The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-08-21
CHAPTER vi
In Which There Is Stormy
Supper Party at the Ritz

1t was just about the time that
Ginger Martins wife became, all I'M
consciously, a widow that the sitting
room bell of certain private suite
in the Ritz was rung. The occu-
pants of the room were two in num-
ber-a man and woman-and they
had arrived only that morning from
the Continent. The man. whose sig,
nature in the register announced him
moor-looked a splendid specimen of
the right sort of clergyman. Tall,
broad-shouldered, with pair of
shrewd, kindly eyes and great mass
Of snow-white hair, he was the type
of man who attracted attention where
ever he went. and in whatever society
he found himself. A faint twang in
his speech betrayed his nationality,
and, indeed, he made mo secret of it.
He was an American, born and bred,
who had been seeing first hand for
himself some of the dreadful horrors
of the famine which was ravaging
Central Europe.
And with him had gone his daugh-
ter Janet-that faithful, constant
companion of his, who since her moth
er's death had never left him. She
was good-looking girl. too-though
perhaps unkinds people might have
said girlhood's happy days had reeed-
ed somewhat into the past. Thirty,
perhaps-even thirty-five-though her
father always alluded to her as sNfy
little girl"
There was something very sweet and
touching about their relationship; his
pride in her and her simple. loving
alteration for. dad. Undoubtedly a
charming couple, had been the verdict
of their chance acquaintance = so
simple, so fresh, so unassuming in
these days of complexity and double
dealing.
After dinner, because his little Janet
was tired, the Reverend Theodosius
and his daughter remained in their
suite.
And for two hours until he got up
and rang the bell. the Reverend Theo-
dosius was engrossed in work; while
his little Janet, lying on the sofa, dis
played considerably more leg than one
would have expected wears daugh-
ter even to possess. And occasional
gurgles of laughter seemed to prove
that Guy de Maupassant appeals to
more catholic audience than he
would have suspected.
She was knitting decorously when
the waiter came in, and her father
ordered a little supper to be sent up.
"Some chicken, please. and little
foie gras. / am expecting friend
very soon-so lay for three. Some
champagne-yes. Perrier Jouet '04
will do. I'm afraid don't know much
about wine. And little Vichy water
for my daughter"
The waiter withdrew.
what time do you expect Zadowa?"
Janet asked.
HE should have been here by now.
don't know why he's late"
did you see him this afternoon"
mo. / was down at the office, but
only for short WHILE"
The sound of voices outside the door
caused Janet to resume her knitting.
and the next moment Count Zadowa
was announced. For an appreciable
time after the walter had withdrawn
he stood staring at them: then a
smile crossed his face.
Magnificent" he murmured. "Su-
perb. Madame, felicitate you. Well
though know your powers, this time
you have excelled yourself. 1 have
the most wonderful news for you"
Reverend Theodosius bit the end
off cigar and stared at his visitor
with eyes from which every trace of
kindness had vanished.
Its about time you did have some
good news. Zadowa." he snapped.
Anything more id disgraceful than
the way you've let this so-called
Black Gang do you in. I've never
heard Of"