The midland journal., 1916-11-17
CHAPTER xlI-continued.


Ethel consented to the arrangement.
She was immensely relieved that the
quick-witted journalist so readily ac-
cepted her alias.
tGood, good" their delighted host
exclaimed. Sweet consomme, Ell?
Boiled chicken, an artichoke, bit Of
salad, and some coffee American
coffee, without chicory, eh, m'sieu?"
He was already edging toward the
door that led kitchenward, to begin
his preparations for meal that should
forever perpetuate his inn in the mem
Ories Of his two guests.
"Great! Sounds immensew Mr..
Brown rejoined with enthusiasm.
Eyes, m'sieu-immense! That L.
your good American word. +.
shall serve such a dinner as the Lion
dor never has seen beforew And
Henri disappeared in high spirits.
After the depressing dullness Of the
past weeks it was indeed exhilarating
to minister to two appreciative pa
irons.
BY the time Christophe had van
ashed Ethel Willoughby had quite re-
covered her self-possession. And when
Charlie Brown turned to her with a
look of inquiry upon his face she was
ready to meet his scrutiny with stout
heart.
"You seem surprised-and quite nat
urally," she said, "at hearing that man
call me Madame de Lorde."
swell, that afternoon 1 knew you
as Miss Willoughby," he replied.
"But was then Madame de Lorde, !"
Ethel explained glibly. "You see, Mr.
Brown, I'd been married secretly"
"Secretly?"
There were reasons-good rea-
sons" she rejoined. II could not ex-
plain what they were then; nor can I
now"
'Surely-surelyr' he acquiesced, for
he had not the slightest desire to pry
into her private affairs. "But what
on earth are you doing in this dead
eand-alive spotT' And then, in the next
breath. he exclaimed, as sudden in
spiration came to him, "Oh, by George!
How dull of me! You're honeymoon
Eng, of coursep'
mot exactlyw Ethel replied, just a
bit lamely, perhaps. "My husband
isn't here-just now. He had some
business in Brussels. but came on
ahead"
She had, indeed, left Streetman in
the Belgian capital. "Shall you be
staying longr she asked Mr.. Brown.
"No! I'm or in the morning he
Informed her.
The information relieved her vastly.
she had not relished the thought of
having to confess to the American that
Monsieur de Lorde was no other than
his erstwhiie acquaintance Of the tea
party-Henry Streetman. But as a
spy in his majesty's service. Ethel took
ass easily to subterfuge as a duck to
water. She surprised herself often by
the readiness with, which plausible
tales sprang to her lips.
"Oh! Then you won't be able to
meet Monsieur de Lorde," she said
with note Of regret. II don't expect
him till tomorrow"
Charlie Brown murmured his regret
at that circumstance.
''But what are you doing herer
Ethel asked him then. Perhaps you've
a secret in your past too" she added
gayly.
But Mr.. Brown could lay claim to
no such romantic excuse.
''Oh, came over looking for a war
ne explained
"And you haven't found it?'
Nothing like it at allT he replied
~The day after l saw you got a
straight tip to beat 1t for Belgium. !
bought yon one-and-a half cylinder
1886 bicycle, and I've pedaled away fol
three days, till feel all legs and back
My right name, this minute, is George
w. AchowellP And Charlie Brown
sat dowu by the table upon which Ma
dame de l.arde was resting her trim
albcw