The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-02-27
ACROSS TIE
 WALNUTS AND WINE


 CT felt more commonplace In my lire than when discovered that after more than twenty years separation destiny had seated us side by side at table dhote at the Hotel National at Lu' cerne. Except for a certain mature worldllness of expression. she had not altered from the pretty, piquant giri | remembered. although widow x weeds and a debutante daughter serN' cd to remind me of the flight of time.
 A sudden consciousness Of my port ly. middle aged figure embarrassed me as I met the youthful candor or her glance. She looked almost exactly as she had looked when she tearfully hade me goodby and swore 10 love me Tor ever But the promise had not been sufficiently strong to resist the weight of A mlllionalre's purse and had snap ped with brittle abruptness almost be- fore | was we'll out of sight. l. how ever. who had enshrlned her Loyalty in my heart and preferred night to day because perchance the tickle god or slumber might sometimes give her back to me again In gracious dreams, was obliged tO submit to the irony or fate. which had disguised me 50 CT fectuauy that I actually had to remind her that once we had been friends She had greeted me as a stranger, and I realized directly that l had become completely forgotten episode,
 1 mentioned the fact at oysters that once had the honor of her friendship, and she slipped her sautcrne dantily while she deliberated upon the infor nation. but We were well through soup before her memory had mastered my identity.
 Dear me. Really;" she said. nut ting up her gold lorgnette In order the better to investigate so curious bit or ancient. forgotten history. Yes l think | remember you perfectly. Did you say We were once engagedt IL has escaped my memory. but dare say We were and will take your word for il. Mir. pu Barri Why. of course. 1 remember you now. We used Co play together as children in our mud pie days You lived across the road. No, wouldn't have recognized you. al- though you insist that we were once engaged and that threw you over Well. you do not bear the marks of it You look very prosperous and-aS if you thoroughly enjoyed your dinner.
 We had reached fish, a delicious carp cooked in wine and accompanied by JohauuiSbcrgtr have an excel lent digestion. unl | am bound to con fess that the proximity of my old love had not impaired my appreciation of a good dinner. The chef at the National was an accomplished artist. and was doing full justice Co the carp when she made the remark with the saucy turn of the head remembered so well.
 shakespeare was right" she went on pathetlcaliy. Men have died be- fore. and worms have eaten them. but not for love"
 This was really barbaric of her when one considered the mlllionairc's purse. the becoming widows weeds and the dcbutaut, daughter but long continued suffering had made me strong.
 "Oh. if you're going Co quote poetry. said | carclessly. "l believe some writ CT has said somewhere that True love nightly likes his case and has an eye for a dinner "
 Sue flashed an appreciative glance at me from the corner of her dark eye. Exactly my sentiments, too. Mir pu | BarrI." she said And. by the wly, did you ever taste anything better than this tilet de bWufi ! wonder how he manages to-cook lt so much better tlan any one else can. I've ordered their best champagne In honor of it."
 "If a man has a clean conscience ] began. cying her sharply.
 And clean shirt" she put tn. sn'l- ing InScrutably.
 "He Is apt Co enjoy bis dinner
 "If it's a good one" she amended Al this juncture the head water served lardcd swcctbrcads a la Mos sonirrc aud with knowing loOk D ed a dusky bottle of Chautcau l.aioW before mc Ee whisked a salai d' ls-, before Ls and disappeared v'a m air of triumph. He was right quite forgot what was about Co s.s. my thoughts being thoroughly diSIr 20 ed for the moment
 Mans love Is of mans lie a th.oe apart" she quoted softly as thc plom. blcrc aux fraiscs was put before uS Iris a woman's whole existence
 She bestowed so ravishing a glance upon me that [ was nearly undonr. but recalled her cold indifference "i the oyster period and remained calm 1. too. in my turn became as sweet and cold as the strawberry ice ! was eating
 The coffee arrived. hot. black. fra grant with burning cognac. She gave me an adorable smile which presently seemed to promise rose hued lmpoSsi bllitles
 Its so delightful meeting you like this" she murmured. "l hope we shall -