Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-02-27

'14ta.H 4N aslaa
W ~ ~ fg 81
On, who IN his large car was to take
the Count de Bourbon to the .gouver-
neur's mansion for immediate inroduc.
tlon, down to good Cato In q very new
gray coat and quite shiny black hat.
I heard the great railway train ap-
preaching, which was perhaps to bring
me my dishonor, and / drew those
tears back into my heart and stepped
forward to the steps Of the car, from
which I could see a very slight and
short but very distinguished looking
Frenchman about to descend.
II thank the good God I have never
before encountered him." said ip
my heart as stood in front Of him.
Lieutenant the Count de Bourbon,
I make you welcome to the state. Of
Harpeth, In the name o: my uncle,
the secretary Of that state" said to
him in the language Of his own coun.
try as I clapped together my heels
and gave to him the bow from the
waist Of a French gentleman who ID
not soldier. "Will you permit that
I lead you to that uncle?"
"Many thanks, monsieur, II 1t Car.
ruthers I name you after your dis
tinguished relative?" he made answer
to me as he returned my bow with
first one Of its kind and then q mill.
tary salute.
Robert Oarruthers, sir, and ut your
service" I made answer to him with
a great formality. And as ! spoke ]
saw that he gave me glance Of great
curiosity and would have asked q
question, but at that moment my
uncle, the General Robert. stood be.
side US.
II present to you the General Car.
ruthers, secretary Of the state of Har.
peth, Monsieur the Lieutenant Count
de Bourbon Of the Forty-fourth chas-
seurs Of the republic Of France" !
said with again great ceremony and
very deep bow.
I'm mighty glad to welcome you tc
old Harpeth, count. How did you
make the trip DOWN. said my uncle
the General Robert, as he held out his
large and beautiful old hand and gave
to the Count Edouard de Bourbon such
clasp that must have been to him
most painful.
~ thank you, monsieur the secretary
Of Harpeth; my journey was Of great
pleasure and comfort" were the words
which he returned in very nice Eng.
lish.
"Then We'll 60 right up and see Gov.
ernor Faulkner at the capitol before
lunch, count, II that suits you," my
uncle, the General Robert, said with q
very evident relief at those words OF
English coming from that French
mouth. Here's my car over this way
and this is Mr.. Clendenning, who'll
look after the rest Of the gentlemen 81
your party and bring them on up 10
the capitol"
Monsieur" said the Lieutenant
Count de Bourbon, with another bow
and then a quick recovery as be saw
that he must take the hand OF Buzz,
held out to him in great cordiality.
These handshakes Of America are very
confusing to those Of Europe.
Isaw a great laughter almost to ex-
plosion in the eyes Of my Buzz at the
very little man who had such q great
manner, and I made hurrying Of him
and my uncle, the General Robert, to
the large car standing beside the sta
ton.
II will precede you In my cherry" I
said, as I saw both the gentlemen
seated together upon the back seat OF
the large black machine.
mo you don't; you take your seat
right in here with us to be on hand II
any bridge Of this international conver'
sation breaks down under the count
and me-" answered my uncle, the Gen
eral Robert, with stern command.
"Is It that the young M. Carruthers
had an education in France?" asked
the lieutenant, the Count de Bourbon.
HE has the air Of French-shall I say
youth" And as he spoke again saw
a CLEAN Of deeply aroused interest In
his eyes which made my knees to trem-
BILE in their tweed trousers.
"Born there; son Of my brother, who
died at the Marne," made answer to
the question my uncle, the General
Robert.
ut Is now that 1 make a remem-
brance. That Capitaine Carruthers
was the husband to the very beautiful
Marquise de Gree and Bye. In her
youth I was her friend. Il did not
know But as the Lieutenant the
Count de Bourbon was making this
discovery, which sent thrill Of fear
Into the toes of my very shoes, the car
stopped at the main entrance Of the
capitol, and halfway down the long
fight Of steps stood his excellency the
great Gouverneur Faulkner Of the state
Of Harpeth waiting to receive the guest
who came on mission to him from
great land across the waters. Until !
die and even into a space beyond that
I shall take that picture Of magniH-
cence which was made by my beloved
Gouveneur Faulkner as he stood in
the May sunlight with his bronze hair
In q cleaning. l thought him to be a
great statue Of Succor as he held out
both Of his strong hands to the smaller
man who had come from a stricken
land for his help. s.
lie bon Dieu keep Of his heart a
friend Of France" prayed as I watch
ed those hands clasp as my uncle, the
General Robert, made the Introduction.
And all the long hours of that long
day were as dreams Of sadness and
fear to me as I went about the many
duties Of entertainment laid upon me.
At luncheon at that club Of Old Hick.
ory I sat opposite the small French.
man who sat on the right hand Of my
Gouverneur Faulkner, and opposite to
me sat my uncle, the General Robert
No business was in discussion at that
time, but I could see those eyes Of
French shrewdness make dartinG
from one face to another, and ever they
came back to me with q great puzzle
which gave to me- terrible fear. To oil