The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-04-02

in private-by proposing. She must
have enjoyed herself immensely. The
only blot upon the page of Mrs
Weaver's happiness was the loss of
her pearl comb, which occurred some
time during the evening.
Then we began spirited contest in
dinner, tea and dance given for the
royal stranger within our gates.
Finally dear old Mrs. Bailey sent out
cards for a dance.
'I'm sure she is the Princess, my
dear Louise" said she to me, ''for in
a book she lent Adele the other day
there was scrap of paper with the
royal arms of the Hofwohlenburg
house. And besides, l overheard-no,
you needn't look like that-I wasn't
listening-I overheard her Mrs.
Gray call her Stephanie, and you
know she calls herself Mary, and
Stephanie is the name of the Princess
of Hofwohlenburg.
'She may be an impostor," sug.
gestod I.
"But she doesn't pretend to be q,
Princess. She pretends not to be.
"True," l acknowledged, and went
off to tiress for my godmother's ball.
/ was so much at home in her house
that when put my slippers heel
through my chiffon skirt, I did not go
to the dressing room, but to my god.
mothers own room. The light was
dim as I entered. In front of the
dressing table bent gtfe-a figure
clad in white satin with brilliant
blossoms of the sabria in her dull,
dark hair.
"Miss Barlowl" I gasped.
She turned quickly her hand hidden
in the folds of her skirt.
"Ah!" she said IL little TREMENDOUSLY.
.Your aunt--is it?-kindly bade me
find pins here.
Mrs Bailey's jewel case was un-
locked on the dressing table. l
stepped quickly to the door and
locked it. was taking great risks,
but
"Will you please let me see what
you have in your hand?" / asked.
''What do you meanP" flashed the
Princess.
"You know what I mean. If / am
wrong you may do what you will. If
I am right Let me see your
hand I"
Il advanced, seized her wrist and
gave it the brutal twist my brother
had taught me in the days when was
a tomboy. Her fingers relaxed and
she gave little moan of pain.
"You are more daring tonight than
at Mrs. Weaver's and at Mrs. Stones.
A diamond brooch and the emerald
ring my godfather brought my god
mother from Russia .and-you didn't
even despise silver backed nail
polisher! But then it isn't naked.
Two brilliant red spots burned on
the Princess cheeks.
"What will you do?" she breathed
in whisper.
Her gray eyes were black with terror
and wide with appeal.
"Have you the rest of your
plunder?"
''Yes."
"Take me with you and give it to
me, and will see. :"
"Don't-don't give me up!" she
begged. "Don'tl See how it was /
was poor and loved pleasure and did
not have it. And / knew I could
shine-I knew it! So, 1 came here,
and how / fooled you all by my cum,
ningly planned incognito! Woll, I
didn't mean to rob. I merely meant
to impose on you all and win respect
and alteration and pleasure. Then
these fat, old women and their gems!
Their gems would keep me the winter
in luxury. and then 1 might marty
luxury aud have it forever. And
somehow through it all I knew you'd
find me out, you cold-faced woman,
you'll"
II like good acting" said !. 'Let
me go with you and search your
rooms. Give me what you have stolen
and go away before we have walked in
the morning. 1t may be compound
lug felony, but will your"
Eyes, she whispered.
And at noon the next day glad
dened the hearts of two of our first