Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1917-09-21
CHAPTER xIl-continued.

Ethel consented to the arrangement
She was immensely relieved that the
quick-witted Journalist so readily ac-
cepted her alias.
Good. good. their delighted host
exclaimed. "Sweet consomme, Ell?
Boiled chicken. an artichoke, a bit of
salad and some coffee-real American
coffee without chicory, ell, 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 men,
cries of his two guests.
Great. Sounds immensew Mr..
Brown rejnined with enthusiasm.
Eyes, r'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 IL was indeed celebrating
to minister to two appreciative pa
irons
BY the time Christophe had van
ished 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. "at hearing that man
call me Madame Ge 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. II could not ex-
plain what they were then; nor can I
now"
"Sure.y-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
spiration came to him, "Oh, by George.
How dull of me! You're honeymoon
ing. of course!'
Not exactlyr' Ethel replied, just a
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. "Shail 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 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 herew'
Ethel asked him then. Perhaps you've
a secret In your past toor she added
gayly.
But Mr.. Brown could lay claim to
no such romantic excuse.
''Oh, I came over looking for a war;
he explained.
"And you haven't found lit"
Nothing like 1t at allw he replied
'The day after l saw you / got a
straight tip to beat it for Belgium.
bought yon one-and-a-half cylinder
1s46 bicycle. and I've pedaled away for
three days. till feel all legs and back
Ny right name, this minute, is George
w Achewellw And Charlie Brown
sat down by the table upon which Ma
dame de Lorde was resting her trim
slbow.