Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1910-12-17
CHAPTER vi.
The RoudoIr of the Baroness.

The Boudoir OF the Baroness
A woman's counsel brought first to
woe.-Dryden-
WATT" she said I'VE shall have
candles" She clapped her hands
sharply, and again there entered the
silent old serving woman. who, obedi-
emit to a gesture, proceeded to light
additional candles in the prism stands
and sconces. The apartment was now
distinct in all it's details under this
additional flood of light. Decently
as 1 might 1 looked about. I was
forced to stif1e the exclamation of sur
prise which rose to my lips.
Here certainly was European luxury
transferred to our shores. This in SIM
pie Washington, with it's vast white
unfinished capitol, its piecemeal miles
of mixed residences, and novels! 1
fancied stern Andrew Jackson or plain
John Calhoun here!
The furniture 1 discovered to be
exquisite in detail, of rosewood and
mahogany, with many brass chasings
and carvings, after the fashion of the
empire and here and there f1orid orna-
mentatfon following that of the court of
the earlier Louis. Fanciful little clocks
with carved scrolls stood about Here
and there a divan and couch showed
elaborate care in comfort Beyond
lace-screened grille 1 saw an alcove-
doubtless cut through the original par
tition wall between two of these hum
BILE houses-and within this stood
high tester bed, it's heavy mahogany
posts beautifully carved, the couch
itself piled deep with foundations of
I know not what of down and spread
most daintily with a coverlid of am
| Der satin, whose edges fringed out al
/ most to the floor. At the other ex-
| tremity, screened off as in distinct
| apartment, there stood a small couch,
Napoleon bed, with carved ends,
| furnished more simply, but with equal
richness.
One resented the liberties England
| took in establishing this manner of
menage in our simple city, and ar
rogantly taking for granted our ignor-
ance regarding it; but none the less
one was forced to commend the
thoroughness shown. My first impress
sion was that of surprise; my second,
as 1 have said, feeling of resentment
at the presumption which installed all
this in our capital of Washington.
1 presume my thought may have
been reflected in some manner in my
face. 1 heard a gentle laugh, and
turned about. She sat there in great
carved chair, smiling, her white arms
stretched out on the rails. the fingers
just gently curving.
She had thrown back over the rail
of the chair the rich cloak which
covered her in the carriage, and sat
now in the full light, in the splendor
of satin and lace and gems, her arms
bare, her throat and shoulders white
and bare, her figure recognized gra
ciously by every line of a superb
gowning such as we had not yet
learned on this side of the sea.
She did not speak at first. but sat
and smiled. studying, 1 presume. to
find what stuff 1 was made of.
BE seated, pray" she said at last
Let us talk over this matter"
Obedient to her gesture, 1 dropped
into chair opposite to her, she her
self not varying her posture and still
regarding me with the laugh in hel
half-closed eyes.
What do you think of my little
placer" she asked finally.
Two things, madam" said 1, hall
sternly. IF it belonged to a man, and
to minister plenipotentiary. 1 should
not approve it. If it belonged to a lady
of means and desire to see the lands
of this little world 1 should approve il
very much.
She looked at me with eyes slightly
narrowed. but no trace of perturbation
crossed her face. 1 saw it was nc
ordinary woman with whom we had
to do.
But / went on, lin any case ant
at all events. i should say that the
bird confined in such a cage, where
secrecy is SO imperative. would a
times find weariness-woufd, in fact
wish to escape to other employment
You, madam looked at her direct
ly--are woman of so much intellec
that you could not be content merely
to liv.-~
NO. she said. Il would not be con
tent merely to live"
Precisely. Therefore, since Il
make life worth the living there mus
be occasionally . trifie of spice, bi
of adventure, either for man or WON
an. suggest to you. as something Of