The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1907-05-23

minutes to my account"
The women gazed at each other.
One laughed and the other smiled, it
was the English girl who laughed this
time. | liked the sound of 1t better
than any | had yet heard.
(Pardon another parenthesis. |
hope you haven't begun to think | am
the hero of this comedy. Let it be
furthest from your thoughts. | am
only passive bystander.)
Il sincerely trust that your hunger
is appeased," said the one who had
smiled
1T is, thank you" I absently fun
bled in my coat pockets, then guitily
dropped my hands. What a terrible
thing habit is!
you may smoke" said the Bou-
guereau child who was grown into
womanhood Wasn't that fine of her?
And wasn't it rather observant too?
| learned later that she had brother
who was fond of tobacco. To her eyes
my movement was a familiar one.
with your kind permission, said
gratefully. | hadn't had smoke in
four hours.
owned single good cigar, the last
of my importation. | lighted it and
blew forth snowy billow of heavenly
aroma. | know something about hui
man nature. even the feminine side of
it, A presentable young man with a
roll of aromatic tobacco seldom fails
to win the confidence of those about
him. With that cloud of smoke the
raw edge of formality smoothed down.
Had you any particular destina
tion ?" asked Gretchen.
None at all. The road took my
fancy, and simply followed it."
"Ah! that is one of the pleasures OF
Iiding-to so wherever the inclination
bids | ride
We were getting on famously.
DO you take long journeys l in
quired.
"Often. 1t is the most eXhilarating
of sports" said the Bnchantment.
many things that charm and engage
your interest; the mountains the wa
terways, the old ruins. Have you ever
whistled to the horses afield and
watched them come galloping down to
the wall? 1t is fine. In England"
But her mouth closed suddenly. She
was talking to a stranger. ."
| love enthusiasm in a woman. 1t
coors her cheeks and makes her eyes
sparkle. | grew bit bolder.
Il heard a wonderful voice as | ap
preached the CASTLE" said |.
Gretchen shrugged.
81 haven't heard it's equal outside
Berlin or Paris, / went ON.
"Paris?" said Gretchen, laying
neat little trap for me into which my
conceit was soon to tumble me- Paris
is marvellous city"
There is no city to equal it. lnas
much as we three shall never meet
again, will you not do me the honor to
repeat that jewel song from Faust?"
My audacity did not impress her. in
the least.
You can scarcely expect me to give
a supper to a stranger and then sing
for him, besides" said Gretchen, a
chill again stealing into her tones.
These Amerlcans!' she observed to
ner companion in French:
| laid aside my cigar, approached the
piano, and sat down. l struck few
chords and found the instrument to be
in remarkable good order J played a
Chopin "Polonaise," l tlnkled Grleg's
'Papillon," then | ceased
"That is to pay for my supper" |
explained.
Next played lie Courier. and when
/ had finished that turned again, ris-
ing.
"That is to pay for my horses sup
per" / said
Gretchen's good humor returned
"Whoever you are, sir" her tone no
longer repelent, you are amusing.
Pray tell us whom we have the honor
to entertain?"
81 haven't the vaguest idea who my
hostess s,'--eyasiyely
1T is quite ont of the question. You
are the intruder"
Call me Mr.. Intruder, then" said |.
1t was, you will agree, "a novel ad-
venture. / was beginning to enjoy it
hugely,
WHO do you suppose this fellow
is?" Gretchen asked.
HE says he is an American, and |
believe he is. What Americans are in
Barscheit?'
81 know of none at all. What shall
we do TO get rid of him?"
All this was carried on with un-
studied rudeness. They were women
of high and noble quality; and as
was an intelloper, | could take no eX-
eeption to conversation in Ian
guage | had stated l did not under
stand If they were rude, | had acted
in a manner unbecoming gentleman.
Still | was somewhat on the defen-
siye took out my watch. My hour
was up.
Il regret that | must be off | said
ruefully. 1T is much pleasanter here
than on the road"
Il can not ask you to remain here.
You will find the inn a very comfort
able place for the night" was Gretch
ems suggestion.
Before j so, may | ask In what
manner ! might serve as witness?"
Ere the words lfad fully crossed my
lips / recognized that my smartness
had caused me to commit an unpar-
donable blunder for a man who wished
TO show up Well in an adventure Of
this sort (But fate had a hand in II,
as presently you shall see.)