The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-07

than series of letters, their substance
merely is here given.
When Jennie was herself again, she
wrote long letter to the Princess Won
Steinheimer, detailing the particulars
Of her impersonation and begging par
don for what she had done, while Civ
ing her reasons for doing it. But. per-
haps because it did not occur to her. she
made not the slightest reference to Lord
Donal Stirling. Two answers came to
this-one registered packet containing
the diamonds which the princess had
previously offered to her, the other a
letter from the princess own hand.
The glitter of the diamonds showed
Jennie that she had been speedily for
given, and the letter corroborated this
In fact, the princess upbraided her for
not letting her into the secret earlier.
"It is just the jolly kind of thing /
should have delighted in,' wrote her
highness. "And then, if I had known,
should not have sent that unlucky
telegram. 1t serves you right and am
| glad you had a fright. Think of it
coming in at that inopportune moment,
just as kilograms do at play. But,
Jennie, are you sure you told me every
thing2 A letter came from London the
day before yours arrived, and it be-
| wildered me dreadfully at first Don
| Stirling, whom I used to know in
Washington Ia conceited young fellow
be was then; hope he has improved
| since), wrote to say that he had met a
| girl at the Duchess OF Chiselhurst's ball
who had letter inviting the Princess
Won Steinheimer to the festivity. He
| thought at first she was the princess
| (Which is very mplimentary to each
of us), but found later that she wasn't
Now, he wants to know, you know, and
| thinks, quite reasonably. that I must
have some inkling who that girl was,
and he begs me, by our old friendship.
ETC. He is nice young man, if trifle
confident (these young diplomatists
think they hold the reins of the uni
verse in their hands). and would like
to oblige him, but thought first I
would hear what you had to say about
it. am to address him care of the en-
bassy at St Petersburg, SO suppose
he's stationed there now. BY the way.
how did he get your glove, or is that
merely brag on his parts He says that
1t is the only clew he has, and he is go
ing to trace you from that, it seems, If
do not tell him who you are and send
him your address. Now. what am to
say when write to st. Petersburgs"
In reply to this Jennie sent a some
what incoherent letter, very different
from her usual style of writing. She
had not mentioned the young man in
her former communication. she said.
because she had been trying to forget
the incident in which he was the CEN
tral figure. In no circumstances could
she meet him again, and she implored
the princess not to disclose her identity
to him even by hint She explained
the glove episode exactly as it had hap
peped; she was compelled to sacrifice
the glove to release her hand. He had
been very kind in helping her to escape
from a false position, but it would be
too humiliating for her ever to see him
or speak with him again.
When this letter reached the schloss
at Meran. the princess telegraphed to
London, "Send me the other glove,
and Jennie sent 1t. A few days later
came a further communication from the
princess
81 have puzzled our young man quite
effectually, think, clever as he inn
agines himself to be. l wrote him
semi-indignant letter to St Petersburg
and said thought all along he had not
really recognized me at the ball. in.spite
of his protestations at first Then saw
how easily he was deluded into the be-
lief that ! was some other woman. and
so the temptation to further cozen him
was irresistible. Am not good actress
/ asked him. / went on to say. with
some show of anger, that a quiet firta-
tion in the gallery was all very well in
its way, but when it came to young
man rushing in frenzy bareheaded in
to the street after respectable married
woman who had just got into her car
riage and was about to drive away it
was too much altogether. and thus he
came into possession of the glove. As
the remaining glove was Of no use to
me, had great pleasure In sending it
to him, but warned him that if the
story of the gloves ever came to the
ears of my husband would deny hav-
ing either owned or worn them
should like to see pon's amazed look
when the other glove drops out of my
letter, which was bulky package and
cost ever so much in postage. think
the sending Of the glove was an inspira-
tion. fancy his lordship will be now
completely deluded and that you need
have no further fear of his finding
you"
Jennie read this letter over once or
twice. and in spite of her friendly feel
ing for the princess there was some
thing in the epistle which Jared on
her. Nevertheless she wrote and thanked
the princess for what she had done and
tried to forget all about everything
pertaining to the ball. However. she
was not allowed to erase all thoughts
of Lord ponal from her mind, even if
she could havo accomplished this task
! unimpeded. There shortly arrived a
brief note from the princess. inclosing
letter the young diplomatist at ST.
Petersburg had written.
"Dear Princess Gt ran). am very
much obliged to you for the companion
glove, as am thus enabled to keep
one and use the other as clew /
see you not only know who the mys-
terious young lady is. but that you
| have since met her. or at least have