Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21
CHAPTER K.
Better Acquaintance.


were. In. their way, unique. There was
no extent Of open space, but the walks
threaded everywhere large shrubbery,
and In all sorts Of corners and quiet
places little dining tables had been placed.
Scarcely any one was in sight of any
other person, although they were so close
together that all the time there was a
hum Of voices. nthe distance, down by
the river, large gondola was passing
slowly backward and forward, on which
an orchestra played soft music. julien
and Nine. Christopher crossed the narrow
strip Of lawn together and followed M.
Leon into the grayeled path bordered with
fairy lamps.
II have arranged for madame and mon
sieur, he announced, looking backward,
"a table near the lilac tree of which
madame Is so fond. The perfume, indeed,
is exquisite. II madame pleases!'
The turned from the path onto an
other strip Of lawn. which they gained by
rounding large lilac bush. Here a
small table was laid with the whitest Of
cloths and the most dazzling of silver.
An attentive waiter was already arrang-
Ing an Ice pail in a convenient spot. From
here the gardens sloped gently to the
river, which was barely forty yards dis
tant. Although 1t was scarcely twilight
the men on the gondola were lighting the
lamps.
Madame and monsieur will find this
table removed from all chance visitors,
the proprietor declared. IF the dinner
is not perfect. permit that 1 wait upon
you again. A word to the waiter and I
arrive. Madame! Monsieur
He retreated, with a bow to each. Ju-
lien. with little laugh, took his place
at the table.
Madame" he said. ''your entertain
ment is charming"
dame replied, but here at least is one ad-
vantage-we are really alone. I do not
know how you feel, but the greatest rest
In life to me Is sometimes the solitude
There is no one overlooking us, there is
no one likely to pass whom we know. We
are virtually cut off from all those who
know us or whom we know. My friend.
l would like you to remember this our
first evening. Talk. IL you will, or be 81
lent. For me 1t is equal. l. too, have
thoughts which can summon at any
time to bear me company. And there is
the river. Do you hear the soft flow of it.
and the rustic of breezes in the shrubs
the perfumes, and-listen-the music? All,
Sir Julien, l think that we give you over
here some things which you do not easily
find In your own country
You have reason" he agreed. slowly
''YOu give us better climate, more SYM
pathetic companionship, tenderer
chicken, more artistic salad
AT heart you are a materialist, / per-
ceive,' she declared.
I'VE all are he admitted. Every
thing depends upon our power Of conceal
meht."
The service of dinner commenced al
most at once. There was something ex-
cessively peaceful in the scene. The Ia
bles were SO arranged that one heard
nothing of the clatter Of crockery. The
murmur OF voices came like pleasant
under note. They talked lightly for some
time Of the English theaters. of the stage
generally. some recent Misunderstanding
hof Mt fhofr T,,lio
was silent for several minutes. He leaned
slightly across the table. Their own
lamp was lit now. and through the vel
vety dusk her eyes seemed to glow with
q new beauty.
Tell me-" he begged, "you spoke of
yourself little time ago as though you
might have q personality at which l
ought to have guessed. Are you a wom-
an Of society. or an artist, or merely an
idler?"
she replied. Il believe 1 may say that
I am something of an artist. 1t is very
Certain that l. am not an idler. Why ask
me these questions? Let us forget to be
serious tonight. Let us remember only
that we are companions. and that the
hours as they pass are pleasant"
1T is a philosophy" he murmured
which brings its own retribution.'
She shrugged her shoulders.
"An happiness Is lost" she declared.
It, It is sensation, not a state Of being.
Let US drift. The waters are not dan
gerous for you or for me-"
Her words chilled him with q sudden
memory. Then. in the act Of helping
himself to wine. he paused Some one
had taken the table nearest to them,
dimly visible through the laurel bushes.
He heard the voice Of the man who had
been with Foster giving the orders.
"Listen!
There was no need for him to have
spoken. Curiously enough. Nine. Chris
tophor seemed also to have recognized
the voice. Her hand fell upon Juliens.
He looked at her In surprise. Her cheeks
were blanched. her eyes blazing.
You hear that voice?" she whispered.
Julien nodded
1T is the voice OF the only person in
the world" she continued, whom alb
solutely hate
You know whose it Is. then?'
''Of course!' she replied.
80 do l." he muttered. 81 have never
seen the mans face. but I know . little
about him.
She shivered.
Go be continued tomorrow.)