River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-02-09
CHAPTER XIV.

"ANA Astt-.sa atlll tue U4u 2idEAAlS Adu
concluded that nothing further could be
done toward rescuing the Princess, they
held a consultation with 1ouyait The re-
suit of this was the unanimous decision that
not only was it better, but also absolutely
necessary, that the news Of the affair should
be kspt from the public-especially from
the newspapers
To Lydia and the Marquis this seemed i'm
possible. But Louvait assured them that il
they would place the matter entirely in his
hands he would guarantee that the story
would soon die natural death.
With his usual cleverness and unscrupu-
lousness in distorting the truth, he imme-
dlately circulated a report which, on the
face Of II, appeared so plausible and proba-
bic, so satisfactory an explanation of the
extraordinary disappearance of the Prin-
cess, that all who had heard about it at once
accepted it as truth, laughed at themselves
for their unnecessary interest and horror,
and under the sGppOsition that the Princess
was with her family at Lake Maggio-e,
dropped their talk and soon forgot entirely
about the supposed abduction.
Natalie's family, with rare good sense,
acting under the advice Of the detective
and Of Lydia, kept the secret so well that
no one outside Of the palace knew any
And soon TO those who had heard of it, at
all, the abduction of the Princess Natalie
RadZiwill was thing OF the past.
This was just what Jean LOuvait wanted.
Not single newspaper even referred 70
the supposed false report which died shortly
after its birth. Louvait rejoiced.
The sound advice of the Frenchman and Of
Lady Lydia, the receipt Of the bulletins, whose
place Of mailing il was impossible 10 even
guess at bulletins that bore the most COM
forting news. told in most chatty and con-
lidential style, which was simply impudent
together with dainty note from Natalie
herself-all these united to produce wait
ing-policy.
Natalie's nissive was short.
Il am allowed" she wrote. ito say that l
am well and treated quite like a Princess;
although Why ! am prisoner is more than
can tell"
lydia. after recovering from the excite
ment naturally occasioned by her friends
disappearance, suddenly became very alb
sent-minded and d.strdit. very unwel-
come suspicion had flashed across her mind
and deeply burned itself thereon. She held
with Louvait another consultation so skill
fully managed as not 10 awaken the clever
detectives suspicious. The result of this
interview was the unwilling. yet almost in
cvItable formation Of a theory upon her
part theory that her whole heart was set
upon rejecting, if possible. Still she was
forced to recognize il as SO probable as well
as plausible that peace Of mind could never
be hers until It were disproved.
Accordingly, one day she went TO her
chaperon and constant companion, wild
owed relative, and abruptly proposed trip
10 America
The Countess stared in surprise.
''Aiy dear, what can you be thinking of
Nobody but the Princess Louise, and the
wives Of such officials as are obliged to go
to Canada, ever set foot in that benighted
land"
well, my dear aunt, / am.sOrry to dis
agree with you, but / am going
there, and as you surely can't let me
60 alone. you, too, are going" said this
spoiled young woman.
The Countess looked aghast and groaned
feebly. She knew well the manifold whims
Of her niece and the utter futility Of oppOs-
ing them. That young woman having taken
into her head the extraordinary notion of
going 10 America, there was really nothing
to do butgo.
Her aunt inquired the time of departure,
surprising that. as a matter of course, it
was so distant that there might be remote
possibility Of her niece altering her mind
meanwhile.
III clsrs tqHts," answered Lydia, in
quiet, decisive tone, Il have engaged pas
sage for our party ourselves, maids and
couriers - in the 'Servia' That vessel
sails from Liverpool day after tomorrow
at three p. IN. We must leave here early
tomorrow for Craigie Castle, and the next
morning for Liverpool"
The Countess sat down on the nearest
couch and gazed at her niece as If she con-
sidered the latter bereft of her senses.
But that imperiOus, yet shrewd maneuver-
er sailed magnificently out of the room,
and soon her clear, firm voice was heard
issuing orders as to the disposal Of her be-
lOngings.
There was no installing il all.
The Countess was in straitened circum-
stances, and depended solely on Lydia's
warm heart for the necessaries of life,
and. moreover, she simply adored the girl.
After quiet and comforting cry, all by
herself, she dried her eyes and resolved to
put the best face she could on the matter.
In experimenting the packing of their