Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-01-07
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
Across the
Walnuts and Wine.

had expected to experience at least
thrill OF some sort when / met my
old sweetheart for the first time in
many years, but in point of fact 1 new
er felt more commonplace in my life
than when 1 discovered that after more
than twenty years separation destiny
had seated us side by side at table
d'hote at the Hotel National at Lu-
cerne. Except for a certain mature
worldliness of expression, she had not
altered from the pretty, .piquant girl
l remembered, although n widows
weeds and a debutante daughter serv-
ed to remind me of the flight of time.
A sudden consciousness of my port
ly, middle aged figure embarrassed me
as l met the youthful candor of her
glance. She looked almost exactly as
she had looked when she tearfully babe
me goodby and swore TO love me for
ever. But the promise had not been
sufficiently strong TO resist the weight
of n millionaire's purse and had snap
ped with brittle abruptness almost be-
fore | was well out of sight. |. how
ever, who had enshrined her Loyalty in
my heart and preferred night to day
because perchance the tickle god OF
slumber might sometimes give her
back to me again in gracious dreams,
was obliged TO submit TO the irony OF
fate. which had disguised me so eff
Fectually that l actually had TO remind
her that once we had been friends.
She had greeted me as n stranger, and
realized directly that I had become
l mentioned the fact at oysters that
once l had the honor OF her friendship,
and she slipped her sauterne daintily
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. put
ting up her gold lorgnette in order the
better TO investigate so curious bit of
ancient. forgotten history. Yes, l
think 1 remember you perfectly Did
you say we were once engaged? 1t
has escaped my memory. but | dare
say we We're. and l will take your word
for 1t, Mr.. Du Barri. Why. of course,
1 remember you how, We used TO 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 l threw you over.
Well. you do not bear the marks of il.
You look very prosperous und-as If
you thoroughly enjoyed your dinner"
We had reached fish. Il delicious
carp cooked i'm wine and accompanied
by Johannisberger. / have an excel
lent digestion, and / am bound to con-
fess that the proximity of my old love
had not impaired my appreciation of Il
good dinner. The chef Mt the National
was an accomplished artist. and l was
doing full justice to the carp when
she made the remark with the saucy
turn of the head / remembered so
well.
Shakespeare was right" she went
on pathetically. Men have died be-
fore. and worms have eaten them, but
not for love-"
This was really barbaric OF her
when one considered the millionaire's
purse. the becoming widows weeds
and the debutante daughter. but long
continued suffering had made me
strong.
"Oh. If you're going to quote poetry"
said / carelessly, Il believe some writ
er has said somewhere that True love
nightly likes his ease and has an eye
for a dinner"
She flashed an appreciative glance at
me from the corner of her dark eye.
Exactly my sentiments. too, Mr.. Du
Barri," she said. "And. by the way,
did you ever taste anything better than
this filet de beuf? L wonder how he
mana Ses to cook IL so much better than
any one else can. I've ordered their
best champagne in honor of it"
IF a man has a clean conScience'-I
began, eying her sharply.
"And a clean shirt" she put in, smil-
ing inscrutably.
HE is apt to enjoy his dinner"
eff it's a good one" she amended.
AT this juncture the head waiter
served larded sweetbreads a la Meis-
soniere and with a knowing look plac-
ed a dusky bottle OF Chateau Latour
before me. He whisked a salad de
laitue before us and disappeared with
an air of triumph. He was right 1
quite forgot what was about to say,
my thoughts being thoroughly distract
ed for the moment
MANS love is of mans life n thing
apart" she quoted softly as the plom-
biere aux fraises was put before us.
&" Ills a woman's whole existence"
She bestowed so ravishing n glance
upon me that I was nearly undone,
but / recalled her cold indifference at
the oyster period and remained calm. |
I, too. in my turn became as sweet and
cold as the strawberry ice l 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 impossi-
bilities.
Its so delightful meeting you like |
this" she murmured. 81 hope we shall |
renew our old friendship. Are you stop |
ping long at LucerneT
L rrrnc inst Gnichir,or a finr crna rl-lino |