The Washington herald., 1906-10-18

us try to forget. We have a day or two
before US which we may enjoy-after that,
for me at least. the deluge"'
She cried out suddenly: Capt. Eager
holml Col Elliott
The gentlemen hurried TO her delighted
10 have been recalled 10 grace. Crossing
ham noted with amaze that each was al
ready a devoted slave-even the colonel.
in spite Of his three-score years and
patchwork liver.
Il am going TO give & dinner party
said madame "a dinner party on deck;
may I ~
why. certainly said the CAPTAIN
heartily. That is. provided you invite
me-"
As if there were need for that pro-
viso, said madame with a look that
brought a flush 10 the captains cheeks
I My guests shall be- His Highness
Prince-Carl0s you call him. is IL not so
Lord Francis. Col Elliott. and you. cap
tain-ah, you will have the place of honor
on my right hand; are you not my guar
dian, ehg' She gave a ripping, mellow
laugh Then, after dinner. if you are
very good, l shall feed you with sugar
plums as a reward Of virtue. Are you not
charmed?"
Utterly. madame" responded all.
Then to you. captain. l give the task
OF seeing that everything is properly pre-
pared. Let me see; first, we shall have
shellhsh-with Sauterne; second, SOUP
| tJulien) with claret, say MedOc; next. q
single entree. say quail roasted. with as
paragus and Clipped potatoes-and the
VINE, something light, all, yes. Lachryma
| Christi. that viii do Then the piece de
resistance: an. you English I must study
you In this-well. then. roast beef: we
| Shal call il bOeuf rot, so that everybody
may be satisfied: with that. two wines.
Heidsieck for you men, for me Veuve
Cicquot. NeXt-ah, you need not lift I'd
your hands. you men; / also, although a
woman. detest pastry. but l shall allow
you 10 have cheese and cafe-avec. then
with NE Benedictine or Chartreuse. Does
the menu please yOu?'
Madame. YOU are n perfect hostessr'
cried the colonel for all.
Ihen' captain, see to it; my reputation
Is IN your hands. It is now IL; We
shall dine at S, and here where the deck
Is SO nice and wide, by the light of the
stars and electricity"
Madame ratified on and kept her court
the whole day occupied with her pretty
coquetries and light-hearted merriment.
She showed herself a perfect mistress of
the art OF entertainment and not a dun
moment was allowed to any near her. so
fun she was Of life and sparkling spirits.
so nuent her conversation, so manifold
her MOODS and methods Of engroSsing
male attention. Only Prince Carlos kept
from her. jealous perhaps OF Crossing
nam. lie remained below deck all day.
and when called to dinner put in his ap-
peaTance taTdily and with a manner OF
manifest reluctance. But madame soon
changed all that She seemed deter
mined that her party should prove an un-
qualified success, and that all her guests
should be entirely pleased Therefore to
the prince she showed herself so gracious.
so meltingly cOquettish, that presently he
was charmed from his reserve. And Vet
so perfect was her art that not for a sec
ond did any other feel neglected To
each and. all with quick and sparkling
change was addressed a different charm
smile, a glance of witchery, or subtle
Establishment, and the while-never an in
slant still-the banded ball of CONVERSE
tion was flung back and forth between
the FIVE. gaining each tine II left madame
added luster from her sparkling wit.
Cressingham, who knew something by
experience CT madame's powers of fas-
cinatiOn, was nevertheless completely
daZZled by her latest effort, for never be-
fore had he witnessed her exert herself
so thoroughly to please. He was charmed
with the result, and reflected with a
measure Of sadness on the wantonness
with which nature had bestowed such
precious gifts. But the yacht had com
menced TO roll a little during the meal.
and the young man before long ceased TO
interest himself in idle speculation. IT
soon required a fierce effort on his part
even to keep his seat, yet he pretended to