The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-05-26

-s:srs -
!. TOOK us quite across the old French
quarter of Montreal. At last she
turned into a small, dark street of
modest one-story residences, iron-shut-
tered. dark and cherries. Here she
paused in front of a narrow iron gate.
Madam" said, you represent to
me one of the problems of my life.
Why does your taste run to such quar-
tiers as these? This might be that
same back street in Washington"
She chuckled to herself, at length
laughed aloud. But wait! If you
entered my abode once" she said,
why rot again? Come"
Her hand was at the heavy knocker
as she spoke. In a moment the door
slowly opened, just as it had done
that night before in Washington. My
companion passed before me swiftly.
AS she entered l saw standing at the
opening the same brown and wrinkled
old dame who had served that night
before in Washington!
For an instant the light dazzled my
eyes, but determined now to see this
adventure through, l steppe d within.
Then, indeed, l found it difficult to
stifle the exclamation of surprise
which came to my lips. Believe it or
not, as you like, we were again in
Washington!
l say that 1 was confronted by the
identical arrangement, the identical
objects of furnishing, which had
marked the luxurious boudoir of
Helena Won Ritz in Washington! The
tables were the same, the chairs, the
mirrors, the consoles. On the mantel
stood the same girandoles with gilt
tering crystals. The pictures upon
the walls, so far as l could remember
their themes, did not deviate in any
The oval-backed chairs were dupli-
Gates of those l had seen that other
night at midnight. Beyond these
same amber satin curtains stood the
tall bed with it's canopy, as l could
see; and here at the right was the
same low Napoleon bed with it's rolled
ends The figures of the carpets were
the same, their deep-piled richness,
soft under foot, the same. The flow.
cred cups of the sconces were identi-
cal with those had seen before.
You are good enough to admire
| my modest place." said a laughing
voice at my shoulder.
/ turned to her then, pulling myself
together as best l could Yes, she
too was the same, although in this
case costumed somewhat differently.
The wide ball gown of satin was gone,
and in its place was a less pretentious
robing Of some darker silk. No pale
blue fires shone at her white throat,
and her hands were ringless. But
tho light, firm poise of her figure could
not be changed; the mockery of her
glance remained the same, half laugh
ing and half wistful.
In some way which / did not pause
to analyze, l felt perfectly sure that
this strange woman could, if she
cared to do so, tell me some of the
things ought to know. She might be
here on some errapd identical with
my own. Calhoun had sent for her
once before. Whose agent was she
now? 1 found chairs for us both.
An instant later, summoned in what
way, do not know, the old serving
woman again reappeared. Wine,
Threlka," said the baroness; service
for two-you may use this little table,
monsieur" she added, turning to me,
II am most happy to make even some
slight return for the very gracious
entertainment offered me that morn
ing by Mr.. Calhoun at his residence.
Such a droll man! Oh, la! la"
Are you his friend, MADAME" !
asked bluntly.
"Why should l not be-"
I could frame neither offensive nor
| defensive art with her. She Knocked
me.
In few moments the weakened old
woman was back with cold fowl, wine,
napery, silver.
| "Will monsieur carver? At her nod
the old woman filled my glass, after
my hostess had tasted of her own.
| We had seated ourselves at the table
as she spoke.
81 did not expect you would come to
| Montreal"
Then you know-but of course, !
| told you"
Have you then no question:" she
went on at last. Her glass stood half
! full; her wrists rested gently on the
[ table edge, as she leaned back, look
] ing at me with that on her face which
he had needed to be wiser than my
| self, who could have read.
| MAY l then?"
Yes, now you may go on"
81 thank you. First, of course, for
! what reason do you carry the secrets
| of my government into the stronghold
of another government? Are you the
| friend of America, or are you spy
upon America? Are you my friend, or
| are we to be enemies to-night?"
She flung back her head and
laughed delightedly. THAT is a good
| beginning" she commented.
"You must, at a guess, have come
] UP by way Of the lakes, and by bat
teau from La Prairie?" ventured.
| She nodded again. "Of course. l
| have been here six days"
j 'Indeed?-you have badly beaten
| me in orr little race"