The Washington times., 1918-10-27

-HE second evening after Bur
well arrived in Paris, feeling
! lonely without his wife and
daughter, who were still visiting
a friend in London, mis- mind
naturally turned to the theatre.
So, after consulting the daily
amusement calendar, he decided
to visit the Folies Bergere,
which he had heard of as one OF
the notable sights. During an in
termission he went into the beauti-
full garden, where gay crowds were
strolling among the flowers and
lights and fountains. He had Just
seated himself at a little three
legged table, with a view to enjoy
ing the novel scene, when his atten-
tion was attracted by a lovely wo-
man, gowned strikingly, though in
perfect taste, who passed near him,
leaning on the arm Of gentleman.
Now Burwell had never posed as
& captiyator of the fair sex, and
could scarcely credit his eyes when
the lady left the side of her escort
and, turning back as if she had for
fotten something, passed close by
him, and deity placed card on his
table. The card bore some French
words written in purple ink, but,
not knowing that language, he was
unable to make out their meaning.
The lady paid no further heed to
him, but, reioining the gentleman
with the eyeglasses, swept out Of
the place with the grace and dig
nifty Of a princess. Burwell re-
manned staring at the card.
Needless to say, he thought no
more of the performance or of the
other attractions about him. Every
thing seemed fat and tawdry COM
pared with the radiant vision that
had appeared and disappeared so
mysteriously. His one desire now
was to discover the meaning Of the
words written on the card.
Calling a fiacre, he drove to the
Hotel Continental, where he was
staying. Proceeding directly to the
Office and taking the manager aside,
Burwe1 asked if he would be kind
enough to translate a few words of
French into English.
why, certainly" said the man
ager, with French politeness, and
cast his eyes over the card. As he
read, his face grew rigid with as
tonishment, and, looking at his
questioner sharply, he. exclaimed:
Where did you get this monsieur"
Burwell started to explain, but
was interrupted by: THAT will do"
What do you,mean?" asked the
man from New York, in amazement.
you must leave the hotel now
to-night-without fail" commanded
the manager excitedly.
Now it was BurwelIs turn to
grow angry, and he declared heat
edly that If he wasn't wanted in
this hotel there were plenty Of
others in Paris where he would be
welcome. And, with an assumption =
Of dignity, but piqued at heart, he
settled his bill, sent for his belong
ings, and drove up the Rue de la
Paix to the Hotel Bellevue.
The next morning he met the pro-
prietor, who seemed to be a good
fellow, and, being inclined now to
view the incident of the previous
evening from its ridiculous side,
Burwell explained what had be-
fallen him.
why, the man was a fool" de-
clared the proprietor. Let me see
the card; l will tell you what it
means" But as he read, his face
and manner changed instantly.
This is a serious matter" he
said sternly. Now l understand
why my confrere refused to enter
tain you. l regret, monsieur, but
l shall be obliged to do as he did"
With that he turned on his heel,
and the indignant guest could not
prevail upon him to give any ex-
planation.
1t was now nearly noon, and the
New Yorker remembered an en-
to lunch with a friend
from Boston, who, with his family,
was stopping at the Hotel de l'Alma.
With his luggage on the carriage,
be ordered the cocher to drive d.
rectly there, determined to take
counsel with his countryman before
selecting new quarters. His friend