Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-01-26

sWeT ask question, Always.
Il have asked it,"
But you cannot guess that might
ask one? So, then, one answer for
another, we might do-what you
Americans call some business-ehf
win you answer my question:"
ASK it, then"
Were you married-that other
night?"
So, then, she was woman after all,
and curious! pulled myself into con-
troll and looked her fair in the face.
Madam" / said, look at my face
and read your own answer"
She looked, searching me, while
every nerve of me tingled; but at last
she shook her head. NO." she
sighed. Il cannot yet say"
raised my kerchief over my head.
"a truce, then. madam! Let us leave
the one question against the other for
a time"
Excellent! I shall get my answer
first. in that case, and for nothing"
How so?"
II shall only watch you. AS we are
here now, / were a fool, worse than
you, If l could not tell whether or not
you are married. None the less, l
commend you, / admire you. because
you do not tell me- II you are not.
you are disappointed. If you are. you
are eager!"
Il am in any case delighted that l
can interest madam"
"Ah. but you do! l have not been
interested, for so long! All, the great
heavens, how fat was Mr.. Pakenham.
how thin was Mr.. Calhoun! But you
come, monsieur, the night is long.
Tell me of yourself. / have never be-
fore known a savage"
Value for value only, madam!
Will you tell me in turn of yourself?"
saw her dark eyes study me once
more. At last she spoke again. AT
I least" she said, 1T would be rather
vulgar If / did not explain some of
the things which become your right to
know when i ask you to come into
this home, as into my other home in
Washington"
IN Heavens name. how many Of
these homes have you, then? Are
they all alike?"
Five only now" she replied, in the
most matter-of-fact manner in the
| world, land, of course, all quite alike"
Where else?"
in Paris, in Vienna, in London"
she answered. You see this one.
you see them all. They serve, they
suffice. This little scheme it has
pleased me to reproduce in some Of
the capitals of the world. 1t is at
least as well chosen as the taste Of
the prince of Orleans, son of Louis
Philippe, could advise"
This with no change of expression
l drew a long breath.
She went on as thocgh | had
spoken. MY friend" she said, do
not despise me too early. There is
abundant time. Before you Judge, let
the testimony be heard"
II am not your judge. madam, but
it will be long before I shall think q
harsh thought of you. Tell me what
a woman may. Do not tell me what a
secret agent may not. ask no prom
Uses and make none. You are very
beautiful. You have wealth. | call
you, madam You are married."
Il was married at 15."
AT Is! And your husband died?".
"He disappeared"
Your own country was Austria"
Call me anything but Austrian! I
left my country because ! saw there
only oppression and lack of hope. No.
| am Hungarian"
II should guess then perhaps you
went to PARISH"
"Of course she said, of course!
of course! In time reasons existed
why should not return to my home.
had some little fortune, some
singular experience. some ambitions
of my own. What did, did. At
least, l saw the best and worst Of
Europe"
II have heard vaguely of some such
things, madam" l said. Il know that
in Europe they have still the fight
which we sought to settle when we
left that country for this one"
She nodded. so then, at last" she
went on, still young, having learned
something and having now those
means of carrying on my studies
which required, | came to this last
OF the countries, America, where. IL
anywhere. hope for mankind remains.
Washington has impressed me more
than any capital of the world"
How long have you been in Wash.
ington?" l asked.
(TO BE COETINUED)