The Washington weekly post., 1899-07-04

tiresOme. Politics is 80 dull"
Il don't think this case Is dGll" said
Jei ME, because Il has brought Austria
and England 10 the verge Of war
What a dreadful idea, I hadn't heard
anything Of IL. when did this happen?
Less than a month ago" And Jennie
related the whole circumstance. giving
z synopsis Of the Premier's speech.
But / see nothing In that speech 10
cause war" protested the Princess. III
is ss mid as new milk
Il don't pretend to understand diplo-
macy" continued Jennie, blushing slight
o. as she remembered Lord Donal, and II
seemed that the same thought struck the
Prices at the same moment, for she
looked quizzically at Jennie and burst
cut into a laugh.
You may laugh. but I tell you that
this is a serious business. They say II
Only needed a second new milk speech
from the Premier TO have England an
swer most politely in words OF honey.
and next ins ant the two countries would
have been at each others throats."
Suppose We write to Lord Donal in 81.
Petersburg" suggested the Princess, still
laughing. "and ask him 10 come TO Vi
erna and help US? He understands all
about diplomacy. BY the way. Jennie,
did Lord Donal ever find out whom he
met at the BAH that nightg'
mo, he didn't" answered Jennie short
'iy.
Don't you ever intend TO let him
know? Are you going to leave the ro-
nance unfinished, like one Of Henry
James novels?''
1T isn't a romance IL Is simply very
distressing incident which | have been
trying 10 forget ever since. 1t is all very
well for you 10 laugh. but If you ever
mention the subject again I'll leave you
and &c TO hotel"
"Oh. no. you won't" chirruped the
Princess brightly. You darent. you
know / am the goddess of the machine.
At any time / can send a letter TO Lord
DonaI and set the poor young man 5
mind at rest So, you see, Miss Jennie.
YOU will have to talk very sweetIy and
politely TO me and not make any threats
because / am like those dreadful persons
I'm the sensational plays who hold the
guilty secrets Of other people and black
mail them. But you are a nice girl, and
| won't say anything you don't want to
hear said. Now. what is 1t YOU wish 20
find out about this political crisis"
Il want to discover why the Premier
did not follow up his speech with an
other. He must have known when he
spoke how his words would be taken IN
England. Therefore II is thought that he
had some plans which unforeseen cir
cumstances intervening have nullified. l
want to know what those unforeseen cir
cumstances were. For the past fortnight
1.-THE Daily Bugle has had two men here IN
Vienna trying 10 throw some light on the
dark recesses Of diplomacy. Up 10 date
they have failed, but at any moment they
may succeed. 1t was because they falied
that | am sent here. Now, have you any
thing to suggest, Nine. la Princesseg'
Il suggest, Jennie, that we put our
heads together and learn all that those
clever diplomatists wish TO hide Have
you no plans yourself?'
Il have no very definite plan. but have
u general scheme. These men ! 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 hoodwinking them is out of the
question; therefore, / think, my two fell
| low journalists have a difficult task be-
! fore them"
/ But it the same task that you have
| before you Why is it not as difficult fol
! you. Jennie, as for Them
! Because | propose to work with people
who are not on their guard. and there il
] where you can help me, If you are not
| shocked at my proposal. Each officia
! has a wife, or at least most of them
/ have. Some Of these wives, in all proba.
| bility, possess the information that We
would like to get. Women will talk more
! freely with women than men will with
men. Now, | propose to leave the officials
/ severely alone and 10 interview the
| wives"
! The Princess clapped her hands.
| Excellent she cried. THE women OF
! Vienna are the greatest gossips you ever
I heard chatterng together. / have never
! taken any interest in politics: otherwise
/ / suppose | might have become possessed
of some important government secrets
! Now, Jennie, I'll tell you what / propose
! doing. l shall give a formal tea mex
. Thursday afternoon, / shall invite Il
that tea dozen or two d zen or three
dozen wives of high-p placed officials abOu
! the court. My husband will like that
/ because he is always complaining that
do not pay enough attention to the ladies
of the political circle of Vienna. He take
a great interest in politics, you know. /
we discover nothing at the first tea meet
ing, we will have another and anothe
and another until We do. We are sur
to invite the right woman on one occa
sion or another, and when we find he
I'll warrant the secret will soon belong
to us All, here We are at home, and w
will postpone the discussion Of our PLAN
until you have had something to eat ant
are rested bit"
The carriage drew up at the magnificen
palace, we'll known in Vienna. which be
l0nged to the Prince Won Steinheimef
and shortly after Jennie Baxter foun'
herself in possession Of the finest suite o
rooms she had ever beheld in her life
Jennie laughed as she looked around he
rooms and noted their luxurious appoint
ments.
"These are not exactly what we shoul
call 'diggings in London, are they sh
said to the Princess, who stood by he
ST le, delighted at the pleasure of he
friend. I'VE often read of poor penny-a
liners in their garrets, but l don't thin
any penny -a-liner ever had such a garre
as this placed al his disposal"
Il knew YOU would like the rooms" erie
the Princess gayly. Il like them myself
and | hope they will help 10 induce you I
STAY in Vienna as long as you can. / hav
given you my own maid, Gretlich, and
assure YOU il isn't every friend | wCul
lend ner 10. She is a model servant
"Ob. but you mustn't do THAR said Jer
ME Il cannot rob you of your maid an
also be selfish enough 10 mOnOpoiiZe thes
rooms"
You are not TObbing me. In fact, l al
p4rhaps little artful in giving you Grel
Iich. for she is down IN the dumps hi
last week or tive, end l don't know wha
in the world is the matter with her.
SUSPECT IL is some love affair, hut she wi
say nothing. although | have asked ht
time and again what is the trouble. Nov
ycu are such a cheerful cOnaolins youn
woman that / thought If Gre:lich were /
your service for a time she might Drlghte
I'D and be her own self again. SO, 20
see. instead Of robbing me. l am reali
. taking advantage Of your good nature.
Il am afraid you are just saying tha
, n make il easier for me TO be seltisf
still. YOU are so generous, Princess, that
ara not going 10 object 10 anything yo
, do. but Just give myself up TO luxury Viii
I stay in Vienna
That is right. All, here Is Gretliel
. Nov, Gretllch, I want you 10 help maA
. Miss Baxter's stay here so pleasant thi
. She wiU never want 10 leave us-"
haEFhF 6