The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-24
Royal Magazine.

1t happened not very many Yeas d5O'
The scene was a well-known Southern
continental seaport. The first act was
nIaved at a ball in honor of the Russian
feet. whose short visit to those waters
had Put the whole town en- fete
In one of those flowery, palm-hidden
recesses, considerably arranged for SIT
+ers-out. a couple were resting after the
last waltz. She was Of the type so
general in London between the months
Of Anrl and July. Tall, brown-haired,
claar-compIexioned, and, what is per-
hans not quite so usual, perfectly dress
cd. her gown bearing the unmistakaoie
hallmark of Doucet's genius. He' 100
was Enthusiastically English. Fair, Win
q tendency to leanness and considerable
length and muscular development; a
Thin face, tanned to healthy brown
with any pretensions to good LOOKS
slightly Iessened by a curious sleepy
drcop of the eyelids. Yet there We're
neonIe who. after once interceping
glance from the eyes themselves were
wont to pronounce their owner very
vide-awake person indeed.
Taking a holiday she was saying
Eareastically. "Ah, you must need one!
He smiled gently. Eyes, see you know
our life at the embassy. We smoke cl-
parettes all day, and succeed In getting
mn sufficient energy to attend receptions
I'm the evening But one requires re-
taxation even from doing nothing!
Miss Fame frowned. MY father" she
returned, with dignity, us IN the d1pto-
20
thing about It,"
His smile deepened, less at the reouke
than at the unintentional siur conveyed
bv her words on her fathers capabilities
for work
Far be it from me to refute any OF
those established facts, or bring forwa
popular fallacy-among ours =lves-;hat
occasionally we do a little hard work
under compulsion, of course! But
speaking of Lord Wickham, he has kind
w asked me TO stay on board the yacht
during the few days I shall be here
the shore accommodation is imp easantly
crowded just now
"Oh, has he?" she replied, and, used
as he was to reading tones and faces,
he could not tell If she were pleased or
sorry.
Presently she rose, and, with little
movement, shook out her skirts.
Shall we so back?'' she asked. THE
music IS beginning
Don't you think" he remarked, tenta-
tivelv, this weather is too hot for dan
cling? 1t would be so easy to avoid ones
partner here.
4o.F 4 ,,,d Sy,oil cd
apparently with no intention of taking.
the hint. Are you coming, Mr.. Sey-
mour?"
At the entrance to the bah room they
were met by q tall, fair man in the uni
form of a Russian naval lieutenant. He
appeared to be searching for some one,
and his face lighted up suddenly at the
sight of Miss Fame.
"Ah," he said, softly, speaking In
French, Il thought you had forgotten"
Then his eyes fell on her companion,
and an indesorbable look flashed into
his face 1t was to the girl watching
him as if for the fraction OF second a
mask slipped from his features, and a
strange representatives, it surprise, fear,
recognition, or ali three?-gleamed in his
eyes. Puzzled, she glanced for eXplana-
ton ct her former partner, If in that
brief moment his, face, too, had changed,
1t only woIe now its customary express
sion of blank impassiveness, and as she
looked he bowed his thanks and. moved
away.
Seymour watched till he saw her yell
low skirts whirled away into the bril-
gold lace many-colored uniforms and
dresses then he passed out on to one
OF the balconies, and, lighting cigar
cite, leant his elbows on the railing.
In spite of the iateness of the hour the
streets were still crowded, and across
the harbor steam launches and pinnaces
Of all sizes flashed to and fro and in and
out, like so many gigantic fireflies. The
yards and sides of the ships were dressed
with strings of Colored lanterns, and so
brilliant were the Examinations one cou:d
almost discern the figures on the decks
OF the huge ironclads.
From the gay, hag-draped ballroom
foated continuous ripple of voices, light
laughs, and the notes of a dreamy waltz.
Now and again, when anyone paused near
the open windows, one caug 1T detached
fragments of conversation. Two men
had stopped there now. They were
senior officers in the English navy, who
fred by desire to see something of the
festivities, had come over from Malta or
q few days leave.
Seymour was drawing another cigar
cite from his case when someone touched
him On the shoulder. A little, thin, wien
faced man, the left side of whose coat
was completely hidden by ribbons, stars
and orders, was standing behind them.
Il wanted you, Seymour he said. He
spoke quietly, almost with an cir of pro
prietorship. Have you seen my daugh
ter?"
"she is dancing with one of the visi-
tors. sir. By the way" he added, care
lessly II discovered in him an old
acquaintance! Strange, wasn't it?"
The other thoughtfully stroked his
short pointed moustache, while his little
twinlding eyes surveyed his companion
narrowly. Somehow his appearance
was subtly suggestive of a lean, wise
old grey fox.
"Ah," he said at last, land did he
fiO" Sou! ueil ASL l II IL lIItle udHSeI-
Gus to play such an open game?"
Less than a secretive one. Had he
discovered I was here in concealment II
would have caused suspicion. AS youl
guest" he ended his sentence with g
little characteristic ghrug.
well, anyway, you'll send off YOU
traps to the yacht tomorrow? 1 shall
feel more comfortable knowing you are
on board. One has to be careful II
these affairs?"
There was a short silence Now ant
ncain o rnnlrat ,.nrnt IN from ono of III.