The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-05-04
ing up with his pleasant. smile. Il know
everything. z
And he went on writing.


/ gun. A Russian table d'hote
= is anything but hilarious in
Its tendency. A certain number of
grave faced gentlemen and q few
broad JoWled ladies are visibly CON
strained by the force of circumstance
to dine at the same table and hour
and that is all. There is no pretense
that any more sociable and neighborly
motive has brought them together. In
deed, they each suspect the other of
being German or nihilist, or, worse
still, government servant.
The table d'hote Of the Hotel de
MOscou at Tver was no exception to
the general rule. In Russia, bv the
way, there are no exceptions to general
rules. The personal habits of the ma
tive of Cronstadt differ in no wav
from those of the cars subject living
In Petropavlovsk, 5000 miles away.
Around the long table of the host
were seated at respectable intervals a
dozen or more gentlemen, who cazed
stolid1y at each other from time to
time, while the host himself smiled
broadly upon them all.
OF these dozen gentlemen we have
only to deal with one-a man of broad
high forehead, Of colorless eyes of a
masklike face, who consumed what
was put before him with as little
noise as possible. known in Paris as
| that Vassili." this traveller.
N. Vassih was evidently DESTROYS of
attracting as little attention as circum-
stances would allow He was obvious
" doing his best to look like one who
Travelled in the interest of braid or
buttons. Moreover, when Claude de
| Chauxville entered the table d'hote
room he concealed whatever surprise
he may have felt behind cloud of
cigarette smoke. Through the same
blue haze he met the Frenchman's eve
a moment later without the faintest
twinkle of recognition.
These two worthless went through
the weird courses provided by cook
processing a knowledge of French
cuisine without taking any compromis-
ing notice Of each other. When the
meal was over Vassili inscribed the
number Of his bedroom in large fig
ures on the label of his bottle of wine,
after the manner of wise commercial
travellers in continental hotels. He
subsequently turned the bottle around
so that Claude de Chauxville could
scarcely fail to read the number, and,
with a vague and general bow, he left
the ROOM
Before long discreet knock at the
door of Vassili's room announced the
arrival of the expected visitor.
"Entrez" cried Vassili. And De
Chauxvi!le stood before him.
"a pleasure said Vassili behind his
wooden face. chat did not anticipate
in Tver''
"And consequently one that carries
Its; own mitigation. An unanticipated
pleasure, my friend, is always mop
| perfume. make no doubt that you
were sorry to see me.''
ION the contrary. Will you sit?"
II can hardly believe went on De
Chauxville, taking the proffered chair,
that my appearance was opportune-
on the principle, ha, ha, that flower
growing out Of place is weed! Gen
tlemen of the-eh-laeme Office prefer,
know, to travel quietly" He spread
out his expressive hands as if smooth
ing the path of NJ. vassili through this
stony world. "Incognito.'' he added
guilelessly.
zone does not publish ones name
from the house tops" replied the Rus
sian, with glimmer of pride in his
eyes, especially If it happen to be not
quite obscure; but between friends, my
dear baron-between friends
Eyes. Then what are you doing in
Tver?' inquired De Chauxville, with
engaging frankness.
"Ah, that Is long story! But I
will tell you-never fear-I will tell
you on the usual terms"
"And they are?' inquired the
Frenchman, lighting cigarette.
Vassili accepted the match with a
bow and did likewise He blew
guileless cloud Of smoke toward the
dirgy ceiling.
Exchange, my dear baron, ex.
change"
"Oh, certainlyw replied De Chaux.
Vile, who knew that Vassili was in all
probability fully informed as to his
movements past and prospective. II
am going to visit some old friends in
this government-the Lanovitches. at
Thors.'
"Ahv'
''You know them?''
Vassili raised his shoulders and
made a little gesture with his ciga.
rette as much as to say, "Why ask?'
De Chauxville looked at his compan-
Ion keenly. He was wondering wheth-
er this man knew that he Claude de
Chauxville) loved Eta Howard Alexis
and consequently hated her husband
He was wondering how much or how
little this impenetrable individual
knew and suspected.
II have always said" observed Vas
sill suddenly, that for tnmitigated i'm
pertinence give me a diplomatist.''
"Ah! And what would you desire
that I should for the same conn,ooditv