The Washington herald., 1911-07-28
1911. Tns !sooos-Merfn Company

thank you: professionally, must fight
you. Socially, must be-what did you
say-your amanuensis? So, We are en-
gagged in a great work. a treatise on
our river Notifications, perhaps? But
| since when did army officers afford the
luxury of amanuenses in this simple
| republic. Does your Vehmgerichte pay
such extraordinary expenses7 Does
your carte blanche run SO far as that
| also?"
| You must not use such terms re-
garding the government of this coun-
try" he protested. Our administra-
ton does not suit me. but 1t has pleased
IA majority of our people, else 1t
| would not be in power, and It Is
| no Vehmgerichte. The law of self-pres-
eryatfon obtains In this country as with
| all nations. even In Europe. But we
have planned no confiscation of your
property, nor threatened any forfeiture
Of your life
which Is dearer than anything else that
which your government guarantees to
every human being in this country-lib-
erty!" -
And even that unconstitutional point
shall remains such no longer than can
help. madam. Do not make our Journey
longer by leaving 1t more dificult God
knows. I am beset enough even as 1t Is
now. But be sure our Vehmgerichte, as
you are pleased to call II. shall never, at
least while am its agent. condemn you
to any situation unsuited to a gentle
woman. A very high compliment has
been paid you in holding you dangerous
because OF your personal charm. 1t is
true. madam. that Is why you were put
out Of Neutrality-suspicious. you were
dangerous. They thought you could get
Nhe - ~
secrets which he ought to keep-if you
Just asked him to do it for the sake of
Josephine St Aubanr' He Jerked out his
sentences. as though habitual reticence
and lack Of acquaintance with women left
1t difficult for him TO speak even thus
boldly.
'Oh. thank you, thank you" She
clapped her hands together mockingly.
Before now women less beautiful than
you have robbed men OF their reason,
have led them to do things fatal as open
treason to their country. These men
were Older than you or L Perhaps. as
you will agree. they were better able to
weigh the consequences. You are younger
than they, younger than I. myself; but
you are charming-and you are young.
Call 1t cruel of me, II you like, to take
you by the hand and lead you gently
away from that sort of danger for Just
a few days. Call me jailer II you like.
None the less 1t is my duty, and shall
call 1t in part a kindness to you to take
you away from scenes which might on
both sides be dangerous. Some Of the
oldest and best minds Of this country
have felt"
"At least those minds were shrewd In
choosing their agent" she rejoined. Yes;
you are fanatic, that Is plain. You will
obey orders. And you have not been
much used to women. That makes IL
harder for me. Or easier" She smiled at
him again. very blithe for a prisoner
1T ought to have been held down to
that" he began disconsolately. IT should
have been all along professional only. 1t
began well when you gave me your pa
role. so that / need not sit nodding and
blinking over against you also nodding
and blinking all night long. Had you
been silly, as many women would have
been, you could not this morning be so
fresh and brflliant-even though you tell
me you have not slept, which seems to
me incredible myself slept like a boy,
confident In your word. Now, you have
banished sleep. Nodding and blinking, l
must henceforth watch you, nodding and
unhappy. uncomfortable; where
as, were It in my power, would never
have you know the first atom OF discom-
fort" .'
There, there! I am but an amanuen-
sis, my dear Capt. Carlisle