Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-04-29

to do so, tell me some of the things
ought to know. She might be here OF
some errand identical with my own
Calhoun had sent for her once before
| Whose agent was she now? l fount
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
IL am most happy to make even some
slight return for the very gracious en-
tertainment offered me that morning
by Mr. Calhoun at his residence. Sucf
a droll man. Oh, la, la"
Are you his friend, madam" ask
ed bluntly.
Why should not be-"
l could frame neither offensive mol
defensive art with her. She Knocked
me.
In a few moments the weazened OLD
woman was back with cold fowl, wine
napery, silver.
will Monsieur carve? At her nod
the old woman filled my glass. after
had seated ourselves at the table as
she spoke.
Il did not expect you would come t.
Montreal"
l. hut nf
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, looking
at me with that on her face which he
had needed to be wiser than myself
who could have read.
May /, them"
Yes, now you may go on"
II 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 up
on America? Are you my friend, or
are we to be enemies tonignt?"
She flung back her head and laughed
delightedly. THAT is good begin
ming" she commented
You must, at a guess, have come up
by way of the lakes, and by batteau
from La Prairie?" l ventured.
She nodded again. 'Of course.
haap horn Si 1ay-c"
'Indeed?-you have badly beaten me
in our little race"
She flashed on me sudden glance
why do you not ask me outright why
] am here?"
well, then, l do, do ask you tnat
ask you how you got access to that
meeting tonight-for l doubt not you
were there?'
She gazed at me deliberately again,
parting her red lips, again smiling at
me. What would you have given to
have been there yourself?"
"An the treasures those vaults ever
held"
$50 luch? What will you give me,
then. to tell you what know"
More than all that treasure, madam
A place"
An. a place in the heart of a peo-
ple! prefer a locality more re-
stricted."
In my own heart, then; yes, OF
course!"
She helped herself daintily to por-
ton of the white meat of the fowl.
Yes" she went on. as though speak
ing to herself. ION the whole, rather
like him. Yet what fool! All, such
a droll idiot"
How so. madam" | eXpostulated.
Il thought was doing very we'll"
Yet you can not guess how to per-
suade me?"
No: how could that be-"
Always one gains b. offering some
equivalent, value for valu"-espccially
with women, Monsieur"
She went on as though to herself
Come, now, l fancy him! He is hand
some, he is discreet, ne has courage, he
is not usual. he is not curious; but, ah,
mon Dieu, what a fool!
admit me to be a fool. madam, since
il is true: but tell me in my folly what
equivalent l can offer one VINO has
everything in the world-wealth, taste,
culture. education, wit, learning, beau
ty?"
"Go on, Excellent"
who has everything as against my
nothing. What value, madam"
"Why. gentle idiot, to get an answer
ask Il question. always"
Il have asked it
But you can not guess that l mlSht
ask one? So, then, one answer for an
other. we might do-what YOU Amcri-
cans call some business-eh? Will you
answer my question:"
Ask it, then"
Were you married-tnat Other
night"
SO. then. she was woman after all
and curious, | pulled myself into con-
trol and looked her fair in the face
Madam" | said. look at nv face
and read your own answer"
She looked. searching me, while "v-
erv nerve of me tingled: but at last she
shook her head. No" she sighed. i
can not yet say"
| raised my kerchirf over my head
"A truce then. madam. Let US leave
the one question against the other for
time"
Excellent, | snail get my answer
first. in that case. and for nothing.
How so?"
Il shall only watch YOU. As W" are
here now. | were fool. worse than
YOU, if | could not tell whether or not
Won are married. Non" the less, com
mend YOU. | admire you. bccaus" you
do not tell me. If you are not. YOU are
disappointcd. If YOU are. YOU are ca
GER"
II am in any case delighted that
can interest madam"
"Ah. but you do, | hav" not been
interested. for So long, All. the great