John Sichel, United States consul at
M&asdorf, looked up from his desk, as
his secretary entered, with a patient
smile that a consul acquires after hav
ing served several months In a foreign
dty. Especially if it be a seaport city
does a consul need patience, for he Is
daily beset by distressed American
sailors, ladies with social bees, dis
satisfied politicians touring the coun
try and demanding Justice upon those
who have affronted them, under threat
of making a complaint to Washington,
and—but every one who has ever ex
perienced the joys of being a consul
knows ail about it.
"A lady to see you, Mr. Sichel,” said i
the secretary. "She Is very much agi- I
tated."
“Is she a—a young lady?” queried
the consul.
"Young, sir, and very beautiful.”
I "Well, let her come in,” sighed Mr.
8iehel.
As Doris Gray entered his ofilce
•ven Mr. Sichel's jaded soul was stim
ulated into admiration. She was young
—perhaps twenty-four or five; beauti
ful, pathetic and agitated. Mr. Sichel
could not forbear a spasm of regret
when lie saw the word Mrs. upon her
card.
“Bo seated, madam. What can 1 do
for you?" he asked.
| "I've lost my husband,” exclaimed
Doris, bursting into uncontrollable
sobs.
