The morning call., 1890-07-13

and his eye fell on the French officer; who bowed
TO him Politely. The FrenchmaU followed Jana
With his eyes.
What a splendid figure f." he said to his
friend.
What Is her pane? h
"The Countess Jana Lanin."
The French officer started IN surprise
SIS she perhaps The wife OF Count Vladimir
LanlnY"
That is most fortunate meeting 1 have
looked for her now three years and always III
vain % You do not object in presenting ME TO The
with pleasure. Here he is coming toward
u.s."
alter having been duly introduced, g 1T IS
now three years that letter was handed
10 me for you. and under such very peculiar
circumstances that | have ever since been
most anxious to make your acquaintance
Ii was in Shanghai, and the Taepings were oe,
sicgiDg the city The French Government mad
sent HE, III special mission. 10 China. 1he siege
was not yey oppressive, and every now ana
Then there was Truce. During these
times we were at liberty TO walk
about In The vicinity of the fortress
in our European uniforms. One day l was OBJ
serving The camp of the Taepings from dis
lance when three men came Out OF lt toward me
aud waved white flag. They did not seem to
narbOr any hostile Intentions and walled for
Them. They were Europeans, but wore Chinese
uniforms. Their light hair and their fea ures in
duced me 10 think they were countrymen OIL
yours. one, who seemed 10 be the leader, made
a regularly strong Impression upon me Gu ac-
count OF his lofty stature, and because OF his
brilliant eyes"
THAT was Mnef!" exclaimed Vladimir.
"Pray give me thai letter Hearty thanks! He
is one OF my oldest friends, OF whom / often
think"
Il do not know his name. He said to me :
You are a trenchman and Will probably soon
return 10 Eur0pe-l hope shall! There Is peace
all oVel Europe now, aud you may by good luck
at some time or other meet dear friend OF niue,
Russian, who was going TO France, a Count
Vladimir lanin. You Will easily recognize him
aud his wife. If you should ever meet them; lie
is man OF large fortune aud great influence in
tile highest circles, and she Is an extraordinary
beauty. Please hand them this letter.
al first did not ike 10 take The letter. VINO
knew whether / should ever meet you III TINS
life? doubt not you will meet him some lime
or other; be SO kiud as 10 take the letter. was
going 10 ask for more details, but l had no
sooner taken The letter than lie WAS summoned
10 return 10 camp. And here, Count, Is this iel-
Ter which have carried about with Inc nearly
| four years now"
Vladimir was rejoiced TO receive the letter.
Ny best thanks. Pardon me II l do not al
once satisfy your wetounded curiosity; must
| 70 aside 10 read my fIiend'S letter al ease.
| hope you will not decline my invitation TO dine
with me Tomorrow, and then l shall take pleas
| ure 10 ma you acquainted with tile history OF
| this remarkable man."
accept your invitation with pleasure"
And you" said Lauin TO the Russian officer
| Will OF course accompany your friend"
y With pleasure, Count"
Then = Till tomorrow, gentlemen" said
| Vladimir, leaving them. He sat down on a bench
! III the garden and read as follows:
Z" AL last am really great chieftain they
negotiate with ne on a footing OF equality, both
! tile Son OF Heaven ana his rival Tapping wag.
| An odd name. is il not? And yet these people
! are powerful and influential aud lead the same
! life as We 90. Here L have attained Importance