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

+, reconcile myself to the whole business
| You don't mind meeting dEsse?''
| No said Wilson, somewhat lingering
| ly. People say he's the best raconteur
in Europe But, great Scott: what a
cropper to have come, A man of birth
And now hiring himself out for a dinner
| like a green-Grocer.. WHAT on earth
tempted him, 1 wonder:"
II fancy they could tell you something
about that at the Paris Jockey Club and
at Monte Carlo and Ostend, and other
places were men get rid of money" Sau-
marez answered Make a note of We'd
nesday. old chap Dinners at S. and
I'm told The Chief likes to be punctual
III tell YOU what. l should like to
compare notes with you when the whole
thing is over. Send your bag up, dress
with me- and stop the night. VIII that
suit you?"
Perfectly" said Wilson, and the talk
drifted TO other topics.
The two men parted early, Saumarez
going back 10 his briefs and Wilson 10
his books, and they saw no more of
each other until the night OF the appoint
ment. Wilson. in accordance with the
arrangement made, timed himelf to reach
his friends house at about 4 o'clock, and
as he left his chambers for that purpose.
he discovered that ii waas showing heavi-
ly. II was in the very heart CT winter,
and within week of Christmas. Will
son had meant TO walk. but a single
glance at the weather determined him to
take a cab. His chambers were on the
first floor of modern set of residential
mansions. and he ran nilnbly uptairs for
whistle which lay upon his sitting-room
mantelpiece. AS he reached the landing
he narrowly escaped collision with a
portly gentleman who was feeling his
way along the railing of the bannsters,
and he raised his hat in apology.
If You will wait for one moment, sir"
he said, II will turn on the light"
.Plait-il?" questioned the stranger.
Wilson repeated himself in fluent
French.
Ali" cried the stranger. Monsieur
parle francais Quel bonheur,''
Wilson touched an electric button, and
in the light which instantly filled the
corridor. saw before him the most oistin.
Gnished-loosing parsonage he had ever
heheld He was tall and robustly built.
and the first glance proclaimed him
French Of the French. His hair was
closely cropped. but he wore a sweeping
mustache and a handsome imperial.
These. like his hair. were white as snow,
but his finely -arched eyebrows We're
cold black. and the contrast added to the
expression of a face which was full of
dignity. His linen, his boots and his
gloves We're faultless but his coat was a
t'ifle shabby and threadbare, though the
tiny red rosette in the buttonhole of the
lapel was in better keeping with the
wearer's aspect.
If / can be of service to Monsieur"
said Wilson, 81 shall be enchanted
ut may be possible" the stranger an
swered. for Monsieur to be of the very
greatest service
1t is proper enough that Kentucky
Pray come in said Wilson. throw
ing open the door of his chambers and
turning on the light The distinguish
ed looking stranger entered. hat in hand
AS Wilson turned to face him and to
sign him TO a chair a look of embarrass-
ment stole over him and obscured his
dignity. His color changed and the
gloved hand with which he smoothed
silk hat which was not of the latest
fashion. trembled perceptibly
Il beg pardon" he said at last; II
find it impossible to offer the request
for which l had thought myself pre-
pared. If Monsieur Will forgive this
momcntary intrusion I will be obliged
The accent and the manner were alike
mpeccable. VIVA tever else the man was
he had been bred amongst gen:laman.
ii was no mere actors performance"
of a gentlenan's part, and Wilson, whose
way OF life gave him occasional glimpses
of the brightest orbs in the armament of
the great world had experience and in
tuition enough to know it for the real
thing. He thanked hearca quite pious-
~ for the six years spent in a Partisan
lycce as he answered:
Monsieur was so good as TO indicate
a minute ago that might be Of ser
vice" He moved and closed the door
behind him. Then he advanced chair
by an inch or two and made a gesture
which invited bis visitor to be seated.
The stranger remained s,anoi ls and
smoothed the silk hat with a shasias
hand.
Sir he said at last. II will be candid
with you. / am gentleman. and
have been a man of fortune. I came to
~, Sv, taFE hat 3