Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-14

Madame Christopher" he said,
you are very kind, but 1 tell you
frankly that 1 should accept your
proposition with more pleasure II You
hau been of my own sex"
You have become a woman hater?'
~ cannot trust a woman" he an
swered coldly. "AIl the time have
the feeling of insecurity. 1 fear that
it must sound ungallant if l tell you
what is the sober truth-that your
sex for the present has lost all cha'm
for me-"
She closed her eyes. Perhaps from
behind the mask Of her still face she
was laughing at him!
do you think 1 don't understand
that a little?" she murmured. Never
mind, for tonight, at least. l will be
sexloss. You can believe that 1 am
man. 1 think you will find that 1 can
talk to you about most of the things
that men know Of. Politics we win
leave alone. You would mistrust Iae
at once. Art can tell you of our
modern French painters; can tell
you about these two wonderful Rus
slams who are painting in their stuolo
here; I can tell you what to look Tor
at the new exhibitions, what studios
to VISIT can take you to them II
you will. Or old Paris-does that in
terest you? Have you ever seen IL
properly? 1 know my old Paris very
we'll indeed. Or would you rather
talk of boolxs2 There have been many
years when I have done little else but
read. Tell me that we may be COLI
panions for a time. You have moth
ing to lose, indeed, and 1 have 20
much to. gain"
Madame" Julien replied, II do not
trust you. You are doubtless an agree
able companion, and as such am willing
to spend a short time with you. This is
an ungracious acceptance of your sug-
gestion, but it is the best 1 am capable
Of"
She clapped her hands.
1T is something. after ALL" she de-
cIared, land let me tell you this, my
friend" she added. leaning over. J''You
have been frank with me. You have told
me that you hated my sex, that you dis
trusted us all. Very we'll, will share
your frankness. / will tell you this
Neither am 1 any friend of your sex. 1,
too, nave my grievance. /, too, have
something in my heart of which 1 cannot
speak, which, when I think of it, makes
me hate every male creature that walks
the earth Perhaps with that in my heart
and what you have in yours, we may
meet and pass and meet again and pass,
and do one another no harm. Is that fin
ished?"
by all MEANS" he agreed.
Her expression changed. Nc
Come" she said; now you shall see
that 1 have begun my plots. have
brought you away from Paris into the
country places. For what, I wonder?
Are you terrified"
mot in the least" he assured her.
Brave fellow! Perhaps when you
know the truth your heart will shake
with fear. You are going to dine in a
country restaurant"
THAT does not terrify me in the least"
he replied smiling, II think that it will
be charming"
1T is a tiny place." she told him,
mot very well known as yet, soon, fear,
likely to become fashionable One sits at
little tables on allawn of the darkest
green. If the sun shines. an umbrella of
pink and white holland shades us. Quite
close is the river. and field of butter
cups. There are flowers in the garden,
and so many shrubs that one can be al
most alone. And behind, an old inn. They
cook simply but the trout comes from
the river, and it is cool"
ut sounds delightful" Julien admitted:
but. madame, indeed 1t is 1 who must
be host"
sue SliOOh leT Htdus
ION the contrary, it is my subtlety that
have brought you here and that claim
to be the giver of the feast. You see, you
dine with me tonight. You must ask me
back again. 1t is the custom of your
country, is It notg''
He smiled The automobile had turned
in now up a short drive, and stopped be-
fore a long, low building. Down in the
gardens they could see fairy lights swing
ing in the faint breeze. A short man, with
close-cropped hair and q fierce black
mustache and imperial, came fastening
out to greet them. When he recognized
Madame Christopher he bowed low.
Monsieur Leon" she said, 81 bring an
Englishman to try your river trout. You
must give me a table near that great tree
of lilac that smells so sweetly. order
nothing-you understand? But you must
remember that monsieur is, English. He
will want his champagne dry and his
brandy very old. Is it not so, my friend?
Now I will give you into charge of mon
sieur lie proprietaire here. He shall show
you where you can drink a little aperitif,
if you will. 4.e shall show you, too, where
to find me presently"
"A trim maid came hurrying up and took
possession of Madame Christopher. Ju-
lien followed his guide into a small recep-
ton room, all pink and white
IF monsieur desires to wash" the pro-
prietor explained. ''he passes beyond
there. And for an aperitif?
II will take anything you send me-"
Julien declared What is the name of
this place, monsieur2"
They call it the Maison Leon dor,
monsieur" the man replied. "It is
my own idea-a country house / pur-
chased once for myself but found it
too far, alas! from Paris. In the fine
weather we could. if we chose. have
half Paris here. When the cold days
come there is nobody. Monsieur per-
mits?"
He departed and Julien strolled to
the window In the portion of the
gardens over which he looked were
smaller tables, set out simply for those
who desired to take their liqueurs or
aperitif out of doors. Julien glanced
out idly enough at the little group of
people dotted about here and there.
Then his face suddenly darkened. At
table within a few yards of where
he stood were seated Foster and a
man whose back was turned toward
him.
Julien's first impulse was to retire
cut of sight, for the window was open
and he himself imperfectly concealed
by the muslin blind. Then, as he was
on the point of retiring, he distinctly
heard the sound of his own name. The
two men were speaking in a low tone,
but a slight breeze was blowing into
I A. 1frW