Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21
CHAPTER IX.-Continued.

SSAee4
do you think don't understand that
a little?" she murmured. Never mind,
for tonight, at least, / will be sexless
You can believe that I am a man.
think you Will find that can talk to you
about most Of the things that men know
OF. Politics we will leave alone. You
would mistrust me at once. ArtI can
tell you of our modern French painters:
I can tell you about these two wonderful
Russians who are painting in their studio
here; can tell you what to look for at
the new exhibitions, what studios to visit
4 can take you to them, If you will. Or
old Paris-does that interest your Have
you ever seen it properly? know my
old Paris very well indeed. Or would
you rather talk of books? There have
been many years when have done little
else but read. Tell me that we may be
companions for time. You have moth
ing to lose, indeed, and I have SO much to
gain.'
Madame Julien replied. 81 do not
trust you. You are doubtless an agree
to spend short time with you. This is
an ungraciouS acceptance of your sug
gestion, but it is the best I am capable
off,
She clapped her hands.
1T is something, after ALL she de-
clared. land let me tell you this, my
friend" she added. leaning over, you
have been frank with me. You have told
me that you hated my sex, that you dis
trusted us all. Very well. | will share
your frankness. I will tell you this
Neither am 1 any friend of your sex. l.
too. have my grievance. /. too: have
something in my heart of which I can
not speak. which, when 1 think of it.
makes me hate every male creature that
walks the earth. Perhaps with that in
my heart and what you have in yours.
We may meet and pass and meet again
and pass, and do one another no harm.
Is that finished?'
by all MEANS" he agreed
Her expression changed.
Come" she said. now you shall see
that /! have begun my plots. l have
brought you away from Paris into the
country places. For what. wonder?
mot in the least" he assured her.
Brave fellow! Perhaps when you
know the truth your heart will shake with
fear. You are going to dine in a country
restaurant"
THAT does not terrify me in the least. .
he replied, smiling. Il think that it will
be charming
1T is tiny place." she told him, mot
very well known as yet; soon, fear,
likely to become fashionable. One sits
at little tables on lawn Of the darkest>
green. If the sun shines an umbrella
of pink and white holland shades us.
Quite close is the river and a field Of
buttercups. There are flowers in the gar
den, and so many shrubs that one can be
almost alone And behind. an old inn
They cook simply, but the trout comes
from the river and 1t is COOL
1T sounds delightful" Julien admitted;
but. madame. indeed it Is who must
be host"
She shook her head.
"On the contrary, it is my subtlety that
l have brought you here and that claim
to be the giver Of the feast You see, you
dine with me tonight. You must ask me
back again. 1t is the custom of your
country, is 1t not?''
He smiled. The automobile had turned
In now up short drive. and stopped be-
fore long. low building. Down In the
gardens they could see fairy lights swing
ing In the faint breeze. A short man.
with close-cropped hair and fierce black
mustache and imperial, came Fastening
out to greet them. When he recognized
Nine. Christopher he bowed low.
M. Leon,' she said, Il bring an Eng
must give me a table near that great tree
of lilac that smells SO sweetly. l order
nothing-you understand? But you must
remember that monsieur is English. He
will want his champagne dry and his
brandy very old Is it not SO, my friend?
Now l will give you into charge of mon
sieur lie proprietaire here. He shall show
You where you can drink little aperitif,
If you will. He shall show you, too,
where to find me presently"
possession of Nine. Christopher Julien
followed his guide into a small reception
room, all pink and white.
If monster desires to wash,' the pro-
prietor explained. The passes beyond
there. And for an aperitif?"
I will take anything you send me-"
Julien declared. What is the name of
this place, MONSIEUR
"They call it the Maison Leon dor,
monsieur" the man replied. 1T is my
NJ fv0y
once for myself, but found it too far,
alas! from Paris. In the fine weather
we could, II we chose, have half Paris
here. When the cold days come there is
nobody. Monsieur permits?''
He departed and Julien strolled to the
window In the portion of the gardens
over which he looked were smaller tables.
set out simply for those who desired to
take their coffee and liqueurs or aperitif
out of doors. Julien glanced out idly
enough at the little groups of people dot
ted about here and there. Then his face
suddenly darkened. At a table within a
few yards of where he stood were seated
Foster and man whose back was turned
toward him.
Julien's first impulse was to retire out
Of sight. for the window was open and
he himself imperfectly concealed by the
muslin blind. Then, as he was on the
point OF retiring. he distinctly heard the
sound of his own name. The two men
were speaking In low tone, but slight
breeze was blowing into the room. Julien
stood still and listened. The man who
was stranger to him was speaking to
Foster
THE woman is first, 1t is true" he NUT
tered. "She will pump him dry, no doubt.
But what matter? She may even put him
on his guard, but say again. what mat
ter? There is a price for everything a
price Or
The mans voice died away and Julien
heard nothing for some time. Then he
saw Foster shake his head.
Our SERVICE" Foster declared. s.does
not protect us in such q position It does
not allow us to go to extremes. 1 am
supposed to be here to watch him. but I
am really powerless He might become
your man or hers or any one else's II
could do nothing but report
His companion leaned across the table
What you call your secret service"
Julien heard him say, SIS farce. You
have no authority, no scope. You are
too proud to ferret about as the others
do. You sit in dignifed ease and wait
for information to be brought to you. NV
good Foster. you must learn to be man.
We must teach YOU.
Again their voices became inaudit,le
Julien drew back into the room His heart
was beating faster his brain was fun OF
new thoughts. From a place where he
was absolutely secure he sat and Razed
at Foster and his companion. Presently
the waiter entered with the aperitif
Julien gave him five francs.