West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-05-15

Il
been as much at homo IA she herself in
n salon of the Regent OF Orleans. She
condescended TO cntanglo in network
OF fascination particularly obdurato
and impressive Secretary of State. She
patronized Prince of the blood royal
and was exceedingly frank and friend
ily with tho young painter Lcpell, who
knew exactly how much her familiarity
meant, but was at once amused and do
lighted by the envy il aroused in Others.
1et all the while the Princess BarDabas
was not devoting single serious
thought 10 one of her admirers Every
idea in that vain and foolish head was
conferred upon the one query: "Shal /
commit suicide next week, and il SO,
howP"
1t was while in this frame Of mind,
talking to twenty people and thinking
OF none of them, that her bright eyes,
wandering lightly over the crowded
room, CHANGED to fall upon young
man who was standing. somewhat re-
moved from the press of the thrOng. in
n window recess, which was mt least
comparatively quiet-a tall. grave, self
possessed young man, sufficiently good
looking 10 bo called handsome by an
enthusiastic friend. When the Princess
Barnabas looked at him, his eyes, which
were bright clever eyes, were fixed on
her with look of halfhumorous con
temptation. The moment, however,
their eyes met he turned his head
slightly, and resumed conversation
with gray-haired old man with a red
ribbon at his buttonhole whom she knew
to be foreign diplomatist Tho young
mans gaze had expressed an interest i'm
the Princess, but it seemed to be Just as
Interested in the pale wrinkled face of
his companion. The Princess Barnabas
seemed piqued. "Who Is that young
manP' she asked, half-fretfully, of tn o
Secretary of State.
(Which young manP' The Secre-
tary of States stolid face gszed vaguely
into the dense crowd of dress coats and
white shoulders, of orders and stars and
diamonds.
"The young man in the window talk
ing TO the gray-haired man"
The Secretary put up his eye-glass
and considered the young man in cues
ton thoughtfully. He was never known
to hurry in his judgments or his replies
in Parliament, and he did not hurry
now. though it was the Princess
Barnabas who was interrogating him.
and not member of the Opposition.
Then he answered her, weighing his
words with more than judicial delibera-
ton; He is young fellow named
Sinclair He is going out to the East,
or something. Why do you askP"
His face interests me-" replied the
Princess. 81 should like to know him
Bring him to me; or stay, give me your
arm, we will 20 to him"
She rose and dispersed her little knot
OF disconsolate courtiers. Taking the
Secretary's arm, she moved slowly
toward the window where Sinclair was
still standing. The Secretary touched
him on the arm. "Mr. Sinclair, the
Princess Barnabas has expressed de-
sire to make your acquaintance. Allow
me, Princess, to introduce you to Mr.,
Julian Sinclair"
1.-The young man bowed. He seemed
n little surprised, but not in the least
embarrassed. The Princess smiled
brightly at him, and her eyes were
brighter than her smile. THANK
you" she said to the Secretary of State
with pleasant little smile, which was
meant to convey, and which did con-
vey, that she had had enough of him.
lie promptly disappeared in the crowd
with resigned good humor, bearing
away with him in his wake the elderly
red-rbboned diplomatist.
Princess Barnabas and Julian Sinclair
were left alone. She sat down on the
couch in the recess of the window, and
slightly motioncd to him with her hand
to take his place by her side. He obeyed
silently. The recess of the window was
deep. For the moment they were al
most entirely isolated from the shifting.
| glittering throng that seethed and drift
ed around them. Sinclair kept quite
silent, looking into the face of the Prin-
cess with an. air of half-amused inquiry.
There were few seconds of silence,
and then the woman spoke, beginning.
womanlike, with a questions
" Have you forgotten me, Mr.. Sin
The young man shook his head grave
Iy. mo, l have not forgotten YOU.
| Princess Her eyes were fixed on his
face, but he returned her look quite
steadily
yet it must be two years since we
met, y she replied; "and two years is a
long time"
eyes, two years is n very long time, ~
he said, half sadly. half scornfully.
He was dec dedly not communicative.
this young man, for even the pleasure
OF meeting n friend, unseen Tor two
years, did not appear to arouse in him
any desire for conversation.
There was another little pause.
Neither seemed embarrasse d. and vet
the interval was long enough TO be en-
barassing. Then she spoke again.
why did you leave ST. PetersburpP
Where have you been all this timer"
He answered the second part OF her
question. II have been in Constantine
pie most Of the time. / only returned
10 London few days ago, and / am
going away Immediately to the Fast
again, to Persia this time.
"FOr how long?n
! There was faint tone Of WEAKNESS
in his reply, though he sfrove TO make
his voice purposely steady "Ohl for
ever ! suppose; or, at least, until / am
an old man, and Of no further use.
Then perhaps ! may como back on a
pension, and write dreary letters 10 the
Times about the errors Of my sue.
cessors' And he laughed TO prevent
himself from signing.
"You have not answered all my oues-
ton. said the Princess. "Whv did YOU
leave ST. Petersburg so suddenly? We
were such very good friends. aud as
I sure YOU j quite missed Won 80