Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-03-20

There was the model, ana am Douno
to say that it was not a very good one.
Eyes, said Nadia, it is stiff and
awkward. said SO before to your moth
er, prince.
"'Did your he grow1ed.
Then the old lady, who had been
examining the figure carefully, burst
out in acid triumph:
Its not the figure l saw! What's
the meaning of this? The one saw had
a red flower in its buttonhole Nadia,
what's the meaning of this?
'sThe poor girl flushed crimson, lmt !
interposed with great suavity:
"You arc perfectly right, princess. "
The figure, is not the same. The one you
saw was an experimental trial. 1t was
considered unsatisfactory and was melt
ed down. This is q new one. Isn't that
so, M. Marribon?''
'''It is so, monsieur, said Marribon,
who was accompanying our distinguish
ed party.
But, cried the old lady, the one
saw was thousand times better. 1t
was most lifelike.
"'Oh, did you think SO, dear?' pro
tested Nadia
Suddenly the prince turned furious
ly to Marribon.
"'Speak the truth, be cried, as you
told it to me at the police bureau this
morningP
''The wretch looked at me with an
expression of helpless apology and be-
hind him saw that policeman!
Does M. le Prince cite M. Marri-
bon to contradict me?' asked haugh
tily.
"'You'll hear what he says. The
truth, sir, not the lies you bribed him
to tell.
'tMarribon had sold mel No doubt
the policeman had smelt a rat, and the
princes threat had done the rest. In a
trembling voice the wretch began to re-
peat the whole story of how went to
him. The old princess eyes blazed with
triumphant malice, the prince listened
with grim smile, and poor Nadia was
as pale as ghost, and, as you may sup
pose, was very uncomfortable.
'Then,' asked the prince, there
was no figure of this gentleman here at
all the day before yesterday
"'None, your highness.
"'Yet my mother saw one, and you,
policeman, saw one?'
''The policeman stepped forward.
"I saw figure, your highness, said
he.
"'I think we will ask Mr. Dexter to
explain, grinned the prince. Other
wise we must come to the conclusion
that there was no figure.
81 had nothing to say.
"'And, he pursued, that trick has
been played, and that the pretended fig
ure was Mr. Dexter himself, who un-
dertook this deception for motives not
hard to guess, and he stared cruelty at
the hapless Nadia.
every one was silent The truth
seemed now too plain to be denied.
saw what would happen. My portrait
would be ignominiously ordered off,
ran risk of worse things, and I did
not dare to think what would happen to
poor Nadia, who, overcome by shame,
began to shed tears.
''At this moment a quiet, grave voice
was heard. Everybody listened, for it
proceeded from the Grand Duke A,
who was q forget whether mentioned
it betore) one of my guests.
I can understand the princess in
dignation and the emotion she shows,
said the grand duke. What I do not
understand, and desire to speak with
all respect of Prince x, is the remark
able scene to which we have been treat
ed. What may be the motives of this
rogue, he indicated Marribon, I do not
know, but am so happy as to be able
to bear testimony, which will command,
venture to think, at least as much at
tention as that of a FELLOW who comes
forward with such a tale. Pray, Prince
K, are you willing to accept my word
against that of your waxwork maker
and your policeman?'
every one was astonished, l most of
all Nadia looked up with CLEAN of
hope in her eyes, Of. course the prince
could do nothing but bow deferentially
and say:
Whatever your imperial highness
speaks to needs, sir, no confirmation,
and is affected by no contradiction.
Il am obliged to you, said the
grand duke stiff1y. What | have to say
Is SIMPLY thls--thaS in the morning OF
the day before yesterday, at the invita-
tion of my good and distinguished
friend, Mr.. Dexter, whose merits the
cZar. no less than myself, is delighted to
see recognized, accompanied him to
this gallery, incognito, for the purpose
of giving him my opinion on the expert
mental figure. The figure was then in
its place, and inspected it in company
with Mr.. Dexter himself. 1t will hardly
be suggested that 1 saw double
"He ceased. dared not look at him.
The prince and his mother were con-
founded. but they could say nothing.
Nadia was full of gratitude and began
to thank the grand duke warmly.
"I have only said what any gentle
man would, said the grand duke bow
ing respectfully to her.
'In fact, we triumphed all along tho
line, and there stands the model of me
to this day, unless, Of curse, it has
been removed since I was there.
"And what became of Marribon?"
asked
'He got 12 months, the rascal, for
slander. The prince was forced to do it
by the grand duke
"But, jack" said the colonel, "why
did the grand duke''-
ooh, well," said Jack, she was a
very gallant man, and-this is between
ourselves. you know--he had a ton
derness for Nadia himself. She never re-
turned it---why, of course, don't know
which makes his conduct all the more
handsome
He rose and moved toward the door.
''She was woman of great presence
of mind, your princess, some one OBJ
served.
"Wonderfull" said Jack. "And of
even more marvellous beauty" and he
laid his hand ON tho door.
whats become of her?' cried the
colonel. ''Do you ever see her now?"
Never never shall again." said
lack in tones Of deem emotion as he