealed without an envelope. On the OUTSIDE
were printed the words Commssariat de Ponce;
address.
Look at this. john" cried turning pale and
feeling my heart beat.
I'VE will look at ii in our room, said Jonn,
taking my arm and leading me upstairs.
When we had reached our rooms he kissed me
and sad Now let us look at this naughty
paper. which made my little woman turn SO
pale
He broke the seal. and unfolding the paper.
laid it out on the table II was printed FORM.
with some blanks filled in in writing. AFTER
much puZzling. and frequent reference to
pocket dictionary. we translated the commune
cation follows:
you are requested to attend at the office OF
the Commissary Of Police of the - arrondisse-
ment. at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. on bus-
ness concerning yourself. The woman Wilson is
also requested to attend. Bring this letter with
you"
An illegibe signature was affixed to this docu-
ment.
The woman Wilson" I cried. Indignantly.
French politeness indeed"
my dear" said my husband that Is only
the French legal form. Don't you remember
that Marie Antoinette was always referred to as
la femme Capet.' And what better title can be
given to a woman than that Of woman
But what can be the meaning Of this precious
document" | cried. "Oh. John. why did we
He soothed me and kissed me. Don't be
alarmed. dear" he said mo doubt some mis-
take has been made. Perhaps they want to see
our papers. ! read something recently to the
effect that foreigners were obliged. by new
French law, to register their names at the police
Office. That may be the business"
As we were going downstairs. we saw one Of
the lady boarders coming out Of her room In the
passage ahead of US. When she saw us coming.
she suddenly slammed the door and locked 1t.
II arn sure we are being taken for thieves"
said. feeling ready to cry with modification.
John. however. only laughed.
Our dinner might have been even more un-
pleasant than on>the previous night We were
received In Icy silence and during the whole
course OF the meal nobody spoke TO either of US.
IL Is true that never addressed word TO any
body. but continued the conversation that had
the beautiful pictures and sculpture which we
had seen. And though John does not talk at
meals he understood why ] kept addressing
him and exerted himself to keep me In coun-
tenance. So that. after ALL enjoyed my dinner
very much. for there Is nobody in the world In
whose conversation take more pleasure than
my husbands.
As soon as dinner over, and while I was
wondering how should face the ordeal OF the
drawing room. John came up to me- anu whs-
pered. Let us retire to the robbers cave" at
which laughed 80 loudly. for ! was feeling
rather hysterical. that everybody I'm the room
turned and stared at me. Not that their stares
affected me: indeed. | laughed all the way to
our room. We spent very pleasant evening
together playing matador which Is an amusing
variety OF the game OF dominos John would
not let me speak about the matter which was
troubling me.
We VIII see all about that to- morrow" he
said whenever attempted to breach the sub
Ject.
confess that felt very nervous when next
morning we set out to go to the police once
MOI that nave ever done anything wrong or