The Norfolk weekly news., 1900-08-02
JENNIE BAXTER. JOURNALIST
BY ROBERT BARR.
n.-The DI0nO[dS OI Ihe Princess.
tcopyrirh,. 1900. by Robert B.r.l

|
Duchess OF Chiselhurst for grand ball
swell affair, but | don't care enough
for such things to 20 all the way to
England to enjoy them. Would you
therefore send her grace my regretsr'
IL will do so at once.
At that moment there came mes-
senger from the prince asking Miss
Baxter to meet him in the library. The
girl glanced up at the princess. Have
| your permission to GOT" she said.
The princess looked at her steadily
for a moment, just the faintest suspi-
cion of n frown on her fair brow.
81 do not suppose you need my per-
mission. Her highness spoke with slow
deliberation. "My husband condescends
TO take considerable interest in you.
Passing along the corridor this morn
ing heard your voices in most ami
mated conversation.
Had you sufficient interest in our
discussion to stop and listen to what we
said, Princess Won SteinheimerH
"Ahl Now you are becoming inso-
lent and l must ask you to consider
your engagement with me at an end. "
"Surely you will not dismiss me in
that heartless way, princess. l think
am entitled to n months notice, or is
1t only week'st"
81 will pay you years salary or
two years, if that will content you.
have no wish to deal harshly with you,
but desire you to leave mt once, said
the princess who had little sense of
in earnest when she asked for notice
Miss Baxter laughed merrily and re-
piled when she was able to control her
mirth. IL do hate to leave the castle
just when things were becoming inter
esting. Still don't suppose shall need
to 20 away in spite Of your dismissal,
for the prince this morning offered me
ten times the amount of money you are
paying.
Did heY"
"Be assured he did. If you don't be-
lieve me, ask him. told him he was a
fool; but, alas, we live in cynical age,
and few men believe all they hear, SO
fear my expression of opinion made lit
tie impression on him.
II shall not keep You longer from his
highness, said the princess, with freez-
ing dignity.
THANK You so much. l am just dy
ing to meet him, for l know he has
something most interesting to tell me.
Don you think yourself, princess, that
u man acts rather like n fool when he is
deeply in love?"
To this there was no reply, and the
princess left the room. Miss Jennie
jumped to her feet and almost ran TO
the library. She found the prince walk
ing up and down the long room with
telegraph message in his hand.
"Iou are most wonderful young
woman, he said "read that.
81 have been told so by more observ-
ing men than You, Prince Won Steinhei,
mer, said the girl, taking the tele.
gram. 1t was from the manager of the
bank in Vienna, and it ran Especial
messenger leaves with package by the
Meran express tonight
"Just as thought" said Miss Jen.
ME 1.-The diamonds never left the bank.
| suppose those idiots of servants which
the princess has round her didn' know
what they took away from Vienna and
what they left Then, when the dia,
monds We're missing, they completely
lost their heads-not that any ono in
the castle has much wits to spare. |
never saw such an incompetent lot. -
The prince laughed.
lyon think, perhaps, have not wits
enough to see that my wife cares for
me. Is that ity Is that why you gave
me my own letters2"
"Oh. you are well mated The prin-
cess now does me the honor of being
jealous of me. Think of that!. As if it
were possible that should take any in.
terest in you. for l have seen real men
in my time. -
The prince regarded her with his most
severe expression.
'Are you not hattering yourself
somewhat, young lady2'
"Oh, dear, no! take il as the reverse
of tattering to be supposed that | have
any liking for such ninny as You are
Flattering indeed And she has haughti,
ly dismissed me, if you please, "
1.-The princess has? What have You
been saying to herr
"Oh, l made the most innocent re.
mark, and it was the truth, too. which
shows that honesty is not always the
best policy ! merely told her that you
had offered Inc ten times the amount of
money she is paying me. You needn t
jump as if somebody had shot off a gun
at your ear You know you did make
such an Offer.
lyon confounded little mischief
maker" cried the prince in anger.
"Did you tell her what it was fors"
"Eo. She did not ask.
II will thank you to apply the clev.
srnsss you seem to possess to the undo
ing of the harm you have 30 light
heartedly caused"
How can II am ordered to leave
tonight when / did so wish to stay and
see the diamond denouement.
lyon are not going tonight. shall
speak to the princess about il If that
should be necessary. Your mention Of
IL. \ l.