The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-01
n. LAXwORTHY took quite a
fancy to the grill room at the
Milan. Here for three days

Ing with keen interest the constant
coming and going of one Of the most
cosmopolitan crowds in Europe.
From his table against the wall and
with his strange gift OF reading the
spoken words from the fps OF those
whom he watched he skirted the edge
Of more than one romance. peered over
the brink into several strange little trag-
edies and learned something Of the
methods Of "a very well known fnancier.
ON the fourth morning, toward the
completion NJ his luncheon. an incident
occurred which brought him for the first
time into actual touch with one Of the
figures in this peepshow.
A lady entered the restaurant and de
sorting the main passage began slowly
to thread her way through the maze Of
tables toward the side of the room where
Mr.. Laxworthy sat. She came so slowly
and her appearance was 80 unusual that
nearly everybody turned to gaze at her
as she passed.
She was tall. slim and exceedingly
dark. Her complexion was absolutely
colorless, but seemed to he more the
natural pallor Of the French woman
than an evidence OF III health. She
was plainly dressed, but in the height
y. ~ S -
'"e'e VINO uiu ho' h""w Una, "er "a'
anu nv, '"s,"''. ''''e run '"e "e's"-
borhood Of the Rue de la Paix.
The maitre d'hotel came hurrying to
her side.
Madame desires o table," he MUIR
INJURED. Unfortunately on this side We
are full. will arrange something IL
madame will be No good as to follow
me-"
..s 70. ,,.'' "a ~. IT., -, >.
w.. - a,,,.,. w" VI VIM" '"'
81, ',r",.u ~, -, ,,.r.,. s,o ..,, d.,,a-
,,,,,, .,, a,,,,.,.,s 49,. ., u,a,,h ,ha 80
Mo- and as .nm zoo : nm o,nns
The i.dv ,oolad n, Mr. I.axwor,bv.s
a,s.nnsariny on,.i., ard ~, a, Mr Nv.
vor,hv Ue nromn,,v ,n,ernosed
"If The lady wo,,,d like nv table" no
.o,d "i, will no n, ,ih.r,v within Ave-
minutes"
lyon are very kind" the lady an.
.wered SOFTLY ~ will certainly wait"
Now. in an ordinary case the chief
maitre d'hotel would have escorted the
lady to the small reception room ad-
Joining the restaurant. would have kept
his eye upon Mr. I.axworthy's table.
would have had IL speedily rearranged
on the departure OF Mr. Laxworthy and
would have himself fetched madame at
the earliest opportunity. 1t happened.
however, that at that precise moment
quite his most important client touched
him on the elbow. With a word Of ex-
cuse he hurried away. The lady stood
for moment irresOlute. Mr.. Laxworthy
rose to his feet.
III you will honor me by accepting
the vacant seat at my table until the
arrival Of my coffee" he said, cit will
give me great pleasure"
She thanked him with very soft and
brilliant smile. She deposited her vel
vet bag and the trifies which she was
carrying upon the table, and seating
herself took up the menu.
you do not mind" she asked him,
III I order my luncheon? l am hun
cry"
Mr.. Laxworthy's coffee was hot and
they talked banalities. The question
OF nationalities arose. Mr.. Laxworthy
was invited to guess the birthplace OF
his companion. with commendable
chivalry he suggested Paris. The lady
smiled.
am south American she told MIN
u am over here on business. nave
Immense estates there which wish "a
SELL
Mr.. LaxwOrthy's eyes twinkled be-
hind his glasses.
"A very interesting country he MUIR
INJURED.
"A paradise" she replied.
II lived there for some seven years
Mr. Laxworthy remarked
I'm that case" the lady exclaimed
with little shrug Of her shoulder. 81
must rearrange the locality Of my es'
tates!"
All" Mr.. Laxworthy said softly
"South America Is rather q dangerous
country. People travel SO much nova
days"
She smiled.
"Of course you know who am really
come here from the Royal Opera HOUSE
at st. Petersburg and I am going t.
dance in the ballet at Covent Garden"
Mr.. Laxworthy nodded approvingly.
III you will permit me to say so with
out impertinence." ne declared. "you
statement il easily to be believed. Yo,
look the mart. scarcely see how
ever a.. nrac,icaI advaptapes-at nm,