New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-05
THE PRINCESS BARNABAS.

not very easy for the Princess's many admirers tn
understand why she should perturb her nnd with
such problem at all. but perturb IL she dld with
that very problem. whether wisely or unwisely.
The Princess BarDabas was very remarkable
young woman. who had proved the puzzle, the
PRIDE and the passion OF London society fOr three
whole sensational seasons. She was not yet four
and twenty. She bore the title of great Russian
prince who had married her Just before she came OF
age, at time when he himself was old enough 10
be her grandfather, and VINO had CONSIDERABLY
died within two years Of the ceremony leaving
her the absolute mistress of bis fortune and his
territories she had been during life the absolute
mistress OF his heart for the short time IN which
he swayed 1t. She was said to he iabulously
wealthy. Her Jewels were the wonder OF the
world and she delighted in wearing them IN season
and ont OF season. with a semi barbarlc enIoyment
OF their glitter and splendor which was. ike every
thing else about he:, partly Oriental and partly
childish Some time after Der husands death she
had to Paris and got tired OF t, and then she
crossed the Channel and conquered London;
During resplendcnt session little else was talked
about but the Princess Barnabas. Society Journals
raved agout her delicate beauty. which seemed to
belong TO the canvases Of the last century. Wmch
ought to have been innoltazed ON PATE kadic, ana
hymned in madrigals. Alun adored her. women
cnvied her marvellous dress and her matchless
Jewels Tho diving ashes of a seasons scandal Haired
M into marvellous activity around her pretty per,
sOnalIty. She WIS enormously the tDlhg'
Enormously the thing" she remained during
second season, atter an interval OF aosOlute dsap
pearance into the doninIOns or the Gar. EnOf
mpusiy the thing" she still appeared to BE- now IN
her third season in spite of the rival attractions or
an American actress who had not married an Eng
fish duke and an American glr with millions VINO
had married the bluest blood and the oldest name
IN Europe IL would have been absurd for any one
to contest the point that the Princess Barnabas was
the very most interesting figure OF that phantasmal
dance OF shadows which is called London society.
Nevertheless the Princess BarnaDas was weary,
positively bored. II she had been less of success,
life might not have appeared 50 desolate mere
would have been piquancy IN tile pOssoiity OF
rivalry which would have lent new interest TO the
tasteess feast Az il was. however London life ~
the height of its maddest activity appeared to her
drear and gray as those vast stretches OIL steppes
which lay like great sea around one 81 tue nus
sian castles OF the late Prince Barnabas III was
during this ut of depression when tic Princess
Barnabas was graciously PLEASED 10 agree WIN the
author of Ecclesastes that life was vanity, that
occurred to her that III all her
she had never yet committed sliciue. enc
inmeiiatcly gave up her mind 10 tue important
problem whether sine should uain this ultimate
human experience at once. or postpone IL H.
definitely
went TO the great ball at the Russian Embassy. As
she nestled among her furs IN the am. uNutlohs
warmth of her carriage, her MIND was running
entirely upon the various forms Of selidcstracton
which had been made famous ny celeOrated persons
vt different stages OF the VOL IS history, ana she
could lind none that sufficiently attractive or
remarkable 10 please her. Good heavens! she
thought TO herself. with little shudder which
the warmth vf her surroundings coui hQt re.
press Is IL impossible to be bGRate even III tlaI
and she gave little groan rs she stepped out or her
carriage anu up the embassy steps: he tnought
was sri on her mind aud tracing the least Sngges-
sSc entered tae great room aud took the hand OF
the anbassldress The thrill of interest Of excite
inent of admiration, which as matter Oh course
attended upon her entrance did not give her any
answering thrill Of qualification. she appeared 20
listen with the most gracious attention ID we con-
pllmeuts of the anihassador. Sle answered. WIN
The dautst little OF infnntile obeIsancc the Od
World colrtcay OF n white-haired Minabf VINO
Womb have been as much ut 10 ne rs she herself IN
n salnn of the Regent of Orlcans. Sho cOndescended
TO entnngle in a network of fascination partlcu
larly obdgrate and impasSiye secretary of state.
