The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-05-22
CHAPTER VIII.
THE AMERICAN.

CHAPTER VIII.
 THE AMERICAN "HE clatter without continued un-
 abated, and Ethel and the count
 ess walked back to the terrace
 rampant to stand looking out over the glorious bay.
 Horace still in the seventh heaven of delighted realization, took the Daily Mail from the table on which the earl had thrown it and seated himself to read beside Lady Creech, who was al- ready deep in the Church Register. The earl had buried himself in the Pail Mall Gazette and was apparently ob- livious to such minor details as an Italian peasant row.
 But to Horace in his highly strung condition of nerves the uproar was az gravating, and he called to Mariana, who was busily setting the table again:
 "Mariano, how long is this noise to continue?"
 The maitre d'hotel shrugged his ex- pressive shoulders and replied:
 How can I know, m'sieu? We can do nothing
 Michele. who was assisting his chief. smiled covertly at the young man.
 "The populace they will not be de part so long as there shall be the chance once again to observe the North American who pulled the auto mobile with the donkeysr'
 '.Merci!' cried Mariana, with vigor ''He have confuse me. He have con- fuse everybody. He will not be con tent with the dejeuner until he have the ham and the egg. and he will have the egg cooked upon but one of two sides, and. how in the name of the heaven can we tell which of these two sidesf'
 Mariana was about to continue his grumbling complaint when from the doorway of the hotel there came an in terruption. The courier who had spo- ken with him earlier in the morning stood there and voiced but one word.
 "Garcon!' he said softly. But it was like the command of a cavalry officer in its effect, for instantly the maitre d'hotel and his aid stood at attention like trained veterans. The earl evi- dently was not too deeply immersed to catch the sudden silence. for he looked up from his paper and observed:
 Upon my soul! Who's this?"
 Mariana did not turn his head nor relax his attitude of stiff attention, but answered obsequiously:
 ''It is the Herr von Grollerhagen, a German gentleman, milord.''
 Hawcastle turned with an amused smile to Horace. > 'aThe man who owns the automobile. Probably made a fortune in sausage"
 From within the hotel there came the tones of a heavy though cultivated voice declaiming quietly:
 "Nein, nein, Ribiere! s macht nichtsw
 And instantly there came down the steps the German gentleman aforesaid. He was tall and of commanding presence. He wore a grayish beard and an automobile cap that half con- cealed the eyes that burned with the authority of generations beneath. Withal it was a kindly face, and, though there was stern command in the figure. there was genial humor and even tenderness too. By no au- thority could he have been considered well dressed. His clothes seemed rath- CT to have been thrown on negligently. The little party at the table regarded him with hostility, and Lady Creech turned up her aristocratic nose.
 What a dreadful personr' she said and turned again to her paper.
 The German walked sedately across the terrace to the table where the two servitors still stood at attention and lifted his hand in a curt half military salute in acknowledgement of their bow.
 See to my American friend" he said
 What a terrible personv' remarked Lady Creech again, and Hawcastle bent toward her.
 Undoubtedly, but he speaks Eng fish. So be careful
 ''So many objectionable people do," commented the crusty dame.
 Herr von GroIlerhagen turned smil- ingly to Mariana.
 My American friend desires his na- tionaI dish.'
 Mariana bowed.
 "Yes. Herr von Grollerhagen," re- have the eggs on but one of two sides and the ham fried, so he go to cook it himself
 Von Grollcrhagen smiled. when from without the gates came shout of amusement and wild laughter. Mari ano instantly bowed and ran toward the hotel.
 "Har' he said eagerly. He return from the kitchen with that national dish"
 Michele emerged from the hotel