Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 45: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

BORROWED PLUMES. you—may I offer you a glass of wine? They have a remarkable champagne here. Rheims, 1897. You see, you won’t be ac- cepting anything from a stranger; from me. For everything is charged to the count. May I ring for the sommelier?” She nodded, her eyes shining. “T am sure it will be quite-proper to drink a glass of Edouard’s wine,” she ad- mitted. ‘ And I am a bit seedy.” She drew from a platinum and sharkskin vanity case a little flat box, and from it a gold-tipped cigarette bearing a coronet. George hastened to supply a lighted match. So that, when well within the stipulated hour a dejected knock announced the ar- rival of the captured Edouard, he was rather surprised to behold a scene that might be described as mildly convivial. It was Sangrado who performed the nec- essary introductions, after Edouard had ceremoniously but without enthusiasm kissed his wife’s hand; and then, Sauer- braten having retired, the four sat down in conference. It was a short conference, as far as George was concerned; but not too short to suit him. He looked with some interest at the man with whom he had exchanged names, and beheld one slenderer than him- self, but of about his age and coloring. Unlike George, who was the replica of health and _ vitality, Count Vaudreuil seemed to be suffering from insufficient sleep, and his eyes had a swollen appear- ance. He gave the impression of a weakly amiable character. It was the little countess who took charge of the proceedings from the outset, and acted as self-appointed chairwoman. “ You needn’t explain, Edouard,” she be- gan as the count opened his lips, in reality to make some perfunctory inquiries as to her health and welfare. ‘‘ M. Strong has told me all that is necessary at this time; that for reasons considered good by M. San- grado, he assumed your name and title, while you buried yourself in the Latin Quarter as George Strong. I assume that you do not dispute him?” ‘“What’s the use?” The count sighed. “The cat seems to be out of the bag, but—”’ George interrupted nervously. 671 “Madame la comtesse did not quite un- derstand me! I did say that I was mas- querading as Count Vaudreuil, but I did not mention the name that he himself was using it ae The countess lifted a slim hand to im- pose silence. “Tt really doesn’t matter, since Edouard himself has told us,” she said sweetly, a malicious gleam in her frosty blue eyes. “The real task before us is to terminate this irregular arrangement as soon as pos- sible. I have engaged a private car at the Gare du Nord at six o’clock sharp. These apartments can be given up immediately, as well as the bohemian, quarters on the rive gauche. Sauerbraten will attend to the lug- gage, of course. M. Sangrado will imme- diately settle the reckoning. Perhaps M. Strong will honor us with his presence at luncheon?” The count spoke up agitatedly. “But, my dear, itis most inconvenient to get away at such very short notice! In fact, I have a—a quite important engage- ment for this very evening. To-morrow, as early as you like—” “To-day. At six o’clock,” reiterated the countess. ‘‘ The arrangements are made. No doubt M. Strong will gladly undertake to entertain the party you have arranged for this evening, under his true name!”’ “But it isn’t a party at all! Quite a particular affair,” protested the count.” “Cabinet particulier, no doubt,” dryly commented his wife. ‘A little party of two. Well, the capable Sangrado will pen a most correct note of apology. Mean- while, time flies.” It was evident to the somewhat bewil- dered George that whatever may be the American conception of the status of Euro- pean women, in this particular family the lady was the tiger. Her manner admitted of no compromises, and she brushed: objec- . tions aside as if they were not there. ‘“‘T may as well say,” the count gloomily remarked, ‘“‘ that I was obliged to take a three months’ lease of the studio. And to pay for it in advance. Also, that I bought the furnishings for it from the second-hand shops in the Quarter. Sangrado said it was more profitable to do this and then have an CORNICE DOO KS5EO