Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-18
The MISCHIEF MAKER
:. PHILLIPS OPPENEIEM

Copyright, 1912, BY Little. Brow, Z Coy

Portel?''
II think may call myself friend"
lege together"
She rose composedly to her feet.
Then I will take my. coffee at. your
table," she decided. You may present
me. I am Mile Semi"
Hendricks hesitated.
"You may not find my friend in the
most amiable Of moods he began.
The girl waved her hand.
1T is to be explained" she declared.
ITO tell you the truth, I was surprised
to see him even in so out of the way q
restaurant as this"
He leaves tonight for the continent"
Hendricks told her.
so heard" the girl replied. Come"
Sir Julien watched their approach and
!! the frown upon his aristocratic forehead.
though thin, was distinct. Hendricks,
however, took no notice of it. and the
girl pretended that she had not seen.
-. Julien es :. the former announsed. hold
mitted the pleasure of presenting you to
Mile. Sem, who already knows your
name. Mademoiselle sent you a mes
sage few minutes ago. If she Is good
not, what does it matter? Mademoiselle
will take her coffee with u.s.
Julien rose to his feet and bowed very
slightly.
I'VE have only a moment or two to
spare" he said, "as I am leaving Lon
| don tonight"
She looked at him and smiled oddly
She was a very typical young French
woman OF her class-round faced, with
trim little figure. black eyes and smart
but simple hat; not really good looking.
except for the depth of her clear eyes.
and yet with a command of her person
and movements which was not without
it's charm.
-
INJURED, but one is inclined to forgive
| him. If l may take my coffee, will CO.
Monsieur has promised me that. he will
call and see madame?"
Your friend in PARISH" Julien remark
ed. a little doubtfully.
"Ah! I dare not call her that" the
girl continued: madame is different. But
know that it is her wish that you CALL
and l know that it would be for your
welfare
'that you should be SO mysterious? After
all, you know, the thing on the face Of
it is impossible. Madame probably does
not know of my existence, and why
should you take it for granted that am
going abroad?"
"Oh, la. la" the girl interrupted. But
you amuse one! Madame knows every
thing which she desires to know. AS to
your going to France, monsieur over
there" she added. moving her head back
And how the dickens did he know, and
what right had he to talk about my af-
fa1rs?" Julien demanded, with all an Eng
lfshman's Indignation at his movements
having been discussed by strangers.
Il suppose that it is his business to
know those things" she replied, slipping
her coffee. HE is very mysterious
young man. He takes room sometimes
at the Milan Hotel and he sends for me
to manicure his hands. Then he asks me
very clever nnpSfi0nS and 1nOk dnyyn
and L give him-very clever answers.
Then he thinks, perhaps, that his methods
are not quite the best and he sends me a
great box Of chocolates. some stalls for
Then he comes again to be manicured
and he asks more questions, but know
SO little. Then sometimes, not very often,
he brings me out to dine. Imagine for
wave of the hand. "the excitement the
wonder OF all this to a poor French girl!
And again he asks questions, but again
l know SO little. And then, in the midst
Of our dinner, his employer has sent for
sad, is it not? He would like me to 30
with him to the station. to see him off,
but L" she shrugged her shoulders.
why should / leave before I have fin
ished my dinner? In truth. he wearies
me, that young man. I do not think, Sir
Julien Portel, that Englishmen are very
CLEVER
AS race" Julien declared, grimly, II
agree with you. I think that most men
are unutterable fools. But this young ad-
mirer Of yours-what are these questions
which he asks you SO often. and what
business is he in that he should be COM
PEELED to leave you and hurry away?"
"Ah. monsieur she answered, ut is
you now who asks questions. Why should
tell you, indeed, more than tell him?"
Julien smiled
Perhaps because 1t was a matter of
| moment to him whether you replied or
not. whereas, frankly, I ask you these
questions only out of the idlest curiosity
l. ALSO a little she remarked ''to make
conversation. is it not so? Very well,
| then, Sir Julien Portel, let me tell you
| this. If you do not know who thst young
| man is, I do not wonder that you find it
necessary to catch the 8 o'clock train to
| the continent tonight and to give up that
delightful work Of yours. where you try
| to keep the peace between all these
| wicked nations. and to get the lions share
OF everything for your great, greedy
| country If you do not know who that
young man is. you have not the head for
| detail. the memory, which goes to the
making of politicians"
Julien leaned back in his chair and
laughed softly, but genuinely. Even Ken
| bricks seemed a little taken aback.
| Upon my word!" the latter exclaimed
| "This is an interesting young person!
Mademoiselle. congratulate you. You
have the gifts"
Il