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

men have fought battles, given
their lives and staked their souls
Mrs. W. X. Clifford.
But, madam l began.
She answered me in her own
way. Monsieur hesitates-he is
lost" she said. But see, l am
weary. | have been much engaged
today. l have made it my plan
never to fatigue myself. 1t is my
plan never to fatigue myself. 1t is
my hour now for my bath, my exer-
else. and my bed, If you please. l
fear ! must bid you good night, one
way or the other You will be well
come here none the less, II you care
. to remain. | trust you did not find
our little repast tonight unpleas-
ing? Believe me. our breakfast
shall be as good. Threlka is expert
In omelets, and our coffee is such
as perhaps you may not find gen.
eral in these provinces"
Was there the slightest hooking
sheer in her words? Did she de-
spise me as faint heart? l could
not tell, but did not like the
thought.
Believe me. madam" answered
holly. you have courage, at least
Let me match it. Nor do | deny
that this asks courage on my part,
too. If you please, in these circum-
stances, | shall remain"
You are armed?" she asked
simply.
inserted a finger in each waist
coat pocket and showed her the
butts of two derringers; and at
the back of my neck-to her smil-
ing amusement at our heather
fashion, displayed just the tip
of the haft of short bowie-knife,
which went into a leather case
under the collar of my coat. And
again l drew around the belt
which | wore so that she could see
the barrel OF good pistol, which
had been suspended under cover
of the bell skirt of my coat.
She laughed. | saw that she was
not unused to weapons. | should
have guessed her the daughter of
soldier or acquainted with arms
in some way. "Of course" she
said, there might be need of
these, although | think not. And
in any cases, if trouble can be
deferred until tomorrow, why con
est me, begin yet more to ap-
prove of you"
Then, as to that breakfast a
la fourchette with Madam; if
remain, will you agree to tell me
what is your business here?'
She laughed at me gaily. 81
might" she said. provided that
meantime | had learned whether
or not you were married that
night"
| do not profess that ! read all
that was in her face as she stepped
back toward the satin curtains and
swept me the most graceful
curtesy had ever seen in all my
life felt like reaching out a
hand to restrain her.
Then | recalled my mission; and
l remembered what Mr.. Calhoun
and DR.. Ward had said. was not
man; ! was government agent
She was not woman; she was
my opponent. Yes, but then
Slowly | turned to the opposite
side of this long central room
There were curtains here also.
drew them, but as | did so
glanced back. Again, as on that
earlier night, saw her face framed
fpN ttn n.n,h fol fnn l.,. Il
ing. mocking. With an exclama-
ton of discomfort | threw down
my heavy pistol on the floor, cast
my coat across the foot of the bed
to prevent the delicate covering
from being soiled by my boots, and
SO rested without further disrob-
ing
In the opposite apartment ! could
hear her moving about, humming
to heI self some air as uncOncern-
eddy as though no such being as
myself existed in the world.
heard her presently accost her
servant, who entered through some
passage not visible from the cen
trail apartments. Then without
concealment there seemed to go
forward the ordinary routine of
madam's toilet for the evening.
At last she called out to me:
Monsieur"
was at my own curtains at
once. but hers remained tight fold
ed, although heard her voice
close behind them. "Eh bien?"
answered.
at Is nothing. except would say
that If Monsieur feels especially
grave and reverent he will find
very comfortable prie-dicu at
the foot of the bed"
81 thank you | replied, grave
ly as could.
"And there is a very excellent
rosary and cruciiiX on the table
just beyond"
81 thank you,|" | replied. steadily
as | could. y
"And there is an English Book
OF Common Prayer upon the
stand not far from the head of the
bed. upon this side."
"a thousand thanks, my very
good friend"
| heard a smothcred laugh be-
You'd the amber curtains. Present
iy she spoke again, yawning, as
fancied. rather contentcdly.
"A la boone heure, Monsieur"
"a la bonnie heure. Madame"
on D1'lCR WI