The Press., 1917-01-04
wlndow of hls exeeIIency's room high

window of h,s excellcncy's room high up above. f#s z--a And the encounter with the beauti- full Madam Whitworth was much worse than I had thought that it would be, though also it was of very | interesting excitement. She had made ] ornaments for the encounter in the shape of very lovely tea apparel of an incredible thinness to be used for covering, little low fire i'll the golden grate and curtains of rose to throw somewhat Of glow over the situation. Immediately l was seated beside her on a small divan upon which there was room for only one and a half per sons, and my stupidity was called into vigorous action.
 II suppose you have spent the day in translating a lot of those long and tiresome French documents for the general and the governor. Thank goodness. that is no longer my task, she remarked as she tipped the cog mac bottle over my tea and handed the cup to me.
 
 upon a matter that one does not at all understand" I answered her as sip ped at that tea of very disagreeable taste because of the cOGnac.
 "D:d they give you the two sets of specifications to compareY' she asked of me. with not much of interest ap- par nt in hrr manner. though her hand shook as she poured for herself very small cup O. tea, which was then filled complete with cOgnac.
 "HPlas," answered. with a sigh. And it k impossible for me to add more figures to each other than my fingers will allow. cannot even use my toes.''
 Then he didn't get them ready for the conference this afternoOn?" she de- manded, with a great illumination of joy ill her face.
 "Oh, indeed. handed them back completed to lis excellency ill short space of t.lEr. Is not one mule like to another exactly? And why should d paper make them different?" l ques- toned. with deceit of stupidity.
 You are d dear boy" laughed that Madam Wh,tmOre. Of course those specifications agree, for l worked a whole day Ov, I them. And I'm glad you didn't tire your eyes out with them. You know, you are really very beautiful creature, and I think I'll kiss you just once, purely for the pleasure of il" And I thereupOn re- c ivcd a kiss upon my lips from the ''rrIel flower which was the mouth of that beautiful Madam WhitwOrth.
 ''IS it that the stupid Gouverneur Faulln"F must very soon sign that paper that sends the many strong mules to carry food to the soldiers of France fighting in the trenches!" l asked of her as made her comfortable in the hollow of my arm.
 "If he doesn't sign them in very 'ew days the deal is all off" she an SWercd me. Jeff has get his capita! Fo put up from some northern men who are-arc restless aad-and sus- DiciOus. It must go through and i'm nediately."
 '"Fhen 1t must be accomplished im- nediately." l answered her with dpCi- sion.
 ''The agent of the French govern nent will be here on Tuesday, and al, # these preliminary papers must be i"nCd before he can close the matte Ip finally. l hope that the conference over those specifications this afternoon will be the last, Are you sure you discovered no flaw over which the old ,en2ral or the big stupid governor can laggle:'
 q discovered not a flaw" l answer ed her, with great positivenesS. 'Do you say that it Is soon that those rep resentatives of my government come 0 make il last signing of the papers about the excellent mules to be sent rom the great state of Harpeth to France who Is at war of death? lad not heard of the nearness of the iSit at the capitol"
 '"They don't know it-that is, Gov :. Aor Faulkner does, but has told only ne. He sees things my way, but of )f course he has to keep his councils from his secretary of state for the time