davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18

should have been discarded at once.
The people who serve us over the
counter are mere boys and girls. If
we go to expostulate about the in
come tax the boy who receives US
scarcely reaches up to the guichet
through which we glare. The re-
sponsible and experienced men
whom our mothers knew are no
longer with us.
Instead Of the friendly, personal
note in tradesmen that once pre-
vailed, we have great company,
which, subjected to hindrances in it's
turn, is not as effective as 1t might
wish. It's keynote is Indifference.
1t does not heed our impassioned
voice upon the telephone, explaining
the grouse has not arrived. It tells
us we are B.900 in a ledger con-
tanning 1000 names, but CO In it's
war meaning would best describe
our sensations.
The bride cannot swoon nowadays
I'm order that fond parents may rush
to her aid. She Is modern, and must
stand alone. Just as she feels that
her ambarrassments will overwhelm
her. the baby arrives. He. too. il
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18
AS LIFE
LONDON, Dec. II.


"O outward appearance the
starting in life of young bride
is much the same today as 1t
was in her mothers time. There is
q crowded church, Mendelssohn.
houseful Of wedding presents, and
the motor car at the door to watt
the newly married away into happi-
ness.
But sometimes there is not the
same chance Of happiness as once
there was, Gays a correspondent OF
the London Times. The bride asks
herself that question when she set
ties down to home life and is con-
fronted by the new difficulties OF
those times, difficulties that her
mother never dreamt Of when she
was young.
The bridal pair deserve our SYM
pathy, for. unlike their parents,
they have no memory behind them
of a secure time that might make a
basis for hope. The husband finds
that his income. once thought a
good one, possesses half of its for
, mer purchasing power; that taxation.
rent, premiums and rates take all
he might have spent on clothes or
sports.
In her turn the bride, as ignorant
of household craft as was her moth
or before her, unlike that mother
finds that she has no skilled serv-
ants to fall back upon, but only raw
material, girls who are, for the most
part, bent on their own amusement
and who expect to take high pay for
little work. Like their mistress,
they have learned nothing at home.
Given this combined ignorance.
you have. in q short time. the en-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18

TINE WASHINGTON TINES publishes TODAY the first
nstallnsent of Of tho most human narratives
ever uritten. 1t Is the personal experiences Of Nue.
Fernando Secret sUho intimate friend of Lundr
the French Bluebeard.
Mile. SECRET escaped from Landrs clutches almost By
miracle. and in this narrative she gives graphic
picture of the fascinating hypnotic personality of the man
whose affairs Nth startled the ,oord.
Nue. SECRET tells of her first meeting .cMh Lapd,u
Uho introduced himself to her under tho false name of
Lucien Outlet, and almost Immediately made Iove her
and proposed marriage. Her mothers suspicious Uere
aroused however, sohen confirmation of "Guets" story
of his could not be obtained As result there
differences of opinion betsoeen Nue. Secret soho
cas very mach in kve Nth Landr1 and her mother
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18
Photo BY International.

to lose q year afterward. After
that he had returned to his parents.
Then came the death Of his father.
which left him alone with his
mother and an old nurse, Marietta,
who had brought him up.
He struggled hard then at his
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18

most impotence. have reached
the stage of counting the hours
you are not near me-"
He told me that he had been
married at twenty-four years of
age to friend Of his childhood,
whom he had had the misfortune
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18


