The Washington herald., 1912-12-29

heard; that this woman was 10 DC
trusted; but II was too late now to
rectify matters, so he took hrs way
back to his shop, nearly certain that
the jewels would be taken and paid Tor
in the end.
'Well, Monsieur Behrens," said the
baroness, and my gowns y
"They are finished, Madame"
"And my hats?'
ooh, Madame, they are not hats
they are creations"
"And my bill, is that too, a Gre
ation?"
''Your bill is forty thousands francs,
Madame
"A large sum, Monsieur Behrens."
ooh, Madame, forty thousand francs
What are they to the conquest OF
Parish
so you think my hats will conquer
Parish
Madame, the rose famingo hat,
alone, would conquer Europe"
well, these conquerors of yours
have you brought them with you!
ooh, Madame, so many hats and
gowns! One cannot carry those in ones
pocket They shall be sent tonight"
That is well. And see that they are
packed properly for travelling. Good
day, Monsieur Behrens."
But, Madame, there is my bill.
"Ah, true; your bill. / thought we
had spoken of that. You told me il
would be unnecessary TO pay on de-
livery and that could arrange with
you before | left Paris"
when did say that, Madame"
when! When l ordered the things"
When you ordered the things%
Certainly"
Madame, there must have been some
mistake. AZ for myself, | am entirely
at Madame's disposal, but have a
partner, Monsieur Bompard-"
Il know. You mistrust me- Well, re-
turn to Monsieur Bompard and tell
him to keep the hats and gowns till
| send for them"
Behrens, inarticulate for a moment
seemed endeavoring TO tie himself into
knots.
IF Madame will excuse me"
with pleasure" said she, opening
the door. Good day, Monsieur Beh-
rens"
"Ah. but Madame"
Il have nothing more TO say to you
on this subject at present Later on
shall communicate my wishes to
YOU"
Behrens, for once in his life dumb,
retreated, bowling. He had nothing to
say Rumor had .beea talking to him,
too. about Madame Linden. and he
was quite determined not to deliver
over the exquisite dresses, some al
three thousand francs apiece. the mar
Vicious hats for which his house was
so famous, without payment on de-
livery.
Madame Linden, having closed the
door, went to the window and looked
out across the courtyard at the street
and the passers-by.
Outwardly quite calm, she was rag
ing inwardly. She had more than
sufficient money to pay Boehmer and
BehrenS: absolutely honest in her deal
ings with trades people. she would
have paid the jeweler and the haber-
daSher- at once had they not come with
their claims immediately after the con-
duct of De Sartines and the insult OF
De Joyeuse; she felt that Paris was
falling on her, that the trades people
were only following the example of
their masters and that the fountain
and origin of all this was De Sar-
tines.
She was ali the more bitter, as she
had intended wearing the necklace that
evening at 4 reception to which she
had been invited by Madame de Stenlis.
While she was standing thus a knock
came at the door. and Placide entered
with a note.
From Madame de Stenlis, Madame
She opened it, read It, and gave a
cry as though some one had wounded
her
Madame de Stenlis regrets that
owing to sudden indisposition, she will
not be at home tonight"
Then, little further down:
ITO Madame la Baronne Linden"
All the other yexations and insults
she had received that day paled before
this The form of the thing was so
abomin2ble; spurious politeness cover
ing deathly insult
"Placide," said his mistress, crum-
ping the paper up and casting it into
a corner of the room, you can tell
Rosine that she need not trouble to
arrange my toilet for Madame de STEM
lis reception"
Eyes, Madame"
Then go to Vaudrin and order my
carriage to be sent around at a quarter
to eight"
Left alone, she took the handkerchief
of De Sartines from her pocket and
glanced at it as a soldier glances at
his weapon.