Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-03

table" she decided. You may present
me. / am Mademoiselle 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. was surprised
to see him even in so out of the way
a 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 fore
head, though thin. was distinct. Ken
bricks, however. took no notice Of it,
and the girl pretended that she had not
seen.
Julien" the former announced. hold
1 ing a chair for mademoiselle, II am
permitted the pleasure of presenting
you to Mademoiselle Sem, who already
knows your name. Mademoiselle sent
you a message a few minutes ago. If
she is good-natured she may choose to
explain IL. If not. what does it mat
ter? Mademoiselle will take her coffee
with US"
Julien rose to his feet and bowed very
slightly.
spare" he said. 'as 1 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
its charm.
Monsieur is not too gallant" she
murmured, but one is inclined to for
give him. If I may take my coffee, 1
will go. Monsieur has promised me that
he viii call and see madame?"
your friend in PARISH" Julien re-
marked, little doubtfullyl
"Ah. 1 dare not call her that" the
girl continued. Madame is different
II But / know that il is her wish that
/ for your welfare"
us il necessary" Julien asked, cold
/ ", that you should be so mysterious?
After all, you know the thing on the
face Of il is impossible. Madame prob
ably does not know of my existence. and
why should you take it for granted that
am going abroad?"
"Oh, Ia, la!' the girl interrupted. But
you amuse one! Madame knows every
WHICH EnE uE6lIGS 10 hAAON. As
to your going to France, monsieur over
there" she added. moving her head
backwards. told me so some minutes
ago"
/ And how the dickens did he know
and what right had he to talk about
my affairs?" Julien demanded, with all
an Englishman's indignation at his
movements having been discussed by
strangers.
4 suppose that it is his business to
know those things" she replied. slipping
her coffee. He is a very mysterious
young man. He takes a room sometimes
at the Milan hotel and he sends for me
I to manicure his hands. Then he asks
me very clever questions and 1 look
down and give him very clever answers.
Then he thinks. perhaps, that his meth
DDS are not quite the best and he sends
me great box of chocolates, some
stalls for the theater, some flowers
why not? Then he comes again to be
I manicured and he asks me more ques-
lions. but know so little Then some
times, not very often. he brings me out
to dine. Imagine for yourself, mon
/ sieur. she went on, with a wave of
/ the hand, 'the excitement, the wonder
Of all this to a poor French girl! And
again he asks questions, but again I
I know so little. And then, in the midst
OF our dinner his employer has sent
for him. He has to go on a journey.
1t is sad. is it not? He would like me
| to go with him TO the station to see
him of, but r" she shrugged her shoul
ders. why should 1 leave before
I have finished my dinner? In truth, he
wearies me. that young man. / do not
think, Sir Julien Portel, that English
men are very clever"
las a race" Julien declared grimly
Il agree with you. think most men ar
unutterable fools But this young adj
mirer of yOurs-what are these ques-
tions which he asks you so often and
be compelled to leave you and hurry
away?"
"Ah. monsieur!" she answered, at is
you now who ask questions. why should
tell you. indeed. more than I tell
him?"
Julien smiled.
Perhaps because it was a matter Of
moment to him whether you replied or
not. whereas. frankly, ask you these
questions only out of the idlest curios-
fly"
ALSO a ;ittle.' she remarked. ito
make conversation is IL not so? Very
well. then, Sir Julien Portel. let me tell
/ you this. If you do not know who that
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
I laughed softly, but genuinely. Even
/ Hendricks seemed 4 little take aback.
Upon my wordl" the latter exclaim-
ed This T. an interesting young per-
son! Madeuoiselle. congratulate you
J You have the gifts"
! Interesting. Indeedr' Julien agreed.
sitting up in his place. "Mademoiselle.
TO save my reputation with you I must
confess. ] do know who the young
man is. He is in the Intelligence branch
OF the secret service Of the British for
eign office--number department"
The girl nodded several times.
What YOU call IL ] do not know"