Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-07
have seen new phases of life"

/ have seen new phases of life"
julien was puzzled.
You cannot seriously propose to
me-" he protested, ito undertake a dip
lomatic errand for a country which has
absolutely no claims upon me-to
which 1 am not even attracted?' he
added
Herr Freudenberg tapped with HIS
forehnger upon the table. Upon his
lips was a genial and tolerant smile
He had the air of a preceptor devot-
ing special pains upon the most back
ward manner of his kindergarten class.
MY friend" he said. there is no
political question involved whatever.
the mission which 1 ask you to under
take would lead you into a remote part
of Africa, where neither your country
nor mine has at present any interests.
More than this 1 cannot tell you IN
less you show signs of accepting my
invitation. The negotiations which you
would have to conduct are simply
these: Four years ago a distinguish
ed German scientist who was in com
mand of a somewhat rash expedition
was captured by the ruler of the coun-
try to which 1 wish you to travel. For
some time the question of a mission
to ascertain his fate has been upon
the carpet. 1t is true that we have
received letters from him. He pro-
fesses to be happy and contented, 10
have been kindly treated and to have
accepted a post in the army of his
captor. We wish to know whether
these letters are genuine or not. If
they are genuine, all is well. but a sus-
picion still remains among some of us
that the person in question is being
held in torture as an example to other
white men who might penetrate so far.
This is the first object in the journey
which propose to you. There is moth
ing political about it at all, as you per-
ceive. 1t is purely a matter of hui
manity- All 1 see that our
party is to be increased. Here are
some new friends who arrive"
Mademoiselle Ike had succeeded,
She returned now to her place, follow
ed by the girl with the chestnut-col-
ored hair and her companion. At close
quarters the latter, at any rate, was
scarcely prepossessing. He was a man
of middle age, untidily dressed, whose
clothes were covered with cigar ash
and recent wine stains, whose linen
was none of the cleanest, and whose
eyes behind his pince-nez were al
ready blod-shot. Herr Freudenberg.
however, seemed to notice none of
these unpleasant defects He grasped
him vigorously by the hand.
1T is Monsieur Jesen" he exclaimed
often you have been pointed out to
me, and have long wished to have the
pleasure of making your acquaintance.
Sit down and join US, monsieur. Your
friend. too-ah, mademoiselle"
He bent low over the girls hand and
placed seat for her The party was
now arranged. Their host beamed
upon them all.
Come" he continued, this is per-
haps my last night in Paris for some
time! We have had adventure. too.r
within these few hours. You find u.s.
celebrating. Ny English friend here is .
one of us. 1 will not introduce him by :
name, Why should we trouble about :
names? We are all friends, all good Z
fellows, here to pass the time agree
ably. to drink good wine, to look into
beautiful eyes, mademoiselle. to amuse
ourselves. 1t is the science Of life.
that Monsieur Jesen, mademoiselle.
dear Marguerite, my English friend
here. let me be sure that your glasses
are filed. To the very brin. garcon-
to the very brim! Let us drink togeth-
er to the joyous evenings of the past.
to the joyous evenings of the future. TO
these few present hours that lie be-
fore us when we shall sit here and taste
further this very admirable vintage.
To the wine we drink, to the lips we
love, to this hour Of lifel"
For the moment there was no more
serious conversation. Herr Freudenbers
had started a vein of frivolity to which
every. one there was quick to respond.
Only every now and then he himself
the giver of the feast, had suddenly
the look OF different man as he sat
and whispered In the ear Of Monsieur
Jesen.
CONTINUED In Next Issus)