The Washington herald., 1912-12-29

Faith, Madame" said he, you have
disarmed me"
with a handkerchief
NO. Madame, with your wit. Re-
place that handkerchief in your pocket,
| pray you There is no doubt but
that we shall come to terms, and to
further our better understanding of
one another. will confess that the
police visited your house to-day. not
to search for robber, but for politi-
cal reasons"
"AhI
You see, am perfectly frank. I
will tell YOU even more: they found
nothing Madame, their visit was not
directed against you. / have no quar-
rel against you-only one piece of adj
vice to give you: do not. charming as
you are, mix yourself in these political
movements that are on foot in Paris.
Save yourself while you may"
He took seat near her His voice
had become friendly. The baroness.
but for her deep knowledge of men
/ and her intuitive knowledge of De
Sartines, might have fancied that all
this was real Profound as himself in
deceit and even a better actor, she
listened while he went on.
you will forgive me the visit 70
your house when | tell you | forgive
that glittering fable of the Jewels.
Oh, don't misunderstood me. You
have caught me fairly enough, and I
suppose | must pay. We viii arrange
all that" He spoke in a preoccupied
manner. Then leaning forward, he
took her hand.
"Well?"
Upon my word. Madame. ] do not
know how to say what is in my mind
You are the only woman who has ever
got the better of me, yet l do not hate
you for it. Madame. the minister of
police is no longer before you. Know
YOU not, Madame, that every man is
double?"
~Of that fact, Monsieur, I am we'll
aware"
Till beauty touches him and he be-
comes single De Sartines continued
so men say, Monsieur. but, alas,
when beauty ceases touching them"
Yes"
They become double again in
trice"
That is true" laughed De Sartines,
playing with the rings on her fingers;
we are but human
And being human, said she, re-
linquishing her hand entirely to him,
that is why we err
Then. Madame said De Sartines.
his hand straying to her wrist. while
his knee touched hers. YOU, at least,
have never erred
And how so, Monsieur"
Because you are divine"
oh, Monsieur! If ! thought YOU
were serious. | would think you-may
| speak my mind:'
Speak"
"A fool"
a fool -
"Or in love"
Il have been fool. Madame" said
he. his hand straying to the curves of
her forearm. but you have cured me
of my folly. | matched my wit against
yours and YOU have cured me, l say,
completely OF my folly
u AM then your physician
Most lovely crcature-ycs
After the bolus comes the bill,
Monsieur"
De Sartines made a face
The billr
''Yes-a hundred thousand francs
Listen. Madame Monsieur dc
Maupeou the other day told me this
story. A physician attending a patient
for the quinsy, and the patient, who,
by the way, was a lawyer. presented,
in turn, his bill for the Group. II was
argued before the courts. and each
claim was allowed Therefore neither
protagomst got anything. You have
cured me of folly. most beautiful
physician, but YOU have infected me
with admiration Therefore we are
quits and free TO arrange our money
affairs on the basis of common under
standing
Monsieur" said the baroness, sud-
denly cutting him short. the handker-
chief is not in that pocket"
De SartineS sprang to his feet.
Madame, | was not searching your
pocket. My hand was on your waist"
He now stood before her the picture
of virtuous indignation.
The baroness laughed.
Enough, Madame replied the man
of masks. dropping the mask of the
lover and reappearing again as the
minister of police You have charged
my agents with a misdemcanor; your
charge will be Investigated. You have
charged me Just now with an ungen-
tlemanly action. I have had enough
of your charges, Madame. Our inter-
view is closed. What are you waiting
for. pray?'
For your purse to open
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY.