The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-14

She did not more than point the
way to a door, where presently |
found a bathroom, and so refresh
ed myself and made the best toilet
possible under the circumstances.
My hostess l found awaiting me
in the central room of the apart
ments. She was clad now in a
girdled peignOir of rich rose-color,
the sleeves, wide and full, falling
back from her round arms. Her
dark hair was coiled and piled high
ON her head this morning, regard
less of current mode, and confined
in heavy twist by a tall golden
comb; SO that her white neck was
left uncovered.
The little table in the center of
the room was already spread
Madam filled my cup from the
steaming urn with not the slightest
awkwardness, as she nodded for
me to be seated. We looked at
each other, and. as l may swear,
we both broke into saving laugh
ter.
Il was saying" she remarked
presently, that l would not have
you think that l do not appreciate
the suffering in which you were
plunged by the haste you found
necessary in the wedding of your
jeune file
But | was on my guard AT
least. l may thank you for your
sympathy, Madam" l replied
Yet in time" she went on, gone
reflective the next instant, you
will see how very unimportant is
all this turmoil of love and marri-
age. That torch of life." she
unused. See. 1t was only that
which you were so eager to pass
on to another generation. That
was why you were so mad to has
ten to the side of that woman.
Whereas" she unused still, "it were
so much grander and so much
nobler to pass on the torch OF a
principle as WE'LL"
DO not philosopher with me-"
| said. 81 am already distracted
by the puzzle you offer to me. You
in your judgment, so kind"
I'm turn, | ask you not to fol-
low that" she remarked coldly.
Let us talk of what you call,
think, business"
My dear lady" | began, my
relation to the affairs of the Amer
lean Republic is very humble
one. | am no minister of state,
and know you deal with ministers
direct. How, then. shall gain
your friendship for my country?
You are dangerous to have for an
enemy, Are you too high priced
to have for friend-for a friend
to our union-a friend of the prin-
ciple of democracy? Come now,
you enjoy large questions. Tell
me. what does this council mean
regarding Oregon? Is 1t true that
England plans now to concentrate
all her traders, all her troops, and
force them west up the Saskatche-
wan and into Oregon this coming
season? Come. now, Madam, is it
to be war;"
Her curved lips broke into a
smile that showed again her small
white teeth. .......
Were you. then, married." she
said
| only went on. impatient. ANY
moment may mean everything to
us. | should not ask these cues
tons If | did not know that you
were close to Mr.. Calhoun"
She looked me square in the
eye and nodded her head slowly. Il
may say this much, Monsieur, that
it has pleased me to gain a little
further information.
you will give my government
that information?"
why should II"
yet you spoke of others who
might come here. What others?
Who are they? The representa-
tives of Mexico? Some attache of
the British embassy at Washing
ton? Some minister from England
itself. sent here direct?"
She smiled at me again II told
you not to go back to your hotel,
ala | not!
got not further with her. it
seemed.
You interest me sometimes"
she went on slowly. at last. yet
you seem to have so little brain.
Now, in your employment. should
think that brain would be some
what useful at times"
Il do not deny that suggestion;
Madam"
But you are unable to analyze.
Thus, in the matter of yourself. !
suppose If you were told of 1t,
you would only say that you forgot
to look in the toe OF the slipper
you had"
(TO be cOntihued.)