The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-12-12

the sterner romance or the Secret Ser
vice and the custody OF the "X' Papers
fell on our cruise round the Bay OF
Naples.
On my arrival at headquarters my
sole instructions were TO convey the
sealed packet TO the frontier and hold
It there till "tbe authorized one should
arrive 10 relieve me Of my responsible
ity.
Under the circumstances the best
course was to reJoin my bride In order
that our sojourn on the frontier might
appear but an extension Of our wed
ding tour, and this indeed II was, only
always on my person carried the hid
den incubus OF the TX" Papers.
The "authorized one" delayed longer
than had anticipated, but the days at
the Schwitzerhoff passed If not so glo-
riously as In the Naples bay still pleas
antly enough. | was, In fact, discover
ing all days were delightful wherever
spent, II passed with Kirstine! But
did not enjoy them as exclusively with
my bride as | could have wished, for
she (bless her dear warm hearth had
befriended lonely little FrenchwOm-
an At the pension.
Poor little Nine DutOur! According
TO her pitiful half admissions 10 my
wife she had been brought mp In con
vent and marricd-a marriage de con
venance almost from It's portals
scarcely two months ago, but monsieur
apparently failing to find her amusing.
had left her at the SchwitZerhOm TO
seek more varied Joys at Monte Carlo.
So il happened that | was left alone
In the pension garden, rolling cigar
cites one morning while Kristinc and
Stcphanic exchanged condolences.
My revcrlc was interrupted by an
ultra sentimental rendering of the
"Star Of Eve" from "Tannhauscr' i'm a
thin, somewhat brcathlcss baritone.
The singer was evidently sublimcly un-
conscious Of the lurking servant of the
law. who was, with professional habit.
making mental notes TO the effect that
his height was five eight, physique
thin and nervous, clothes good and
new. that the knottcd fingers loosely
clasping an ornately decorated pocket
book behind his back were smoSc-yel-
lowed, ana that the deep blue of his
cheeks aud upper lip indicated n dcs-
pcratc struggle with nature on what
she had previously intended TO be n
luXurlantly covered surface.
AS the singer passed me i'm n very
ecstasy Of sweetness long drawn out"
Just trihc fiat, 10y the byc-thc
pocketbook slipped from his uncon-
scious fingers
IL was bore, but a conscientious
man was bound TO sacrifice scqucs-
tered rcposc and return to the artist
soul the property he had lost in the
emotions of Wagncr-iust half tone
too lOwl
Monsieur. a thousand thanks" The
artist spoke excellent French. "You
have saved my porte-monnaie. but
morc-far more, hcsidesr
Then he bowed profoundly, huttcrcd
n shcaf OF notes from the now opened
poCketbook and displayed an inner re.
ccptacle mystcriouSly closed.
This contains souvenir-very prcc.
ious. 1t is FOR this monsieur, that
thank you with all my heart"
| was for bowng my acknowledge.
ments and departing, but at that mo-
ment the lunch bell rang
Monsieur will permit me-" The
singer bowed vaguely between the pen
sion and my person. 81 arrived only
last night. This place has memories,
monsieur-memorie ories-memories.
IL was impossible To refuse his prof
fered company; besides. on nearer in
spection. he was more interesting
There was no trace OF emotion in his
hard, watchful eyes.
On the hotel steps we were greeted
by Kirstine and Nine. Dutour. and.
since my new friend remained. l per
force presented him TO the ladies. In
his effusive gratitude for my ridi,u-
lously small service he had thrust a
card announcing him 10 be the Prince
di Congratza upon me as We walked
"Oh. Maurice" said my wife rs we
walked toward the salon. ''the guides
say that now the weather has cleared
we ought to do the Zenner Pass before
the snow melts. Stephanie and l have
planned IL all for to- morrow, II you ap-
prove"
well. well. we shall sec" l replied.
noncommittally.
Monsieur, there IL absolutely no
danger" cried the Prince. IL know
every inch OF the pass. and II you will
allow me | will act cicerone TO mes.
danes. but. since monsieur is nervous
for the ladies' sake alone. OF course"
he added. with a politeuess which in
any hut an over.civilized country would
be allowed its only just requital. 1--WE
will consult the trusty guides"
Hans and Amsler were called before
l could interfere. They smiled cour.
teously at the suggestion OF danger 81
the Xenner; II was the right momeit.
right weather. right everything.
During the afternoon wired "a
headquarters for particulars and the
whereabouts Of Prince III Ccngratza.
The following morning was glorious
The snow scintillated against the deer
blue OF the heavens and the Zcnnel
looked no more than an hours stroll
away.
The Prince had arranged everything
guides. ice axes, ropes and provis
ions.
Stephanie .Dutour was latc-she gen.
orally was
"Nfodotn, aud will ~, az, - soir .b.
Prince. "You will soon oyertake us