The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-10

CLOCK. linen l reflected that 1t
was at II of the night previous that
l had first met the Baroness Won
Ritz. Our acquaintance had, there
fore, lasted some IA hours.
CHAPTER X.
Mixed Duties.
Most women forgive liberty,
rather than a slight.-Colton.
When I crossed the white house
grounds and found my way to the
spot where I had left my horse, I
discovered my darby boy lying on
his back, fast asleep under a tree,
the bride reins hooked over his up
turned foot. / Weakened him, took
the reins and was about to mount,
when at the moment l heard my,
name called.
Turning, I saw emerge from the
door of Gautier's little cafe, across
the street, the tall figure of an erst-
while friend of mine, Jack Dan
bridge of Tennessee, credited with
being the youngest member Of the
house Of representatives at Wash
ing-and credited with little else.
cambridge had been taken up by
friends Of Jackson and Polk and
carried into congress without much
plan or objection on either side.
Since his arrival at the capital he
had been present at few roll calls,
and had voted on few measures.
His life was given up in the main to
one specially, to-wit: the COM
pounding Of certain beverage, in
vented by himself, the constituent
parts of which were Bourbon
whisky, absinthe, square faced gin
and dash of eau de vie.
Jack cambridge. it may be said,
was originally possessed of a splen-
did constitution. Nearly six feet
tall. his full and somewhat protrud-
ing eye was as yet only trifle wat
cry, his wide lip only trifle loose.
his strong figure only trfle
portly. Socially he had been we'll
received in our city, and during his
stay east of the mountains he had
found occasion to lay desperate suit
to the hand of none other than Miss
Elisabeth Churchill. We had been
rivals, although not enemies; for
Jack, finding which way the wind
sat for him, withdrew like man.
and cherished no i'll will When I
saw him now, a sudden idea came
to me, so that l crossed the street
at his invitation.
Jack | exclaimed, grasping him
by the shoulder, you are the man
| want. You are the friend | need
the very one" ta'.
Certainly, certainly" he said:
but please do not disarrange my
cravat Will you have Dream"
with me? l construct them now
with three additional squirts of alb
sinthe.' He locked his arm in mine.
You may have a Jream," said /;
but for me, | need all my head TO-
day In short, | need both our heads
as we'll" 20,
Jack was already rapping with
the head of his cane upon the table.
to call an attendant, but he turned
to me. What is the matter? Lady.
this time?'
Two of them"
Indeed? One apiece. eh?"
"None apiece, perhaps. In any
case, YOU lose"
Then the names-or at least
one?"
| flushed bit in spite of myself.
You know Miss Elisabeth Church.
ill?"
He nodded gravely. "And about
the other lady?"
Il can not tell you much about
her" said I: 81 have but little
knowledge myself | mean the Bar
oness Won Ritz. I must be Guicl,
| have in my nossession-on the hu-
reau In my little room at my quar-
tiers In Browns hotel-a slipper
which the baroness gave me last
night-a white satin slipper"
Jack finished the remainder of
his glass with gulp. Good Cod"
he remarked.
Quite right" retorted hotlv.
Accuse me. Anything you like,
But go to my headquarters, get that
slipper, go to this address with It"
i scrawled on a piece of paper
and thrust 1t at him-"then get a
carriage and hasten to Elmhurst
drive, where it turns in at the road
Wait for me there, just before G."
lie sat looking at me with amuse.
ment and amazement both upon his
face, as | went on:
listen tn what 49,.
the meantime. First go post
haste to Mr.. Calhoun's office. Then
| am to take his message, which
Will send me to Canada, tonight
After l have my orders hurry back
to Browns and dress for my wed.
ding"
The glass in his hand dropped to
to floor in splinters.
Your wedding?"
Yes, Miss Elisabeth and l con-
cluded this very morning not to
wait. would ask you to help me
as my best man, if l dare"
You do dare said he. You're
all a-fluster. Go on; III get par.
son-howll Doctor Halford do?-
and I'd take care of the license for
you if l cOuld-Gad! sorry it's not
my own"
You are the finest fellow in the
world, Jack. have only one
thing more to ask"-I pointed to
the splintered glass upon the floor.
Don't get another"
"Of course not, of course not"
he expostulated. His voice was
just trifle thickened. We left
now together for the license clerk,
and ! intrusted the proper docu-
ment in my friends hands. An in
slant later l was outside, mounted,
and off for Calhoun's office at his
residence in Georgetown.
At last, as for the fourth time |
flung down the narrow walk and
looked down the street. l saw his
xHnD Ennwn form IL