Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-02

of je ne sails quot. Can you take me some
where where 1 can find romance?'
The cocher smiled affably and made a
beautiful gesture with both hands and his
two eyes, a gesture that seemed to say,
But find monsieur a romance? Nom dun
chieni 1t is of an unbelievable easiness.
Leave everything to me-" He was funny
little man, pot-bellied, red of nose and
scanty gray of hair. He had no teeth to
speak of.
Monsieur would be thinking of the Bou-
levard St Michele" he suggested with con-
fdence.
No said I, firmly, monsieur would be
thinking of no such thing The Bour
Niche Is not in the least romantic, and
you know it. It's only absurd and squalid
and mercenary. Romantic? Great heaven!
Here, set me down at a cafe any old cafe.
the d'Alencon. 1 tell you there's no more
romance lei bas.''
I got down sadly at the Cafe dAlencon
in the Place de Rennes. The dial high
over the big facade of the Care Montpar-
naSse said IL 10. The terrasse of the cafe,
brilliant under it's sputtering lights, was
nearly full and NJ. Thuriet. fat, smiling.
comfortable, beamed presiding deity from
the background. He said that NJ. Living
stone and NJ Rogers had been in earlier
and had gone, but that there were deux on
trois Anglais still within; for example, the
grand monsieur who had come with mon
sieur hier soir Mac-quelque chose.
"Ah," said T. Mackenzie, Sir Gavin
Mackenzie" But certainly M. Mackenzie.
together with another stranger non pas
Anglais, Italien peut etre, Autrichien, one
would have certain difficulty in saying.
/ went inside, made my bow to madame
the Dame du Compton. exalted upon her
throne, and looked about the room.
There were few at the little tables, nearly
every one had chosen the soft scented air
outside under the awning, but Sir Gavin
was sitting over in the far corner behind
glass of whisky and water. No French
connections for Mackenzie. And with him
was the other stranger, Italien peut etre,
Autrichien, one would have a certain diff
Guilty in saying.
mo, not Italian" scid to myself; Aus
TRAN, possibly" Yes. one would have a
certain difficulty in saying. He would be
about forty. from appearances, though his
head and MacKenze's were of an equal
grayness, and Mackenzie was a good fifty
or more. But the other mans skin looked
younger than his hair would warrant.
There were none of the creases that age
burrows in the neck, under. the ears or
across the forehead or in the cheeks. To
be sure. his face was lined strongly, but
with vicissitude. one would say, not years
He had great dark eyes under extraordi-
nary bushy and prominent brows, and the
skin under and about them was dark He
had a jutting nose, strong and hawk-like.
and mouth that shut to firm hard line
over a jaw which said danger. His cheeks
were lean, followed a bit under the bone,
and across one there was a saber scar He
wore small, grizzled mustache, and his
hair, gray, as have said, was scant above
the temples. He would not be above me-
dunn height, but he had a most singular
breadth Of shoulders. He made a curious
contrast to MacKenzie's square Scotch
bulk and professional closely cropped NUT
ton-chop whisker
1 hesitated a moment over joining the
two In their corner, but turned away with
a little laugh upon receiving from Sir Gavin
curt and most ungenial nod.
"MacKenzfe's something on his mind. I"
said I, setting myself at table Hes
chap-Oh. anything-I don't care what
Grand Mariner, I think" to the waiter
l saw Mackenzie speak to his companion.
who turned and favored me with the Keen
est glance of scrutiny I remember ever
to have received.
said l over my little glass of Grand Marn-
ier Il wouldn't hurt a cat and I've COM
mitted no crimes that can recall at the
moment"
The two conferred an instant, heads to-
gether. and then Mackenzie raised a beck
oning finger. I told the waiter to bring
over my glass and crossed to the corner
Creighton" said the Scotsman, "allow
me to present you to Colonel Won Altdorf -
The colonel rose and made q ceremoni-
GUS little bow. heels together. tried to
look as impressive. Then, when we were
seated. no one seemed inclined to say any,
thing: The settled gloom upon the faces Of
Mackenzie and Colonel Won Altdorf re-
manned unlightened-indeed, II anything IL
seemed to grow more deep.
Beautiful evening"" said firmly, after
silence that bade fair to last the night
out.
Yes, yes-shockin'." said Mackenzie abb
sently
But It's all wasted" erieyed with a
sigh What's the good Of springtime COM