The Harrison times., 1911-06-10
CHAPTER XVI.
Deieuner a la Fourchette.


the angels.-Honore de Balzac.
A government agent, it seems, may
also in part be little more than a 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-colcr, the sleeves,
wide and full, falling back from her
round arms. Her dart hair was coiled
and piled high on her head this morn
ing, regardless of current mode, and
confined in a heavy twist by tall
golden comb; so that her white neck
was left uncovered.
The little table in tiR center of the
room was already srgead. Madam
filled my cup from ths steaming urn
with not the slightest awkwaroness,
as she nodded for me 20 be seated.
We looked at each other, and, as |
may swear, we both broke into say.
ing laughter.
Il was saying" she remarked pres
entity, that | would not have you
think that do not appreciate the suf'
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 fNast,
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 1t
was only that which you we're so
eager to pass on to another genera
tion That was why you were so mad
to hasten to the side Of that woman
Whereas" she mused still, 1T were
so much grander and so much nobler
to pass on the torch of a principle an
well"
do not philosophize with me-"
said. 81 am already distracted by the
puzzle you offer to me. You are SO
young and beautiful, SO fair in your
judgment, so kind"
"In turn, ! ask you not to follow
that" she remarked coldly. Let us
talk of what you call, l think, busi-
ness"
MY dear lady" / began, my rela
tion to the affairs of the American
republic is very humble one. | am
no minister Of state, and l know you
deal with ministers direct How
then, shall | 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 q
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 1t true that England
plans now to concentrate all her
traders all her troops, and force them
west up the Saskatchewa and into
Oregon this coming season. Come
now, madam is 1t to be war?"
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 II |
did not know that you were close 10
Mr., Calhoun"
She looked me square in the eve
and nodded her head slowly. Il may
say this much monsieur, that II han
pleased me to gain little further In.
formation
You will give my government that
information"
why should i?'
(TO BE CONTtNUED)
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Every good deed that we do Is no,
only present pleasura hut a aunno,.l