Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-03-29

In one moment" he said. "You viii
| pardon me-" and he disappeared
through the doorway.
He was back almost at once with {
handful OF cigarets, which he placed
on he table. Then he drew up q chair
With a little deprecatory gesture, ht
used one Of my matches to light "a CT.
garet.
1T was truly for the gas" he said
catching my smile; and the gas fol
the cigaret!"
There was something fascinating
about the man; an air Of good humor
OF comradeship. of strength, of pur-
pose. My eyes We're caught by his
stodgy, nervous hands, as he held the
match to his cigaret; then they wan
dered TO his face-to the black hair
fecked here and there with gray; to
the bright, deep-set eyes, aInbushed
under heavy brows; to the full lips
which the carefully-arranged mustache
did not at all conceal; to the project
ing chin, with its little plume of an
imperial. A strong face and a not un-
handsome one. with a certain look OF
mastery about tt
1T Is true that / need advice" he
was saying, as he slowly exhaled q
great puff Of smoke which he had
drawn deep into his lungs. MY name
Is Martigny-Jasper Martigny"-I
nodded by way of salutation-"and
am from France, as you have doubtless
long since suspected. 1t Is my desire
10 become q citizen Of Amer-rie'."
How long have you been living in
America % / asked.
Since two months only. 1t is my
intention to establish here q business
in wines
Well" 1 explained, "you can take
no steps TOWARD naturalization for three
Unl PC fThnn NyD,, pA E141ro .---.
and make a declaration of your inten-
tons. Two years later, you will get
your papers"
You mean" he hesitated, -that it
takes so many years"
Five years actual residence-yes."
But" and he hesitated again, II had
understood that-that-"
That it was easier? There are IL
legal avs, Of course; but you can
scarcely expect me TO advise you con-
corning them. Mr.. Martigny."
NO; OF course, MOI" he cried hastily,
waving his and in disclaimer. II did
not know-it makes nothing to mel
will wait-I wish to obey the laws"
He picked up a fresh cigaret, lit It
end.
VIII you not try one?" he asked,
seeing that my pipe was finished, and /
presently found myself enjoying the
best cigaret l had ever smoked. You
comprehend French-no?"
Not well enough to enjoy it." l
said.
II am sorry-I believe you would like
this book which 1 am reading" and he
pulled a somewhat tattered volume
from his pocket. II have read It, oh,
YER many times, as we'll as all the 9TH
ers-though this, Of course, is the
masterpiece"
He held it so that I could see the title.
1t was Monsieur Lecoq."
L have read 1t in English" l said.
And did you not like it-yes? I am
YER fond Of stories of detection. That
is why l was SO absorbed in that affair
of Mees-Mees-ah. l have forgotten!
Your names are so difficult for me-"
Miss Holiday" 1 said.
"Ah, yes; and has that mystery ever
arrived at a solution?"
No" l said. Unfortunately, we
haven't any Monsieur Lecoqs on our
detective force"
"Ah. no." he smiled. and the young
lady-in her / conceived a great inter-
est, even though I did not see her-how
Is n 2"
1.-The shock was a little too much for
l said. She's gone out to her
country place TO rest. She'll soon be all
right again. 1 hope"
80 A@A thN 4" III 4 L w
was lighting 1t carelessly, with his
half turned away from me. /
how flushed his neck was.
"Oh, undoubtedly" he agreed, after
a moment; "at least, l should be most
to think otherwise. But it Is late;
| perceive that you are weary; 1 thank
you for your kindness"
Not at ALL" l protested. IT hope
you'll come in whenever you feel lone
ly."
"A thousand thanksl I shall avail
OF you invitation. My part
ment is just across the hall" he added,
rs l opened the door. Il trust to see
You there"
You SHALL" I said heartily, and babe
him good night.
In the week that followed, I saw a
good deal of Martigny. I would meet
him on the stairs or in the hall: he
again to see me, and | returned
his visit two nights later, upon which
he produced two bottles of
Yquem OF q delicacy beyond
all praise. And l grew more and more
to like him--he told me many stories
Of Paris. which. II seemed, had always
been his home, with a wit to which his
accent and formal utterance gave
new point; he displayed a kindly in
terest In my plans which was very
pleasing; he was always tactful, cour-
good humored. He was plainly
4 b~oulevardier. q man Of the world,
with an outlook upon life a little star
Ting In its materiality, but interest
ing In its freshness, and often amusing
its frankness. And he seemed to re-
turn my liking-certainly Ii was ne who
sought me, not / who sought him. He
was being delayed, he explained, in es-
-ablishing his business; he could not
get just the quarters he desired, but In