The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-10-27
CHAPTER xli-Continued.

Ethel consented to the arrangement
She was Immensely relieved that the
quick-wltted journalist so readily &C.
copied her alias.
Good, good" their delighted host
exclaimed. Sweet consomme, Ell?
Boiled chicken, an artichoke, bit of
salad, and some coffee-real American
coffee, without chicory, eh, msieu"
He was already edging toward the
his preparations for meal that should
forever perpetuate his inn in the men,
cries of his two guests.
Great Sounds immensew Mr.
Brown rejolned with enthusiasm.
"Yes, m'sieu-immense That is
your good American word.
shall serve such a dinner as the Lion
dor never has seen before!' 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
hshed Ethel Willoughby had quite re-
covered her self-possession. And when
Charlie Brown turned to her with
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."
"Well, that afternoon I 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 81 could not ex-
plain what they were then; nor can l
now"
"Surely-surelyw he acquiesced, soe
he had not the slightest desire to prS
into her private affairs. but what
on earth are you doing In this dead.
and-alive spotT" And then. In the next
breath. he exclaimed, as a sudden in
SEPARATION came to him, "Oh, by George.
How dull Of me! You're honeymoon
ang of course!'
Not exactlyw Ethel replied, just
bit lamely, perhaps. "My husband
isn't here-just now. He had some
business in Brussels, but l came on
ahead"
She had, indeed, left Streetman in
the Belgian capital, "Shall you be
70 xyirl oh II
"No! I'm off 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 erstwhile acquaintance of the tea
party-Henry Streetman. But as a
spy in his majesty's service, Ethel took
as 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 a note of regret. ~ don't expect
him till tomorrow"
Charlie Brown murmured his regret
at that circumstance.
"But what are you doing here?'
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, 7 came over looking for a war"
he explained.
"And you haven't found itT'
Nothing like It at allr' he replied.
1.-THE day after I saw you got a
straight tip to beat 1t for Belgium. I
bought yon one-and-a-half cylinder
1916 bicycle, and I've pedaled away for
three days. till feet all legs and back.
Ny right name. this minute, is George
w. Achewellp And Charlie Brown
sat down by the table upon which Ma
dame ds Lorda was resting her trim
elbow