Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-20
DAILY STORY
A DIPLOMATIC POINTER.
IOriginal. !

was generally conceded that Mrs.
Compton was of a superior grade to
her husband-that is, she had the
mannerisms of society, which her hus-
band had not. Mr.. Compton laughed
rather loud, while Mrs. Compton laugh
cd very softly, though an expert in
caste would have detected that 1t was
rather artificial than natural.
The minister from Aurania-there is
no such country as Aurania; the name
is used to stand for a kingdom which
it would not do to mention openly-be-
came devoted to Mrs. Compton. Either
this or Mrs. Compton became devoted
to the ambassador. We must have a
name for the minister, so we will call
him the Marquis of Caribas. He was
regarded as one of the brightest of the
diplomatic corps and withal the most
reticent. He had way of furnishing
items to reporters without giving them
information which, though it did not
satisfy. never antagonized them.
Marquis" said Mrs. Compton one
evening when with the ambassador,
there is rumor that the war between
your people and the WiSterians"-an
other fictitious name-"is about to
cease. I hear the United States will
intervene"
"All depends upon the emperor of
Wisteria.'
Indeed! What do you Auranians
expect him to do?"
I'VE expect him to do nothing
THAT implies that he is bent on do
ing something"
IF so it is the first time he has ever
done anything. He is the LATEST SOY
ereign on the face of the EARTH
Il thought possibly that you would
trust me just little since we have be
come such good friends" said the lady.
with a hurt expression. Il don't see
how you diplomats ever marry: you
must always have secrets from the wo-
man who loves you"
AS Mrs. Compton spoke the last
words she looked up meaningly at the
marquis.
My dear Mrs. Compton" he replied.
81 know nothing as yet of the subject
you are mentioning. Ask me some
thing that l know-the methods, for
instance. by which we diplomats act
and / will show you that any woman
who-who loves me will be repaid for
her DEVOTION
''Well, then. how do you communi-
cate important information to your
sovereign without having it known to
the word?"
by a cipher code"
"What is your code:"
'It is too complicated to make you
familiar with it except by considerable
| instruction
Mrs. Compton pondered: then she
asked, Whats your word for peace?''
Pax" replied the marquis.
PAX? What funny word! What's
your word for ware
"Vobiscum."
"PaX and vobiscum! Seems to me
I've heard something like that some
where
| Mrs. Compton had made Il step in a
| plan she had formed and began t.
consider her next one. Presently she
added:
| Promise me one thing"
Anything"
| Telephone me when you are about
to send your cablegram on this subjec
to your sovereign"
IF there is time
keep me posted as to when you ex
pect the matter to be settled, and
| will go at moments notice"
II promise"
A few days later Mrs. Compton was
summoned to the Auranian embassy
Calling carriage, she proceeded thith
er at a rapid pace. She was ushereC
into the marquis private office.
Il am sending an important message
to my government" he said. 1T il
impossible without betraying a sacret
trust to show it to you. l am goin!
into the other office for a few moments
and you will he alone here
He looked meanlngly at paper lyini
on his desk and went out. Mrs. Comp
ton rushed to the paper and ran he
eye over Il number of words which t
her were meaningless But one attract
ed her attention-the word pax. Whel
the marquis returned she gave him
look Indicating her profound apprecia
ton of his act. Returning to her hote
she found her husband waiting for hel
"Well?" he exclaimed eagerly.
ITS peace"
Without word he rushed to his tell
phone and, calling up his New Yor
stockbroker, ordered him to buy n mi
lio2 in Auranian bonds Immediately.
Mr.. and Mrs. Compton's expectato
that peace would be announced an
the bonds rise in price was disappoin
ed. There was no intervention. II
! peace. She did not see the Marquis G
Carabas again, for he soon after too
his vacation. The bonds sank in pric,
and Mr.. Compton's were sold out at
loss
II One day the couple went to a Roma
! Catholic church to hear some fine mi
sic, and during the services the prizes
pronounced the words PAX robiscum
They looked at each other meaningl,
LATER meeting n Driest Mrs ComDtO