and did not hide from me his convic-
ton that should come.
Slightly vexed by such assurance.
I told him plainly that I had come
with the sole intention of Diminishing
him. But he took me Familiarity by
the arm and pulled me along the
Avenue du Bots. 1 do not know why
l did not resist his action. Always
hoping to find some good excuse for
getting rid Of him, followed him
docilely.
looked in vain for the propitious
moment to deny him all hope Of an
other meeting. was ready to con-
fess to him what was true, namely,
that l was already engaged to a
friend Of my childhood. at this time
q prisoner in Germany. He did not
give me time for this. but making
good use of all the resources Of his
wit, led me toward the Bois du Bou-
logne.
Prompted by the beauty of our
surroundings, he informed m" that
he was not sensible to the cha IS of
Nature, and to convince me of this
he recited some verse by Musset,
who, discovered later, was his IA
vorite author.
Encouraged by tho impression
which. he felt he had produced on
mo, he was bold enough to ask me
details n to my private life.
LANDRU TELLS HER
OF HIS HOME LIFE.
seized the opportunity of telling
him about my sweetheart and max
ing him understand that We must
not meet again. took good care.
under the circumstances, not to re-
veal to him that even before the war
our relations had worn rather thin.
and that the delays Of my child.
hoods friend from time to time in
celebrating our marriage had for a
long time released me somewhat
from my promise.
In q few words the stranger, with
touching modestry. declared that he
would not presume to put himself on
a parallel with . young man, and
quite simply he made some conf
dences regarding his present and
past life. He gave his name as Lu.
Glen Outlet. It 10 in all sincerity
that I must affirm here that it was
only after his arrest. two years later.
that I learnt his real name was Lam
dru..
He told mo he was a tradesnlan
and the owner. Of . motor car and q,
charming. little property in Seine
et-Oise (Gambais), where he was fond
Of going for a rest from time to
time. He informed me further that
he was . native Of Rocroi, where his
parents had run q factory. He was
twenty-seven years old when he lost
his father. whose business, then Ii
an unsatisfactory condition, he had
taken over.
In speaking Of his mother, for
whom he: said he had boundless
affection, his face, became ami
mated, and he succeeded in COM
municatihg to mo . real emotion.
He told his story simply. a. from
one good comrads to another, and
little by little, succumbed 10
the charm Of his words.
After the war had to abandon
temporarily my career as an act
ress to take up . position with
some friends who had a furrier's
business. The following Monday
saw the so-called Outlet, who
was waiting for me at the en-.
trance to the shop. After a few
commonplace remarks. n I was in
a hurry. we separated.
He came back the following day
That night he looked anxious and
pre-occupied. He admitted that he
was not very well. but little b
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18

difficulties Their Mothers Never Experienced
Confront Newlyweds, Now That Husbands
Incomes Have Only Half the Purchasing
Power of Ante=Bellumn Days-Thrown ON Her
Own Resources, a Bride Finds Need for
Studying Household Economics, Says Writer
inn the London Times.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18

and. since 1 left Rocrol my dearest
friends are scattered and lost sight
Of. Besides" he confessed, II am
Of rather primitive disposition and
retioent nature. I prefer to live
apart from man. / have. get to
know society to my COST"
A. he spoke in tho bitter tones
Of . man who has suffered cruel
receptions in life. my mother was
moved to pity and her sympathy
for him grew.
He told US several amusing anec-
dotes and little spicy tittle-tattles
OF gossip. and. not wishing to over.
stay his welcome. but to rest con.
tent with the excellent impression
he felt he had created, he got up
and took his departure most cour-
teously. and promised to come back
again within weeks time.
After he left I asked my mother
what she thought Of him. She re-
piled that Outlet seemed to her
to have the best intentions, and
that all In. on first impressions, he
seemed to be good match for me.
My mother. however. put me On
my guard against tho mistakes of
first impressions, and was Of the
opinion that 1t would b better to
wait. before judging him. until he
had paid his court for q little
longer time. @ q.
A week later Landru returned.
That day mother thought II better
to give him some information re-
garding our family, and an he
showed the most ardent wish to be-
come engaged to me, she announced
ut once that he was a suitable
match.
BLUEBEARD KISSES
MOTHER OF "FIANCEE.-
Then Landru rose up, kissed nv
mother, and asked her permission
to give me tho engagement ring.
At the same time. from a pretty
little case bearing tho name of De-
touche, he took out a lovely ring,
set with diamonds, and gently taking
my hand, placed the ring on my
finger.
We spoke of the date of the mar.
riage. He spoke Of his anxiety to
have the ceremony in the near
future and proposed Easter week
declaring with much truth that INV
brothers, then in the army, would
be able to be present then.
"Will you have your witnesses,"
1 asked him.
He thought for q moment and 70
piled that the major of Rocroi, who
was an intimate friend of his. would
be pleased to do him that servioa
He added that he would bear tho en-
penses Of the ceremony himself, and
that my mother need not worry on
that point.
Believe mo-" no said. what I
am doing Is for tho best, and 1 Do
not want anything to mar tho hap
piness Of this marriage, and hope
that this day, for my young
fiancee, will be the dawn Of ever.
lasting happiness"
The following Wednesday we were
all seated with him around the
family table. My grandfather was
with us, and could already see
from his smiling face how much he
appreciated Outlets impulsive con.
versation, and how sensible he was
to the many attentions his neighbos
at table lavished on him.
That evening Outlet was aston.
ishingly full of animation and
roguery. without ever departing
from that good taste which my
presence demanded, he dubbed over
with jokes and sallies, did a little
conjuring, interspersing his pattel
with the most amusing puns.
The next installment Of THU
fascinating narrative Of how Mile
SECRET escaped the Biuebcardl
murder villa win be published b
next Sundays Times.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18

