The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-02

English to. am so tired of French and Ger
man, although they fiatter me by saying
mat speak those two languages well; yet
English Is my own tongue, and IL Is so de-
iigntful 10 talk with one vino can UNDER
stand every blessed word you say, which
you can easily see those who pretend TO
speak English in Vienna do not. What
long chats we shall have. And now come
this way TO the carriage. There g a man
here to look after your luggage. You are
coming right home with me and going
10 stay with me as long as YOU are in
Vienna. Don't say no. nor make any ex-
cuse, nor talk of going TO a hotel for
suite OF rooms is all ready. for you and
your luggage will be there before we are.
Now let us enter the carriage. for I am just
pining TO hear what il is you have hand;
some delicious scandal | hope
NO" answered Jennie; 1T pertains to
government matters.
"oh. dear" cried the princess. How tire
Il don't think this case IS dull" said
Jennie. because 1t has brought Austria and
England to the verge of war"
What a dreadful idea. / hadn't heard
anything of it. When did this happen?"
Less than a month ago." And Jennie re-
lated the whole circumstance. giving a
synopsis OF the premier'S speech.
But 1 see nothing in that speech to cause
war protested the princess 1T is as mild
as new milk
Il don't pretend to understand diplo-
macy" continued Jennie. blushing slightly
as she remembered Lord Donal. and 1t
seemed that the same thought struck the
looked quizzically at Jennie and burst out
into a laugh.
is a serious business. They say 1T only
needed a second new milk speech from the
premier TO have England answer most po-
litely In words OF honey, and next instant
the two countries would have been at each
others throats.'
Suppose We write to Lord Donal in ST:
Petersburg" suggested the princess, still
laughing, ''and ask him to come to Vienna
and help US? He understands all about
diplomacy. BY the way. Jennie. did Lord
Donal ever find out whom he met at the
mo, he didn't" answered Jennie. shortly.
Don't you ever intend to let him know?
Are you going TO leave the romance I'M
finished, like one of Henry James's novels:"
1T isn't a romance: It is simply very
ing to forget ever since. 1t is all very we'll
the subject again Ill leave you and go to
a hotel"
"Oh, no, you won't" chirruped the
princess brightly. You darent: You know
/ am the goddess of the machine. AT any
time l can send letter TO Lord Donal and
set the poor young mans mind at rest. So,
you see. Miss Jennie, you will have to talk
very sweetly and politely to me and not
make any threats, because l am like those
dreadful persons in the sensational plays
who hold the guilty secrets of other people
and blackmail them. But you are nice
want TO hear said. Now, what is 1t you
wish to find out about this political crisis?
want TO discover why the premier ola
not follow up his speech with another. He
must have known when he spoke how his
words would be taken in England. There
fore it is thought that he had some plans
which unforeseen circumstances intervening
have nulified. ! want to know what those
unforeseen circumstances were. For the
past fortnight the Daily Bugle has had two
men here in Vienna trying to throw some
light on the dark recesses of diplomacy.
Up to date they have failed, but at any mo-
ment they may succeed. 1t was because
they failed that am sent here. Now, have
you anything to suggest, Madame la Prin-
cesSe?"
together and learn all that those clever
diplomatists wish TO hide. Have you no
plans yourself?'
II have no very definite plan, but have
general scheme. These men 1 spoke of
are trying TO discover what other men are
endeavoring to conceal. All the officials are
on their guard. They are highly placed
and are not likely to be got at by bribery.
They are clever alert men of the world, SO
therefore. l think my two fellow-journal-
lists have difficult task before them
But it is the same task that you have
before you. Why is it not difficult for
You, Jennie, as for them?'
Because l propose to work with people
who are not on their guard, and there is
where you can help me, If you are not
shocked at my proposal. Each official has a
wife, or at least most of them have. Some
OF these wives. in all probability, possess
Women will talk more freely with women
than men with men. Now, 1 propose to
leave the officials severely alone and to in
The princess clapped her hands.
Excellent! she cried. 1.-The women of
Vienna are the greatest gossips you ever
heard chattering together. have never TAX
en- any interest in politics; otherwise l sup
pose / might have become possessed of some
important government secrets. Now, Jennie,
Ill tell you what / propose doing. / shall
give a formal tea next Thursday afternoon.
/ shall invite to that tea dozen or two
officials about the court. My husba nd will
like that, because he is always complaining
that L do not pay enough attention to the
ladies of the political circle of Vienna. He
takes great interest in politics, you know.
If We discover nothing at the first tea
meeting We will have another and another
and another until we do. We are sure to
invite the right woman on one occasion or
another, and when We find her I'll warrant
the secret will soon belong to US. All, here
we are at home, and we will postpone the
discussion of our plans until you have had
something TO eat and are rested a Bit"
Inc carriage drew up at the magnificent
longed to the Prince Won Steinheimer and
shortly afterward Jennie Baxter found her
self in possession of the finest suite of rooms
she had ever beheld in her life. Jennie
laughed as she looked around her rooms
and noted their luxurious appointments
These are not exactly what We should
SAID to the princess, who stood by her side,
delighted at the pleasure of her friend.
we o1ten read or poor penny-a-liners in
their garrets, but don't think any penny
a-liner ever had such a garnet as this
placed at his disposal"
I knew you would like the rooms" cried
the princess. gayly. II like them myself,
and L hope they will help to induce YOU
to stay in Vienna as long as you can. /
nave given you my own maid. Gretieh.
and l assure you it isn't every friend 1
would lend her to. She is model servant
oh. but you mustn't do that" said Jen-
ME. II cannot rob you of your maid and
also be selfish enough to monopolize these
rooms"
You are not robbing me. In fact I am
perhaps little artful in giving you Gret-
Itch. for she is down in the dumps this last
week or two, and don't know what in the
world is the matter with her. 1 suspect
1t Is some love affair, but she will say
and again what is the trouble. Now, you
are such a cheerful, consoling young wOm-
an that thought if Gretlich were in your
service for a time she might brighten up
and be her own self again. So, you see
instead of robbing me- / am really taking
advantage of your good nature"
II am afraid you are just saying that to
make Ii easier for me TO be selfish; still,
you are so generous, princess. that I am
not going to object to anything you do
but Just give myself up to luxury while I
stay in Vienna"
THAT is right. All. here is Gretlich.
Now. Gretlich, l want you to help make
Miss Bakers stay here so pleasant that
she will never want to leave u.s."
II shall do my best, your highneSs," said
the girl with quiet Difference.
The princess left the two alone together,
and Jennie saw that Gretlich was not the