Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-11-23

| At that moment a lady in white
entered from the street and started
across the room toward a door that
led to the chambers above.
"Bonjour. madamer' Christophe
said politely. 1t was his mysterious
| ledger. And since she paid well
there was every reason why he should
| be affable to her
"Bonjour!" the young woman an
swered. She did not recognize her
fellow guest until he approached with
| outstretched hand
Great Scott Youi" he cried. scarce
believing his own eyes.
Ethel Willoughby-for 1t was She
| could not do otherwise than pause. She
stared at Charlie Brown.
How do you do, Mr.. BROWNE" she
said. Her manner was nervous, con-
strained. But Charlie Brown did not
| notice that in his surprise. He took
her hand with undisguised delight.
Imagine meeting you here" be said
with great good-humor II suppose 1
ought to say, This Is a small world
after ALL"
Henri Christophe had witnessed
their unexpected meeting with all the
interest of a curious-minded resident of
small village. 1t pleased him, more
over, that his newly found friend from
New York already knew his feminine
Iodger.
'Ah, m'sieu knows Madame d.
Lorde! That is good, good" he muir
INJURED, as he beamed upon them both.
Charlie Brown looked first at Henri
ChristOphe-then back at Ethel again.
And an expression of bewilderment
spread over his face.
Madame de Lorde?" he said to her
questioningly.
yes, yes.' she answered inpatient
~. And he perceived then that she
was decidedly Ill at ease. But all that
escaped the pleased innkeeper.
"And now 1 myself will prepare din
ner," Christophe announced. Perhaps
you and madame will dine together"
he told Mr.. Brown.
why, yes, sure-if madame WILL"
Charlie agreed promptly. So far as he
was concerned, nothing could please
him more.
Ethel consented to the arrangement.
she was Immensely relieved that the
Quick-witted journalist so readily &C
cepted her alias
Good, goodw their delighted host
exclaimed. Sweet consomme, Ell?
Boiled chicken, an artichoke, a bit of
salad, and some coffee-real American
coffee, without chicory, eh, m'sieuT"
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
cries Of his two guests.
Great! Sounds immense" Mr..
Brown rejoined with enthusiasm.
"Yes, m'sieu-immense! That Is
your good American word.
shall serve such a dinner as the Lion
dor never has seen beforer' 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
1shed 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 a stout
heart
You seem surprised-and quite nat
urally,'' she said, Eat 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 I
now"
"Surely-surely" 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
and-alive spot?" 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
ing, of courser'
mot exactly" Ethel replied, just a
bit lameiy, perhaps. "My husband
isn't here-just now. He had some
business in Brussels, but 1 came on
ahead"
She had, indeed, left Streetman in
the Belgian capital. "Shall you be
staying longF" 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
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
ooh! Then you won't be able to
meet Monsieur de Lorde," she said
with a note of regret. 81 don't expect
him till tomorrow"
Charlie Brown murmured his regret
AFT that circumstance