Arrived ut our destination. we had
only gone few PAGES when q man
appeared before US. bowed respect
fully, and, addressing himself to me.
asked in q voice whose charm and
sweetness surprised me II we would
allow him to accompany us for
few minutes. 1t was the stranger
Of the tram. We smilingly declined
this invitation and walked quickly
away.
But our follower would not ad-
nit himself beaten. Not In the least
discouraged. he continued. arguing
not without aplomb that in Paris
young girls go out too often alone.
and that they lay themselves open
to all sorts Of undesirable en-
counters.
We burst out laughing at these
remarks, and, a. laughter has .
disarming influence. our follower
Joined in mechanically.
Feeling almost certain that We
would soon get rid of HIM, We az
changed some commonplace impress
sions. He talked volubly in playful
vein. and he seemed thoroughly at
homo with every subject which We
broached.
BY this time We had arrived at the
shop, and determined to take leave
Of our gallant escort, We bowed TO
him. and reiterated . few steps. He
then asked for permission to see
me again, a request which I firmly
refused. He insisted afresh. declar'
inr that a conversation 10 Of no con-
ssouence and could not in the least
way compromise me, since there
was such q disparity IN our age.
After my categorical refusal no
tried pity az q last resource. ..
1T am alone in the world" he said
to me, with a somewhat theatrical
gesture, land q friendly affection
would be such q boon to me. win
not leave you until you have prom
ised to meet me tomorrow morning
1t 10 o'clock in Place dc lEtoile, at
the corner Of waSram avenue"
Merely to get rid Of this obstinate
person, acquiesosd with . look. do
tsrmined all tho same not to fulfill
the appointment. He bowed. clasped
my hand effusively, and disap-
peaSsd in the crowd.
THE STRANGER WAS
THERE BEFORE.
Ny. purchases completed. was
going to return homo. when. on stop
ping to buy an evening paper, 1
seemed to see, some yards behind
me. q man slip quickly into q door
way. His silhouette. reminded mo
strangely of our interlocutor Of the
afternoon.
without worrying moro about the
incident, 1 went home and dined
rayly with thetfarnily, but. once in
bed, recaprrulated, AZ Ia my habit.
the different incidents Of the day.
Then the vision OF the stranger came
to trouble me. t.
This idea obsessed mo. I saw
sncs again, a. In = dream, the domi.
mating case of that unknown man
HIS voice sounded again In my car,
and II was only when thoroughly Oh
hausted that fell asleep in the
morning.
Toward 8 o'clock I woke up. The
insidious thoughts Of the night be
fore continued to obsess mo. I felt
as II q mysterious power possessed
me.
I decided, however, to 60 to Place
de rEtoilA with the secret hope that
the man with the black beard would
not be there.
Arriving At the appointed place b,
car. / cast around a furtive glance
The man was there. and, having
+, caught sight Of me. was already
smiling. 1t was impossible to draw
back Anow. He szDrssssd rsat Joy
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18

little his conversation became ami
mated.
My dear little friend" he said,
you simply couldn't believe how
glad I am to be with you. This is
the only happy moment In my day,
the moment / await with the ut
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18
MOTHERS INTUITION
ALL THAT SAVED HER
FROM DEATH NUPTIAL

