The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-13

of me-"
] still shook my head. NO" said
| /, Il have been far in the west for
several years, and have come to
Washington but rarely. Bear me
out, l had not been there my third
| day before | found you.'
We sat silent for some moments,
fiXedly regarding each other.
1T was rumored in diplomatic
circles, of course, that you were in
touch with the ministry of Eng
land" | ventured. Il myself saw
that much"
Naturally OF Mexico also At
least. as you saw in our little car
riage race, Mexico was DESTROYS
enough to establish some sort of
communication with my humble
self"
calhoun was right" | exclaimed.
HE was entirely right, madam, in
insisting that | should bring you to
him that morning, whether or not
you wished to 60"
She chuckled at the memory.
How did he receive you,
madam" ! asked. Il never knew"
"Why, took my hand in both his,
and bowed as though | indeed were
queen, he king
Then you got on well?"
Truly; for he was wiser than
his agent, monsieur. He found an
swers by asking questions
For instance, he asked"
What had been my ball gown
that night-who was there-how ]
enjoyed myself! In a moment we
were talking as though we had been
friends for years. The grand vizier
brought in two mugs Of cider, in
each a toasted apple. Monsieur, ]
have not seen diplomacy such as
this Naturally was helpless"
You told him somewhat of your
self?'
He did not allow me to do that,
monsieur"
But he told you somewhat of
this country"
what held him up in his work, what
kept him alive. | saw something
| have not often seen-a purpose, a
principle, in a public man. His love
for his own land touched even me,
how or why l scarcely know. Yes,
we spoke of the poor, the Cypress
ed, of the weary and the heavy
laden
Did he ask you what you knew
of Mexico and England?'
Rather what | knew of the poor
in Europe. | told him some things
| knew of that hopeless land, that
priest-ridden, king-ridden country
my own land. Then he went on to
tell me of America and it's hope
of free democracy of the people.
Believe me, | listened to Mr.. Cal
houn. Never mind what we said
of Mr.. Van Zandt and Sir Richard
Pakenham. At least, as you know,
/ paid off little score with Sir
Richard that next morning. What
was strangest to me was the fact
that | forget Mr.. CalhOun's attire,
forget the strangeness of my er-
rand thither. 1t was as though only
our minds talked, one with the
other. l was sorry when at last
came the Grand Vizier James to
take Mr.. Calhoun's order for his
own carriage, that brought me
home-my second and more peace
full arrival there that night
Then l did not fail as messen-
ger, after all! You told Mr. Cal
houn what he desired to know"
I'm part at least. But come now,
was ! not bound in some sort of
honor to my great and good friend,
Sir Richard? Was it not treachery
enough to rebuke him for his atten-
tons to the Dona Lucrezia?"
But you promised to tell Mr.
Calhoun more at later timer"
"On certain conditions l did" she
assented.
Il do not know that l may ask
those?"
You would be surprised if l told
you the truth? What | required
of Mr.. Calhoun was permission and
aid still further to study his ex-
traordinary country, it's eXtraordi-
nary ways, it's extraordinary ignor-
ance of itself. l have told you that
| needed to travel, to study, to OBJ
serve mankind-and those govern
ments invented -or tolerated by
mankind
"Since then. madam" I conclud-
ed, stepping to assist her with her
chair, as she signified her compile.
Of ~ n n
not feel now inclined to be specific
| feel that | ought to make my
adieux, for the time at least. 1t
grows late. | shall remember this
little evening all my life. l own
my defeat. ] do not know why you
ere here, or for whom"
AT what hotel do you stop"
"The little place of Jacques Ber-
tillon, a square or so beyond the
Place d'Armes."
an that case" said she, believe
me, it would be more discreet for
you to remain unseen in Montreal.
No matter which flag is mine,
may say that much for a friend and
comrade in the service"
But what else?"
She looked about her. BE my
guest tonight" she said suddenly.
There is danger"
For me?" | laughed. "At my
hotel? On the streets?'
mo, for me-"
"Where?'
Here"
"And of what, madam"
"Of a man; for the first time
am afraid, in spite of all
/ looked at her straight Are
YOU not afraid of me?" | asked.
She looked at me fairly, her color
coming. with the fear which
draws a woman to man." she said.
Whereas, mine is the fear which
causes a man to flee from himself.
but you will remain for my pro-