Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-10-06
CHAPTER Xll-Continued.

Ethel consented TO the arrangement.
She was immensely relieved that the
quick-witted journalist so readily &C.
cepted her alias.
Good, goodr' their delighted host
exclaimed. Sweet consomme, Ell?
Boiled chicken, an artichoke bit Of
salad, and some coffee-real American
coffee, without chicory, eh, m'sieu"
He was already edging toward the
door that led kitchenward, to begin
his preparations for a meal that should
forever perpetuate his inn in the men,
Dries Of his two guests.
Great Sounds immensew Mr..
Brown rejoined with enthusiasm.
eyes, m'sieu-immense! That Is
your good American word. I
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
lshed 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, Eat hearing that man
call me Madame dp Torde -
"Well, that afternoon l 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
oow."
"Surely-surelyw he acquiesced, for
ne had not the slightest desire to pry
into her private affairs. But what
on earth are you doing in this dead
and-alive spot?" And then, in the next
breath, he exclaimed, as a sudden in
bPil ullOl NoIuC W hllll' vi, ny NCOl &c.
How dull of me! You're honeymoon
ing, of course"
"Not exactly Ethel replied, just a
bit lamey, 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
staying long" she asked Mr.. Brown.
"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 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 tc
meet MGsieur de Lorde," she said
with note of regret. II don't expect
aim till tomorrow"
Charlie Brown murmured his regret
at that circumstance.
But what are you doing hereY
Ethel asked him then. perhaps you've
secret in your past too?" she added
gayly.
But Mr.. Brown could lay claim t
no such romantic excuse.
"Oh, came over looking for q war,
be explained.
and you haven't found itY'
Nothing like 1t at all!' he replied
~The day after I saw you l got {
straight tip to beat 1t for Belgium.
bought yon one-and-a-half cylinder
1916 bicycle, and I've pedaled away fo
three days, till feel all legs and back
by right name, this minute, is Georg,
". Achewellw And Charlie Brown
nat down by the tnble upon which Ma
lame de Lords was resting hor trin
&bow.