Convicted Slayer Who EnSnared Paris Women
Only to Destroy Every Vestige Of Their Bodies
Waited Until the Forest Quiet Set the Stage for
His Declaration Of Undying Love- Hcre In the
Country, Far Away From Men, / Must Tell You
OF My Love-" Said Horrible Charmcr.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18

Il
anniversary of my birthday. that no
began to urge this particular
question more strongly.
On that occasion he asked per-
mission to give me . present
had scarcely time to reply b.
fore he pulled small case from
his pocket. This no opened caro-
fully, and saw It contained . very
pretty watch and . st. Andrews
cross. When told him that he had
no right to offer me such . present.
he replied without hesitation:
These Jewels were left me By my
mother. and should b sxtrsmely
grateful II you would accept them.
for. with my mother. you are tbs
person in the world have loved
most"
Al he had told me several times
that. in his memory. his mother was
. sort of IDOL. found 1t very diffi-
cult to refuse. He thought this q
propitious moment to hint:
Besides. At home. have many
moro jewels which belonged to my
mother. and which shall be yours
on the happy day you become my
wife,"
Then he began q most passionate
LANDAU PICTURED
HER PLEASANT HOME.
speech. He pictured to me the at
fractions Of a very comfortable posi-
ton. giving mo to believe that he
would pay me the most assiduous
and fervent attention, and became 20
persuasive that my first resolve was
shaken. It was then that I lot
him understand that I was not
very good match for him, and that
was not in . position to bring .
dowry to my husband.
He began to smile, and replied:
my dear little friend, It in you
alone that I want. and nothing else.
I have money enough for US both,
and have sufficient energy to pro-
vide myself for our immediate needs =
without any necessity for you to
work."
He then spoke to me Of numerous
great schemes which were to give
impetus to his business and which
would benefit him considerably H.
nancially. But all that was vague.
indefinite. and he did not enter into
details. Nevertheless. I must con-
fess willingly let my imagination
play with the idea of marriage.
was the victim of the apprehen-
sions of a time when the war gave
young girls small hopes for the fu-
tura. did not discourage him
then, but I asked for q few days
time to enable me to see my first
fiance's father, to whom wished to
announce the breaking off Of my en-
gagement with his son. He agreed,
and said that that would not prevent
him coming to nay home to ask my
mothers official permission. and 1t
was then that we decided that this
visit should take place In the begin
ming Of January.
About 2 o'clock in the afternoon OF
January 4, 1918, the pseudo Outlet
called at our house. Some minutes
before, the messenger of one Of the
big Partisan florists had handed In
a magnificent basket of white roses.
At once he put us all at ease by
his good humor and the cheerful
turn he gave his most unimportant
remark. He confirmed to my
mother the details he had already
given me of his family. and esti-
mated having something like So.
900 francs in ready money and ma
terial.
I'm this total" he said, IT am
not including what the state will
hand over to mo, I hope, some day,
to indemnify me for the loss have
sustained in Rocroi."
My mother then questioned him on
his Paris connections.
II scarcely know anyone there"
he replied. II live entirely alone.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18
L.ANDRU'S VOICE LIKE
MUSIC THAT WEAVES
SPELL OF ECSTASY

