Evening star., 1897-03-13

house. but was not received In society.
Lady Craieennoch. however. opining. just
l. enough that since she had no girls she
might know whom sha leased. Rad called
on the lady and was friendly terms
with her. The lady was named Mrs Rivers
and was understood to be widow. And
surely Cue needn't ask for his death GER
tfcate, pleaded Lady Craisennoch.
B:=rs, as he took tea in Mrs. Rivers bou-
Gsir. was quite of the same mind. He
ngrSed his square chin in his lean hand,
and regarded his hostess with marked at
teatiGr. She was handsome-that fact
concerned Byers very little: she also
nagn-ticently seIf-contident-this trait
rousei his interest in a moment. He came
TO See her more than once again: for
an idea had begun to shape itself in his
brain. He mertioIed ii 20 nobody. least
Of all 70 Mrs Rivers. But one day she
sad to him. with the careless contempt
that re admired:
If l had all your money 1 should do
s-rlethipg with it
Don't I?' ne asked. half liking, half
reSeuting her manner.
oh. you make more money with it, L
suppose"
She paused for moment and then. lean
Ing forward began to discuss European
politics. with especial reference TO the con-
ditio1 Of affairs in Prince Julian's coun-
try Byers listened il silence; she told
him much that ne knew. a few things
which had escaped him. She told him also
one thing which he did not believe-that
Prince Juiian's indoIent airs covered
character of rare resolution ard tenacity
She repeated this twice thereby betrayfng
that She was rot sure her first statement
had carried conyictios. Then she showed
that the existing government in the
princes country vas weak, divided, un-
popular and poor; and then she ran over
the list OF rival pretenders. and proved
how deficient all of them We're IN the quail
tiles necessary to gain keep a throne.
~ this point she stopped. and asked Mr..
Byers 10 take second cup of tea. He
looked at her with interest and amuse-
ment in his shrewd eyes: she had all the
genius. the natiye power, with none of
the training. none of the knowledge of
men He read her SO easily. but there was
good deal to read In point, how
ever, ne read her wrongly; almost the only
mistakes he made were due to forgetting
the possible existence of unselfsh emotion.
Prince Julian had plenty of imagination
without any difficulty ne imagined himself
reSaiaing his ancestral throne sitting ON 1t
in majesty. and establishing IL in power
This vision Mrs Rivers called up before
his receptive mind by detailing her con-
versation with Mr. Byers. You want moth
ing but money II DO II" she said And
Byers had money in great heaps. Shum
had ii, too. and Shum was for present pur-
poses Byers. so were number of other
persons, all with money. II believe the
people devoted 10 me in their hearts"
sall Prince Julian: then he caught Mrs.
Rivers by both her hands and cried. And
then you shall be my queen"
Indeed. | wont" said said She and she
that up again now2 II would spoil 1t ALL"
For, contrary TO what the world thought,
Prince Julian had offered several times
20 marry the lady who was not received
nor visited Except, Of course. by Lady
CraiSennoch-) Stranger still. this marriage
was the thing which the prince desired
above all things. for, failing 1t. he feared
tAat some day towing 10 a conscience and
other considerations Mrs. Rivers would
leave him. and he really did not know
what he should do then. When he imaS-
IL.
Rivers was always very near at hand;
whether actually on the throne beside him
or just Dehird ii was a point he was prone
to shirk, at any cost, though she must be
very near.
As time vent there were many meet
ings at Palace Gate; the prince, Mr.. Shum
aEd Lady Craigenroch were present some
times. Mrs Rivers and Byers were never
wanting. The princes imagination was
immensely stimulated in those days: Lady
Craighennochs love for a speculation was
splendidly indulsed; Mr.. Shum's cautious
disposition received terrible shocks. Mrs.
Rivers discussed European politics, the at
titude of the church and the secret quar-
rsls Of the cabinet in Prince Julian's coun-
try: and Byers silently gathered together
ali the money OF his and other peo-
Pies on which he could lay hands. He
was medftating great coup; and just now
and then he felt queer touch Of remorse
when he reflected that his coup was so
very different from the coup to which Mrs.
Rivers diSquisitions and the princes vivid
Imagination invited him But he believed
In the survival Of the httest. and, although
Mrs Rivers very fit, he himself was
just BY little bit filter still. Meanwhile
the government in the princes country
faced its many difficulties with much bold
ness. and seemed on the whole safe
enough.
The birth and attributes of rumor have
often engaged the attention of poets; who
can doubt that their rhetoric would have
been embellished and their metaphors muI-
tiplied had they possessed more intimate
acquaintance with the places where money
Is bought and sold2 For in respect OF
awakening widespread interest. and affect
Ing the happiness OF homes. what is the
character of any lady. however high born,