Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-02-18

guise of an official recall to
the sterner romance of the Secret Ser
vice and the custody of the ~ Papers
fell ON our cruise round the Bay of
Naples.
On my arrival at headquarters my
sole instructions We're to convey the
sealed packet to the frontier and hold
it there till 'the authorized one" should
arrive to relieve me of my responsible
ity.
Under the circumstances the best
course was to rejoin my bride in order
that our sojourn on the frontier might
appear but an extension of our we'd
ding tour, and this indeed it was, only
always on my person l carried the hid
den incubus of the "X" Papers.
The authorized one" delayed longer
than l had anticipated, but the days at
the Schwitzerhoff passed, if not so glo-
riously as in the Naples bay still pleas
antly enough. l was, in fact, discover
ing all days We're delightful, wherever
spent, if passed with Kirstine! But l
did not enjoy them as exclusively with
my bride as l could have wished for
she (bless her dear warm hearth had
befriended lonely little Frenchwom-
an at the pension.
Poor little Nine. Dutour! According
to her pitiful half admissions to my
wife she had been brought up in a con-
vent and married-a marriage de con-
venance - almost from its portals
scarcely two months ago, but monsieur
apparently failing to find her amusing,
had left her at the Schwitzerhoff to
seek more varied joys at Monte Carlo.
SO it happened that l was left alone
in the pension garden, rolling cigar
cites one morning while Kristine and
Stephanie exchanged condolences.
My reverle was interrupted by an
uitra-sentimental rendering of the
'Star of Eve" from "Tannhauser" in q
thin, somewhat breathless baritone.
The singer was evidently sublimely un-
conscious of the lurking servant of the
law, who was, with professional habit.
making mental notes to the effect that
his height was five eight, physique
thin and nervous, clothes good and
new, that the knottel fingers loosely
clasping an ornately decorated pocket
book behind his back We're smoke-yel-
lowed, and that the deep blue of his
cheeks and upper lip indicated q des-
perate struggle with nature on what
she had previously intended to be a
luXuriantly covered surface.
As the singer passed me in a very
ecstasy of Sweetness long drawn out"
just tride fiat, by the bye-the
pocketbook slipped from his uncon-
scious fingers.
Z 1t was a bore, but q conscientious
man was bound to sacrifice seques-
tered repose and return to the artist
soul the property he had lost in the
emotions of Wagner-just half tone
too low!
Monsieur, thousand thanks" The
artist spoke excellent French. "You
have saved my porte-monnaie but
more-far more, besides"'
Then he bowed profoundly, futtered
a sheaf of notes from the now opened
poclletbook and displayed an inner re-
ceptacle mysteriously closed.
This contains souvenir--very prec-
ious. 1t is for this, monsieur, that !
thank you with all my heart"
+ l was for bowing my acknowledge
ments and departing, but at that mo-
ment the lunch bell rang.
"Monsieur will permit me-" The
singer bowed vaguely between the pen
sion and my person. 81 arrived only
last night. This place has memories,
monsieur-memorics-memories"
1t was impossible to refuse his prof
fered company; besides, on nearer in
spection, he was more interesting.
There was no trace of emotion in his
hard, watchful eyes.
On the hotel steps we were greeted
by Kirstinc and Nine. Dutour, and.
since my new friend remained, l per-
force presented him to the ladies' In
his elfusiye gratitude for my ridicu-
1ously small service he had thrust a
card announcing him to be the Prince
di Congratza upon me as we walked.
"Oh, Maurice" said my wife as VIC
walked toward the salon, the guides
say that now the weather has cleared
we ought to DO the Zenner Pass befor,
the snow melts. Stephanie and | have
planned it all for tomorrow, if you ap
prove"
"Well, well. we shall see" / replied
noncommittally.
Monsieur, there is absolutely NJ
danger" cried the Prince. II know
every inch of the pass, and if you vii
allow me l will act cicerone TO mes
danes, but, since monsieur is nervous
for the ladies' sake alone. of course.
he added, with politeness which il
any but an over-clyilized country woult
be allowed its only just requital, "w
will consult the trusty guides
Hans and Amsler were called befor
/ could interfere. They smiled cour
teously at the suggestion OF danger OF