The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-05-12


thing as miraclel"
She looked at me one brief mo-
ment; then her courage returned.
"Ah, then, my IDIOT she said,
since it is to be our fortune always
to meet OF dark nights and in impos-
sible ways, give me your arm"
laughed. we may as we'll make
treaty. II you run again, shall only
follow you"
Then ! am again your prisoner?"
Madam, | again am yoursy'
AT least you improvel' said she
Then come
Shall | not call caleche the
night is dark"
mo, MOI" hurriedly.
We began a midnight course that
took us quite across the old French
quarter of Montreal At last she
turned into small, dark street of
modest one-story residences, iron-shut-
tered dark and cheerless. Here she
paused in front Of narrow iron gate
Madam" said, you represent to
me one Of the problems of my life
Why does your taste run to such quar-
ters as these? This might be that
same back street in Washington"
She chuckled to herself, at length
laughed aloud but wait! II you
entered my abode once" she said,
why not again? Come"
Her hand was at the heavy knocker
as she spoke In moment the door
slowly opened, just as 1t had done
that night before in Washington. My
companion passed before me swiftly.
As she entered | 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, stepped within
Then, indeed, ] found Vt difficult to
stiflc the exclamation OF surprise
which came to my lips. Believe 1t or
not, as you like, we were again in
Washington
| say that | 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
terng crystals. The pictures upon
the walls, so far as | could remember
their themes, did not eeviate in any
particular Of detail or arrangement.
The oval-backed chairs We're dupli-
Gates of those ] had seen that other
night at midnight. Beyond these
same amber satin curtains stood the
tall bed with its canopy, as ! could
see and here at the right was the
same low Napoleon bed with its rolled
ends The figures of the carpets were
the same, their deep-pled 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 laughing
voice at my shoulder.
turned to her then, pulling myself
together as best | 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 n less pretentious
robing of some darker silk No pale
blue fires shone at her white throat,
and her hands we're ringless. But
the 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 I did not pause
to anaIyze, 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
j here on some errand identical with
my own. Calhoun had sent for her
once before. Whose agent was she
now? | 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,
81 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 droll mani oh, la. la"
Are you his friend, madam"
asked bluntly.
why should not be?'
could frame neither offensive mol
defensive art with her. She mocket
me-
In a few moments the weakened OLE
woman was back with cold fowl, wine
napery, silver
"Will monsieur carver At her noe
the old woman filed my glass, aftel
my hostess had tasted of her own
We had seated ourselves at the tablt
as she spoke.
''I did not expect you would come 4
Montreal"
"Then you know-but of course,
told you"
"Have you then no question: sh'
went on at last Her glass stood hal
full: her wrists rested gently on th
table edge, as she leaned back, look
ing at me with that on her face whicl