Monster introduced himself on Trau-car- Gent-
" But Firmly He Spoke In Sflvery Tones Of
Ills Lonesomeness- Mile. SECRET Rebuffcd
Him, But HE Named an Appointment and That
Night Ills Voice Rang In Her Ears and His
Magnetic Gaze Haunted Her Dreams as She
Was IrreSistibly Drawn to Him.
BY NILE FERNANDO SECRET.
r NET Landru first in the month of May, 1917. Hav-
ing obtained few days. holiday, and having lady
friend guest decided to go out with her to do
shopping
When seated in the tram opposite
gentleman of about forty of correctly and
deliberately alfred He looking fxedy at while
he stroked his flowing black beard with impressive
gesture. had felt such searching gaze
of such audacious fxity The eyes, sparkling with vi
vacity beneath pair of shaggy eyebrows, held such
magnetic power that felt myself get red with confusion
and lowered my eyelids
When raised them again the stranger having
doubt OWNED my distress, smiled malciously.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-06-25

than the public suspects, will permit him to CO.
How anybody could ever imagine him qualified
for any public office is hard to conceive. His task
is to rave and buster and pretend; to foam at
the mouth and wallow in the plaudits of the gal
lery. If he had been slipped in upon the Harding
administration by an enemy we could feel genuine
regret, but as he is the choice of the president,
can only hope that those most affected by his
propinquity will get the full mead of enjoyment
from it.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-06-25
ANNEXING DAWES

When a man like Sims is inherited by an ad-
mnistralion. or one like Harvey forced on it by
the pressure of circumstances, the charitable can
find sympathetic excuses. It's too bad, but it
could not be helped, is the true verdict But
when an administration reaches out into space,
with its eyes wide open, and deliberately attaches
to it a man Of the type of General c. p. Dawes,
it earns all the punishment that his presence brings
Dawes is useful only as an exhibit 10 accompany
the definition Of the word nuisance He is an af-
Fiction, a punishment, ribulaon. Already he
has begun TO blister the party that happens to be
in power. He is grumblng al congress. That
body doesn't suit him little bit Later W. may
expect, he will pronounce prolanc sentence on
the senate, cuss out the executive departments
generally, and pay lurid respects 10 the supreme
court That is, he will go as far in that direction
as his sense Of prudence probably better developed
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-06-25
DIVIDING THE STATE

1t might be that enough sentiment could be
worked up to cut the peninsula from the rest of
Florida and set up in business for ITSELF but
what real benefit would result?
There is little real rivalry between The northern
and southern counties of Florida. AT this time,
the southern counties are the more progressive.
They have developed further, have better high
ways and are getting more out OF their Industries.
Besides, with the vast areas of muck lands in the
Everglades just coming into use, the future Of this
part of the state seems more promising. But does
this furnish any reason why it should separate from
the other end of Florida?
The Telegram can't see it. If the northern
counties, looking ahead and foreseeing the dom-
nance of the southern countless wanted to set up an
independent establishment, The thing would at
least be understandable; but with the conditions
apparently all set for giving south Florida complete
control over the states government, as we'll as its
business and economic system, including road build
ing it would be- it strikes this paper, most short
sighted policy indeed to cut off from the state at
this time
Florida is big siate and enc Of its assets is its
size, particularly the length of its coast line. 1t
has hardly progressed sufficiently yet 10 enable
one to foresec the lines upon which It's future will
be established Ten million people could nhab
Florida in comfort, and make their living here from
the soil. And as ii is the only part of the United
States that has really good all The year round
climatc-a distinction which The whole state pos
sesses--thcre is no reason to doubt that its popu-
lation will some day attain this figure
Its villages will be cities. Perhaps some of It's
most important points will be at locations where
at this limo, there arc net even hamles Nobody
can tell with certainty what will be its dominant
industries Neither can we be perfectly sure even
in the face of present development, what sections
will contain the most population Taken together
it is the most wonderful body of land in the world
and it would look ike sacrilege to split ii open.
Until stronger reasons are offered than have yet
appeared. the Telegram stands for Florida, one
and inseparable, now and forever.