The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-05-11

81 DOM understand what this has to
do with the case, he said at last. cit
seems to tS an order on the bank at
Vienna for the diamonds. written by
the princess herself. -
"Of course it is. Well, if Che dia-
monds had been delivered, that paper
would now. be in the possession of the
bank instead Of in your hands.
Perhaps she mislaid this order and
wrote another.
"Perhaps. Still it might be worth
while finding out. -
"Take this. then, to the princess and
ask her.
''It is not likely she would remem-
Der. The better plan is to telegraph at
once to the Vienna bank, asking them
to send the diamonds to Meran by spe-
cial messenger. No one there knows
that the diamonds are missing"
81 will do SO at once" cried the
prince, with more animation in his
voice than Miss Baxter had previously
noticed. His highness was becoming in
terested in the game.
After luncheon the princess came to
Miss Baxter, who was seated at her
desk, and handed her a letter.
'"There is an invitation from the
Duchess Of Chiselhurst for grand ball
she is shortly to give. 1t is to be very
swell affair, but l don't care enough
for such things to go all the way to
England to enjoy them. Would you
therefore send her grace my regretss"
II will do so at once.
At that moment there came q meg
senger from the prince asking Miss
Baxter to meet him in the library. The
girl glanced up at the princess "Have
| your permission TO go2" she said.
The princess looked at her steadily
for moment. just the faintest suspi-
cion Of frown on her fair brow.
II do not suppose you need my per-
mission. . Her highncss spoke with slow
elaboration. "My husband condescends
to take considerable interest in you.
Passing along the corridor this morn
ing, heard your voices in most ami
mated conversation.
clad you sufficient interest in our
discussion to stop and listen to what we
said, Princess Won Steinheimer o.
"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. I think
am entitled to a months notice, or is
it only week'sf"
81 will pay You years salary or
two years, if that will content you.
have no wish to deal harshly with you,
but I desire you to leave at once, " said
the princess, who had little sense of
humor and thus thought the girl was
in earnest when she asked for notice
Miss Baxter laughed merrily and re-
piled when she was able to control her
mirth. 81 do hate to leave the castle
just when things were becoming inter
esting. Still don't suppose / shall need
to go away in spite of your dismissal.
for the prince this morning offered me
ten times the amount of money you are
paying.
Ibid her
''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. / am just dy-
ing to meet him, for / know he has
something most interesting to tell me.
Don't you think yourself, princess, that
a man acts rather like fool when he is
deeply in lover
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 q
telegraph message in his hand.
"You are a most wonderful young
woman" he said; 'sread that"
81 have been told so by more observ-
ing men than you, Prince Won Steinhei-
mer, . said the girl. taking the tele-
gram. It was from the manager Of the
bank in Vienna, and it ran: Especial
messenger leaves with package by the
Meran express tonight !"
"Just as I thought, said Miss Jen-
ME. "The diamonds never left the bank.
l suppose those idiots of servants which
the princess has round her didn't know
what they took away from Vienna and
what they left. Then, when the dia-
monds were missing, they completely
lost their heads-not that any one in
the castle has much wits to spare. I
never saw such an incompetent lot"
The prince laughed.
''You think, perhaps, have not wits
enough to see that my wife cares for
me. Is that it Isfhat why you gave
me my own letters2''
ooh, you are well matedl 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.
care you not fattering yourself
somewhat. young ladys'
r L II