The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-12-15
CHAPTER vi.
The soudolr of the Baroness.

The BoudoIr of the Baroness.
A woman's counsel brought US first to
Toe--Dryden-
Watt" she said. I'VE shall have
candles" She clapped her hands
sharply. and again there entered the
silent old serving woman. who. obedi-
ent to a gesture. proceeded to light
additional candles in the prism stands
and sconces The apartment was now
distinct in all its details under this
additional food of light Decently
as ! might | looked about. | vas
forced TO stifie the exclamation of sur
prise which rose to my lips.
Here certainly was European luxury
transferred to our shores. This in SIM
pie Washington. with its vast white
Of mixed residences. and novelist l
fancied stern Andrew Jackson or plsin
John Calhoun here,
The furniture ] discovered to be
exquisite in detail. Of rosewood and
mahogany. with many brass chasings
and carvings. after the fashion of the
empire. and here and there Horid orna-
mentation following that of the court OF
he earlier Louis. Fanciful little clocks
with carved scrolls stood about Here
and there a divan and couch showed
elaborate care in comfort Beyond a
!ace-screened grille ] saw an alcove-
doubtless cut through the original par
lition wall between two of these hum
Bile houses-and within this stood a
nigh tester bed. its heavy mahogany
posts beautifully carved. the couch
itself piled deep with foundations of
| know not what of down and spread
most d~aintily with a coveriid of am
Der satin. whose edges fringed out al
most TO the floor. At the other ex-
tremity. e of as in a distinct
apartment, there stood a small couch,
a Napoleon bed. with carved ends.
furnished more simply. but with equal
richness.
One resented the liberties England
took in establishing this manner of
menage in our simple city. and ar
rogantly taking for granted our ignor-
ance regarding Il; but none the less
one was forced 20 commend the
~.horoughness shown. My first impress
sion vas that of surprise: my second.
As ] have said. a feeling of resentment
At the presumption which Installed all
this In our capital of Washington.
i presume my thought may have
peen reflected in some manner In my
face. | heard a gsatle laugh. and
turned about She sat there in a great
carved chair. smiling, her white arms
stretched out on the rails. the fingers
Just gently curving.
She had thrown back over the rail
of the chair the rich cloak which
covered her in the carriage, and sat
.>ow II the full light, in the splendor
satin and lace and gems, her arms
re. her throat and shoulders white
bare. her figure recognized gra-
usly by every line of a superb
Ening such as we had not yet
fned on this side of the sea.
she did not speak at first, but sat
nd smiled. studying. | presume. to
find what stuff l was made of.
BE seated. pray" she said at last.
Let US talk over this matter"
Obedient to her gesture, cropped
into a chair opposite to her. she her.
self not varying her posture and still
regarding me with the laugh in her
half-closed eres.
what do you think OF my little
placer" she asked finally.
eEUr-~- fhf-nu madam % c.{I hoIf
sternly. IF 1t belonged to a man. and
TO a minister plenipotentiary. / should
not approve it. II 1t belonged to a lady
Of means and a desire to see the lands
of this little world. should approve 1t
very much"
She looked at me with eyes slightly
narrowed, but no trace of perturbation
crossed her face. ! saw IL IA no
ordinary woman with whom we had
10 d..
But | went on. in any case and
1t all events. l should say that the
bird confined In such a cage, where
secrecy is so imperative. would at
times find weariness-would, in fact,
wish to escape tS other employment.
You. maQfm@ looked at ner direct
Iy-"are a woman of so much intellect
that you could not be content merely
10 live.
NO" she said. Il would not be con
tent merely to live"
Precisely Therefore. since to
make life worth the living there must
be occasionally a trife of srice. a bit
Of adventure. either for mar or WON
an. I suggest 10 you. as something of
fering amusement. this little journey
with me tonight to meet my chief
You have his message. | ar his mes
senger. and, believe me. quite at your
service in any way you mas suggest
Let us be frank IL o are agent. so
p l. See; | have come into your
d Dare you not come into oers'
1T is an adventure to see a tall.
Id man In a dressing gown and
.woolen nightcap. So you will
ny chief; n in apartments
different from these"
took up the missive with It's
seal. $50 your chief, az you
On, asks me to come to him. al
Eht. with you. a strangerr