New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-06

kitchen table moved into the living room
for the occasion. Imposing candelabra
adorned the four corners Of the table. and
the very best plate in the castle was put 10
Use. There were roses in the center Of the
board. huge bowl Of short-stemmed Mar
shall Mel beauties The Countess chair
was pulled out by my stately butler.
Hawkes.. mine by the almost equally i'm
posing footman, and we faced each other
across the bowl Of roses and lifted an Ameri-
can cocktail to the health Of those who were
about TO sit down 70 the feast. The Count
ess admitted having made it herself.
1T is the best Manhattan | ever tasted
said | warmly.
1T was meant TO be a Martini, she said
sorrowfully.
We began with a marvellous hOys d'Gmyes:
then a clear soup, a fish aSpic, "a Why
rhapsodize? Let it be sufficient il | say tina.
in discussing the Aladdin-like feast | secret
" and faithfully promised my chef a mate
rial increase in wages.
Have | told YOU, Mr.. Smart, said the
Countess suddenly, that am expecting my
mother here TO visit me week after next.
She tactfully put the question 10 me- az
time when | was 50 full OF COntentmcn- tha,
nothing could have depressed me. ] must
confess, however, that | was guilty ~ gulp-
ing my champagne a little noisily. The
question came with the salad cour5c
you don't say SOL | eXclaimc- quite
cheerfully.
"That is to say, she is coming il you think
YOU can manage it quite safely.
Il manage It, My dear Coun-e5, why
speak Of managing a thing that Is 50 OBJ
viously to be desired;'
You don't understand. Can you mtg
Ole her into the castle without anyone know
Ing thing about it, You see, She j. being
watched every minute OF the time ly de-
tectiycs. spies. secret agents lawyer, and
Heaven knows who else The instant she
leaves Paris-bang, It will be Ike 'ae start
er's shot in a race. They will be after her
like q streak. And if YOU are not very, very
clever they will play hob with everything
"Then why run the risk" ] ycn-lred.
NV two brothers are coming with her,
she said reassuringly. They are such big,
strong fellows that ~.
NV dear Countess, it isn't strength well
need, deplorcd.
NO. no. I quite understand. T. is cum
ming, strategy, caution, and al tha, rort ..
thing. But ! will let you know io ample
time. 50 that YOU may be prepare. You
are 50 wonderfully ingenious at working OUT
plots and conspiracics in your oon.r Nh
Smart. that am confident YOU can -anage
everything beautifully.
Blatchfori was removing my salad plate
\ spasm Of alarm came over ne. had
quite forgotten the two men. The look %.
warning gave her brought forth g. Merry
amused smile
~Don't hesitate 70 speak before Batch
ford and Hawkes.. she said, % my a.-onish-
mcnt. They are % be trusted implicitly.
DO YOU mean % say, Countess, that
at has al been quite satisfactorily A.
tended 70 through Mr. Poopendyke She
said. ~He consulted me before definitely
engaging anyone, Mr.. Smart. and referred
him % my lawyers in Vienna. do hope
that Hawkes., and Blatchtord, and Hem The
chef are quite satisfactory 20 you. hey
were recently employed by someone Z. he
British Embassy at
PRAY rest easy, Countess" ! manage 20
say. intcrrupting out Of consideration =
Hawkes. and Barchfori. who. ! though
might feel uncomfortable AZ hearing then
selves discussed So impcrSonally. Ever.
thing IS most satisfactory. did not realize
that / had You % thank Tor my preSen,
mental and astronomical comfort. lo@
have surrounded me with diadems.
WIOULD YOU be entertained by q -e4.
w mv,,cry," she asked. leaning ,o"r.
me with q glenn II excitement IN her eyes.
bold - ". .....-.s