She patrun.Zed prince of the DOOd TOY ana was
cycesliugly frank and friendly with the Young
painter Lcpell, who knew exactly now muCh ne,
familiarity meant. but WIS at once unused ahd
delighted By the envy II aroused III Others. leu All
the while the Princess Barnabas Was not deVotIhg
"A angie serious thought to one oi her admirers
Every idea III that vain and io9iish mean M4s
centred upon the one query, Hh"h commit S"''
ne 1t week, and II 80, how .,. A..
IL was while in this frame OF mind, taking 10
twenty pcopls and thinking OF none OF thein. tIa,,
her bright eyes, wandering lightly over the CROWDED
room CHANGED to fall upon young man VINO was
throng, In "A window recess, which WIS at IeasS
comparatively quIcta tall, grave, seit-posseiscI
Young man. sufficiently good.ooklng TO De called
handsome by enthusiastic friend wien tue
Princess Bnrnnbas looked at him. hrs eyes wllich
were bright clever eyes, were hxed on hrr win I u
look of half-humorous contemplation. Inc
moment however their eyes met he turned his head
slightly, aud resumed "A conversation WIN u gray
haired old man with red ribbon ~ iils outtohH1lo
whom she knew To be foreign dip.omatst' mo
Young mans gaze had expressed an interest III ie
Prlncess but il seemed TO be just as interested IN
the pale wrinkled face OF nus CON PP,t,
cess Barnabas seemed pQned "Who Is that Young
man - she asked half-fretfuy OF the secretary Oh
State.
(which young man 7" The Secretary OF State 9
stolld face gazed vaguely into the dcnse crowd OIL
drcss coats and white shoulders, OF orders ana stars
the he Young man in the window talking to the
Tic secretary put up his eye-gass and considered
the voung man in question thOughttully lie was
never known TO hurry in his Judgments or his
al On, Darlfn I.
though Il the Princess BarnaDas VINO was inter-
rogating him. and not member OF inc Opposl,Ioui,
Tben ne answered her. weighing his words with
more than judicial elaboration; lie Is young
fellow named Sinclair. He is going out to the East,
| or something Why do you ask A. p.i,,oss
HIS face interests me- replied the Irlh'e>s.
| should like to know him. BRING nm 70 me- vi
| STAY give me your arm, we will go to nun.
She and dispersed her Itle KNOT Si uaseonSo ESQ
moved slowly toward the window whore Slhcihr
| was still standing. The Secretary touched nm on
| tine arm Mr. Sinclair, the Princess Barnaoas mas
| EXPRESSED desire TO make your acqIiaihtance'
| ALLOW me- Princess to introduce you TO hr' Julian
| Sinclair" ,.,
The young man bowed. He seemed little snr-
prised but not in the least embarrassed. Tue frln-
| cess smiled brightly at him, and her eyes were
| brighter than her smile. Thank you, she sald 10
the Secretary of State with pleasant I.Ile
which was meant to convey, and when d:d convey,
| that she had had enough OF him. he promptly
| disappeared into the crowd with resigned goon.
hum9r, bearing away , %,.n a.' " "'' "'N'
| Princess Barnabas and Julian Sinclair were lets
alone She sat down the couch in the recess . Oh
the window and slightly oT Ion oid 10 la obeyed
silently. Tho recess of the window was deep; For
the moment they were almost entirely Isolated IRON rom
the shifting glittering thrOng that seetnou anu
| dIifted aroInd them. Sinclair kept quite silent,
looking into the face OF the Princess with an ar OF
| half amused inquiry. There we're few seconds OIL
| silence aud then the woman SpoA0' D
wOmanlke, with question:, c,.,.w
| Have you forgotten me, Mr.. sInclalrr avo r
The young man shook his head grayey. NO ,osra
| have not forgotten yon, Princess" Her eyes were
fixed on his face. but he returned her gaze quito
| steadily H., ,ro mat ~ cha
| "Yet it must be two years since we met Sh'
| rep,ed: and two years Is q long time" LA
a. Yes. two years is very long tme." he sald hair
| sadly half scornfully. .h;s yor,,