The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
CHAPTER XVI.
DeIeuner a la Fourchette.


Woman is a creature between man and
the angels.-Honore de Balzac.
| A government agent, it seems, may
also in part be little more than man,
after all. In these singular surround
ings l found myself not wholly tran
quill. At last toward morning,
must have slept. 1t was some time
| after daybreak when felt a hand
| upon my shoulder as lay still partly
| clad. Awakened suddenly, ! arose
| and almost overthrow old Threlka,
who stood regarding me with no ex-
! preston whatever upon her brown
| and wrinkled countenance She did no
more than point the way to a door,
| where presently found bathroom,
and so refreshed myself and made the
best toilet possible under the circum-
stances.
My hostess / found awaiting me in
the central room of the apartments.
She was clad now in a girdled peig-
noir of rich rose-color, the sleeves,
wide and full, falling back from her
round arms. Her dark hair was coiled
and piled high on her head this morn
ing, regardless of current mode, and
confined in heavy twist by a tall
was left uncovered.
The little table in the center of the
room was already spread. Madam
filled my cup from the steaming arm
with not the slightest awkwardness,
as she nodded for me to be seated.
We looked at each other, and, as I
may swear, we both broke into sAV-
ing laughter.
Il was saying" she remarked pre1>
emily, that would not have yoS
think that l do not appreciate the sui
fering in which you were plunged by
the haste you found necessary in the
wedding of your jeune file"
But was on my guard. "At least,
may thank you for your sympathy,
madam" ! replied.
yet in time" she went on, gone
reflective the next instant, you will
see how very unimportant is all this
turmoil of love and marriage. That
torch of life!" she mused See! It
was only that which you were so
eager to pass on to another genera
ton! That was why you were so mad
to hasten to the side of that woman.
Whereas" she unused still, 1T were
so much grander and so much nobler
to pass on the torch of principle as
WE'LL"
do not philosophize with me-" I
said. II am already distracted by the
puzzle you offer to me. You are so
young and beautiful, so fair in your
Judgment, so kind"
I'm turn, / ask you not to follow
that" she remarked coldly. Let US
talk of what you call, I think, bust
ness"
my dear lady" began, my rela-
ton to the affairs of the American
republic is very humble one. l am
no minister of state, and | know you
deal with ministers direct How,
then, shall i gain your friendship for
my country? You are dangerous to
have for an enemy. Are you too high
priced to have for a friend-for a
friend to our union-a friend of the
principle of democracy? Come now,
you enjoy large questions. Tell me,
what does this council mean regard
ing Oregon? Is it true that England
plans now to concentrate all her
traders, all her troops, and force them
west up the Saskatchewan and into
Oregon this coming season? Come
now, madam, is 1t to be WARP"
Her curved lips broke into a smile
that showed again her small white
teeth.
Were you, then, married." she
said.
/ only went on, impatient ANY
moment may mean everything to us.
[ should not ask these questions if l
did not know that you were close to
Mr.. Calhoun"
She looked me square in the eye
and nodded her head slowly. Il may
say this much, monsieur, that 1t has
pleased me to gain little further in
you will give my government shat
why should To-
(To BE coNTsNUEn)