River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-10-30

not arrive!
Il know he will not come,'' said the
Greek sovereign, playing with his
bread. HE could not hope to escape
recognition with those COMPOUNDED
Yankee journalists tagging him every
where that he goes"
Il think he will come" said Haa-
kon. did you ever know him to re-
fuse an opportunity for such an adven-
ture?"
yes, he'll come" answered Lord
Claude. Unfortunately because"
The door opened and Monsieur
Gabriel bowed to the floor like fat
angel Of the Annunciation. And close
behind him strobe TALL kingly figure,
clad in a voluminous robe, which he
threw into Monsieur Gabriels arms,
| disclosing the personality of the kais-
er himself
His four brother sovereigns rose ST.
simultaneously and embraced him. Lord
Claude bowed over his hand, and VIII
helm, seating himself at the vacant
! place, called loudly for wine. At the
same moment two pretty mattresses
appeared from behind a curtain, bear
ing the soup tureen and dishes, while
Paul, as head waiter doomed up i'm
portant in the background. And SO
the dinner began.
They joked and chaffed with one an
other throughout the meal, the kais-
er's presence lending an atmosphere
Of supreme good-fellowship to the pre-
| Ceedings. Lord Claude, impressive I'D
inscrutable as he was, unbent at the
kaiser's charming raillery The meal
membered something
BY the way, Tresham," he said,
why did you remark that his majesty
would come unfortunately? That
was the very word, | believe. Come,
speak up and tell us"
That" ans Wered Tresham, will
form part of the subsequent proceed
ings of the club. The meeting" he
added, looking at his watch, will not
begin till nine. 1t is now twenty min
utes short of the hour"
The cloth was removed, walnuts
were placed beside the port, in accord
ance with Monsieur Gabriel's immemo-
rial CUSTOM and the guests relaxed
themselves in their chairs The clock
struck nine. Monsieur Gabriel, bow
ing low, dismissed b:1aself to a chorus
of compliments.
Go now, mademoiselles, he said to
the pretty mattresses. go, monsieur"
he added to Paul The latter moved
with the girls toward the exit behind
| the curtain. His mission was in the
making-ten minutes more and
Then Lord Claude Tresham stood
up in his chair.
"One moment, please" he said.
Monsieur Gabriel, where did you get
these ladies?"
These ladies, monsieur as you are
pleased 30 call them, are experienced
mattresses and highly recommended, .
answered the proprietor, smiling.
"Mademoiselle Armine, here, served
with the family of the Due de Berry
for three years. Mademoiselle Nan
nette grew up, as | may say, with the
family of the Due de Nemours Her
references are irreproachable."
Enough" said Tresham. you and
Mademoiselle Armine may retire
through the door. Mademoiselle Nan
nette remains; she wishes to speak
with us"
Gentlemen" he said you have
wished to know why | referred to the
visit of his majesty, the German en-
peror, as unfortunate We need have
no secrets here. Our cards are all
on the table Your majesties, permit
me to present Miss Nancy Shand."
The rulers inclined their heads
gravely. "A friend of yours, Lord
Tresham?" inclined the Greek sover-
eign blandly
No" answered Lord Claude CURLY.
"One of your confounded Yankee jour
nalists, and the cleverest in Europe
at the present day
THE devil" shouted the Greek
king, springing up in his chair and
then collapsing with an apologize
air We'll, the fats in the fire now"
he muttered.
Miss Shand," said Lord Tresham.
y
lady, you are here tonight because,
by a stroke of good fortune, you have
learned of the existence and meeting
of our club.
You are we'll aware of what l dis
covered an hour before the dinner,
that a conspiracy has been formed
against his majesty, the kaiser in the
in4n oF
esty, King Peter of Servia and his
highness, Prince Nicholas of Montene-
gro Am I correct?"
II am not at liberty to give out ad-
vance Information" Miss Nancy an
swered.
But since you know more than l,
Miss Shand-or else you would not
have been here-I will be frank with
you. King Peter and Prince Nicholas
have resolved to make a sudden at
tack on Turkey-pray, sir, be seated
and have patience for moment. They
learned that his majesty, the German
emperor, intended to visit France.
They planned to detain him here for
four and twenty hours, confident that,
in his absence, none would have cour-
age enough to veto their intentions.
And, once the war had begun, all Eu-
rope would be a1ame, and they would
pull some fine plums out of the pud-
ding"
"All this was unknown TO me-" said
Miss Shand demurely. But it will
make excellent material for the Globe
Mercury. All l knew, Lord Tresham,
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