The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-07

man of mine resided here His name his
! disappeared and with it my last hope of
! dinner has departed. 1t chances that
| could earn little money this even
| ing. but one must dress to dine, and &c
! dine is an essential part of my engage
| ment.''
1t was on the tip Of Wilson'S tongue, to
ask if he had the honor to address the
Baron d'Esse. and he shuddercd a thous
and times later to remember that temp
tation. He felt an absolute certainty of
the fact. but why should he humiliate
the Inundated? But if he were right
the man and he would be meeting in an
hours time. and the thought was appall-
ing. He must send a line of excuse to
Saumarez. and he wrote and dispatched
it in his own mind in a flash. He thought
SO quickly that without a moments APP
parent hesitation he had moved to little
safe which was wedged into the wall of
his sitting room and had unlocked it,
If note for five pounds will be of
service to Monsieur" he said. returning.
Sir said the stranger, Il thank you
from my soul. Permit me to know the
name of my benefactor. l shall Lc allie
to return the gift tomorrow. The obliga-
ton will never be forgotten
An idea occurred to Wilson, and he
put it into execution.
believe me, Sir, l am delighted to be
of some use in the world. That is my
name, but I am not certain of mv own
whereabouts for some time to come. Ii
you will address me at the house OF my
friend. Mr. Roland Saumarez, No. 199
Hyde Park Gardens. you will find me at
any time 1 will write it down.
Thank YOU said the stranger, ut Is
unnecessary. I know Monsieur Sau-
iS indeed with him that 7 q
pledged to dine this evening
Why said Wilson, with an assump-
ton of being startled INFO brightness,
$50 am 1. Is this not really the oldest
thing that ever happened? We shajl
have the honor of meeting Monsieur's
distng uished countryman. the Baron
d'Esse.''
Sir" said the stranger. II am spared
a grave embarrassment. am the Baron
d'Esse.
Il felicitate myself said Wilson, ION
the happy accident which has introduced
us to each other.
The Baron sighed profoundly, but he
made no direct answer to the speech.
When he spoke again it was in English.
as fluent and polished as has French.
II must plead guilty" he said, $50 a
rather shameful subterfuge. 1t came into
my mind when you addressed me in the
corridor that a foreigner in distress might
make such an appeal as I was forced to
make with more chance of success than
he would have If he seemed quite at
home in your own language. It was for
that reason that I pretended not to I'M
derstand you, and should have sustained
the pretence until the end had it been
possible.
1t was Wilson's turn to be embarras sed
now. and he blushed fiercely as he muir
INJURED something to the effect that he
understood, and that 1t was all perfectly
natural.
I'VE meet again., said the Baron. Gin
something less than an hour. know
do wrong in asking Mr. Wilson to forget
this episode for a little while, and yet
Believe me-" said Wilson, you shall
never be reminded of it by me. If have
been able to be OF momentary service,
I am delshted.''
The Baron bowed. and departed with
out another word: and Wilson stood in
sort of empty wonder as he listened to
the sound of retreating footsteps on the
stone staircase.
Good heavens,'' he said softly to him.
self the Baron d Esse. That is a change
from Year ago, when the man was
an honored guest at Sandringham!
He waited for a minute TO make sure
that his visitor was clear of the ground
and then taking the whistle from the
mantelpiece. he turned out the light
closed the door behind him. ran down
the steps. called up a hanson, and was
~. - ,lav,eS IIA 1,oI