The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-08-12

Francis Enters With the Queen Into
the Great Library and Her Delight
Is Naive and ChildIike
By JACK LONDON.

snip - the Sun GD4 - M0EaAtE Vt4
BY my peopler'
He smiled at the almost perfect
appositeness OF her idea saying:
at 10 the great American god.
Also, Il Is a very terrible god. and
when lt Stays It Stays terribly and
swiftly"
And you have incurred its dis
she Queried.
Alas. yes, though I know not
how. must 90 to Wall street
which u its ALTAR" she broke
IN to ask.
(which Is its altar. he an
sWered, and where / must ind CUT
wherein / have offended and where
in may placate and make amsndss
His hurried attempt 10 explain 10
her the virtues and functions OF the
maid he had wired for from Colon
scarcely interested her, and she
broke him on BY saying that evil
IDENTIFY the maid was similar % the
Indian woman, who had attended
her IN the Valley Of Lost fouls and
that she had been accustoned 70
personal service ever slice she WA
a little girl learning English and
Spanish from her mother On the
house on the lake.
But when Francis caught up his
hat and kissed her. she relented
and wished him luck before the
altar.
After several hours Of amazing
adventures in her own quarters.
where the maid. a spanish-speaking
French woman. acted as guide and
mentor. and after being yariously
measured and gloated over BY q
gorgeous woman who seemed her
self q queen and who was attended
by two young women. and who. In
the Queens mind, was without
doubt summoned TO serve her and
Francis, she came back down the
grand stairway to investigate the
library with its mysterious tele-
phone and ticker.
A Mystery.
Long she gazed at the ticker and
listened to its irregular chatter.
But she, who could read and write
English and Spanish. could make
nothing OF the strange hieroglyphics
that grew miraculously on the tape.
Next she explored the first Of the
telephones. Remembering how
Francis had listened. she put her
ear to. the transmitters Then. recol-
lecting his use OF the receiver. she
took Il on its hook and placed Il
to her ear. The voice. Enthusiastically
a womans, sounded 50 near 70 her
that In her started surprise she
+. dropped the receiver and recoiled.
At this moment. Parker. Francis
old valet, ehanced to enter the room
She had not observed him before.
and. 50 Immaculate was his dress.
so dignified his carriage. that she
mistoOk him for a friend OF Fran
els. rather than servitoF-a friend
similar to Bascom. who had met
them at the station with Francis
machine, ridden inside with them as
an equal yet departed with Francis
commands in his ears, which Il WAS
patent he was TO. obey.
At sight Of Parker's solemn face
she laughed with embarrassment
and pointed inquiringly at the teie-
phone Soiemnly he picked up the
receiver, murmured "A mistake
into the transmitter and hung up.
In those several seconds the Queens
thought underwent revolution No
gods. nor spirit voice. had been that
which she had heard. but wonan's
voice.
'.swhere is that woman she de-
manded.
Parker merely stifened up more
stifIIy. assumed a more solemn ex-
preston. and bowed.
There is a woman concealed in
the house" she charged with quick
words. Her voice speaks there IN
that, thing She must be in the next
Ut was central" Parker attempts
ed to stem the food Of her utter
ance.
II care not what her name Is"
the Queen dashed on. Il shall have
no other woman but myself in my
house. Bid her begOne! am very
Angry"
Parker MAS even sitter and sol
emner. and a new mood came over
her PeFhaps- this dtgnifled gentle
man was higher than she had slis-
pected in the hierarchy Of the lesser
kings. she thought Almost might
he. be an equal king with Francis.
and she had treated him peremptor-
lily as less. as much less
She caught him by the hand, IN
her righteousness not noting bis
relpctapee, drew. him pveF TO sofa,
and made him sit beside her. TO
add to Parkeris diFcOufiture. she
dipped into. a hox of candy and be-
gan to feed him chocolates. closing
his mouth with the sweets every
time he, opened il TO protest.
Come, she said. when she had
almost ehoked him. lis il the Gus
tom Of the men OF this country to be
pOlyRamous7
Parker was Rghast at such raw
ness Of fTankness. -
Leading Questions.
'"Oh, know the meaning Of the
word" she assured him. so r :
peat. is It the custom OF the men Of
his country to be pOlygamops?"
There is no woman in this house
besides yourself. madam, except
women" he managed to enunciate.
That voice you heard Is nOt the
voice OF woman in this house. hut
the voice of a woman miles away
who Is your servant. or Is anybody
servant who desires to talk, over
the telepho9e."
she is the slave Of the mystery"
the queen questioned. beginning
to get q dim glimmer OF the actual
ity Of the matter.
yes" her husbands valet admit
ted. She is a slave of the tele-
phone" e"
'Of. the dying speeehT'
Yes. madam, call 1t that. Of the
flying speech" He was desperate ia
escape from a situation unprece-
/ will show you, madam. mis- slave
-