Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-23


AZ moment I parked my car under a
cluster of eucalyptus and palm trees
and advanced to the picturesque en-
trance of the best restaurant upon the
Riviera. Louis met me as usual upon the thresh-
old, it is true, but what Louisi Up till month
before, when I had last seen him, he was, as he
had always been, the predominant spirit Of the
place, suave, bland with the smile and voice of
an ambassador. To hear him suggesting q
luncheon was poem, dinner an epic And
howl shook hands with him. as was my custom
after somewhat prolonged absence, and, all
though his eyes seemed to be begging me to ig-
more his changed appearance, felt compelled
to refer to it.
why what's the matter Louis?' asked
Influenza, sir" he replied-"a nasty bout Of
it, You wish your usual table, sir of course
after the cocktail"
He departed for moment returning with a
menu could scarcely remove my eyes from
him. His complexion was gray; he had lost
flesh. There was q stoop about his neck, q
haunted look in his eyes. His clothes were as
faultless as ever, but they fitted him no longer.
He was like the ghost of himself.
1.-THE whitefiSh are good, sir" he suggested,
"or there is small lobster. And / have some
breast of lamb was keeping specially-too
small for more than one person-some early
strawberries and red wine, and cheese from
our own dairy"
'sThat sounds all right Louis" I assented,
trying not to look at him too curiously
"The Montrachet 1914, of course, sir" he
concluded. will it be the lobster or the white
fsh?"
1.-The lobster" decided. 81 will be there, say,
in 10 minutes"
Everything will be ready, sir, Louis promised
making his escape.
turned to the bar man.
what has happened to LOUISE"
1--WE are all wondering that sir" the man
replied. He had bout of Influenza but moth
Md III fIyA
that Looks as though he were being worried
to death"
but what worry can he have?" persisted.
HE must make large income, he's single
man, and he doesn't even gamble, SO far as i
know why, last time saw him, he was think
ing of buying a new limousine"
There's other things besides money, sur,
the man observed enigmatically 1T icn't my
business, anyway, and we're all fond OF Louis,
but there, you see what he is, and you reInena-
Der what he used to be. I wish you would get
him to talk to you."
T PRESENTLY made my way to my table. The
Madrid, notwithstanding its great reputa-
ton, is not large restaurant. There were
barely score of people in the room. table
exactly opposite to mine was evidently prepared
for an expected arrival. A great bowl Of pink
roses had replaced the ordinary restaurant
flowers; caviare, with its ct ceteras, was already
upon the table, and small gold-foiled bottle
stood in an ice pail. inquired Of the waiter
who served me-Louis seemed to be keeping q
little in the background-as to the whereabouts
of the proprietor.
Monsieur Is in Paris" he conf1ded Louis
Is left in sole charge. Monsieur is negotiating
for the purchase OF restaurant in the Champs
Eysees.
began my luncheon. Presently the arrival
of another guest attracted my attention, and
looked up. She made her way to the table
already prepared, ushered in that direction by
Louis-a very TALL fair woman, large almost to
ungainlneSs, florid of complexion, deliberately
dressed, making those efforts that always pos
sess a leaven of the pitiful to retain the fresh
ness and air Of youth. She leaned upon a stick,
and q colorless-l looking maid who followed her
carried small Pekingese. Louis placed a
chair for the dog as Madame somewhat pom
derously seated herself. She thanked him
with gracious SMILE motioned him to lean
down, and began whispered conversation
Louis hdgeted little, bowed and hurried on
to obey the summons of an imaginary client
Madame commenced her meal.
1t is not my custom to watch the gastronomic
efforts of my neighbors at a restaurant. but ]
must frankly confess that watched the prog
ress of Madame's meal with objectionable
curiosity. She ate at least three times as
much caviare as I found myself able to con-
sumo She followed that with a dozen oysters
after which she had three lamb outlets, peas,