The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-03-29

In 0ne moment. assault You Nil
reion me-, aasl ha d~la-,ppeare.
Through the doorway
lie VAS back almOS lit s4a1c Wtth
handful OF etsarets. WATCH ,.e place.
os the table. Then he drew up a chair
Wlth 4 LITTLE ~deprecator! gesture. IA,
nsed n OF my matches - ligaJ u eli
garet.
1t was truly for the gas. he said
eatehins my snile' and the gas foi
the cigareti"
There was something fascinating
about the man; an air Of good huluor
OF conradeship. of strength. of puy-
pose. My eyes We're caught by his
stodgy. nervous hands, as he held ih<
dered to his face-to the black hait
fiecked here and there with gray: to
the bright, deep-set eyes, alnbushed
under heavy brows; TO the full lips.
which the carefully-arranged mustache
did not at all conceal; to the project
iils cnln. with Its little plume of an
imperial. A strong face and a not I'M
handsome one. with a certain look of
mastery about it
1t is true that l need advice" he
was saying. as he slowly exhaled a
great puff of smoke which he had
drawn deep into his lungs. My name
is Neutrality-suspicious. Martigny"-I
nodded by way of salutation-'and l
am from France, as you have doubtless
long since suspected. 1t is my desire
to become a citizen of Amer-ric'."
How long have you been living in
American l asked.
Since two months only. 1t is my
intention to establish here a business
in wines.
Well" l explained. you IAN take
no steps toward naturalization for three
years. Then you go before a court
and make a declaration of your inten-
lions. 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 ways. 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 HAND in disclaimer. II did
not know-it makes nothing to mel
Will wait-1 wish to obey the laws"
He picked UP a fresh cigaret. lit it
from the other and tossed away the
end.
VIII you not try one?" he asked.
seeing that my pipe was finished, and 1
presently found myself enjoying the
best cigaret I had ever smoked. You
comprehend French-noo"
Not we'll enough to enjoy it,"
said.
II am sorry-I believe you would like
this book which 1 am reading" and he
from his pocket. II have read II 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 uyl sMNpCfny,r r 1@@-
Il have read 1t in English" I 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. 1 have forgotten!
Your names are SO difficult for me-"
Miss Holiday" I said.
"Ah, yes; and has that mystery ever
arrived at a solution?" |
NO" said. Unfortunately. we
haven't n Monsieur Lecoqs on our
detective force"
"Ah. no." he smiled. "And the young
ady-1n her I conceived a great inter-
est, even though did not see her-how
is she?"
The shock was a little too much for
said. She's gone out to her
country place to rest. She'll soon be ali |
right again, l hope"
he had taken a third cigaret. and
was Lighting it carelessly, with his
Lay nan luIileu away from me. L
how flushed his neck was.
ooh. undoubtedly" he agreed. after
a moment; a least. 1 should be most
to think otherwise. But it is late: |
l perceive that o are weary; I thank
you for your Kindness"
Not at ALL" I protested. 81 hope
you'll come in whenever you feel lone.
~"
"A thousand thanks! I shall avail
myself Of your invitation. My apart
lnent is just across the hall" he added.
as l opened the door. y trust to see
you there"
You SHALL" I said heartily, and babe
him good night.
IN ttse week that followed. I saw a
good deal Of Martigny. would meet
him on the stairs or in the hall; he
again to see me, and I returned
his visit wv nights later, upon which
occasion he produced two bottles of
Yquem of a d~elicacy beyond
all praise. And l grew more and more
70 70 IKE hlm.he told me many stories
OF Paris, which. it seemed, had always
been his home. with a wit to which his
slight accent and formal utterance gave
new point; he displayed a kindly i'm
terest in my plans which was very
pleasing; he was always tactful, cour-
teous, good humored. He was plainly
a b~oulevardier, a MAJ of the world.
with an outlook upon life a little star.
Ting III Its materiality. but interest
ing in its freshness, and often am,,sinp
in its frankness. And he seemed to rec
turn my lking-certainly it was he who
sought me, not l who sought him. He
was being delayed. he explained. In as
tablishing his business; he could not
get just the quarters he desired. hut in
MI177l