The Norfolk weekly news. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1888-1900, 1900-08-23

a nervous little laugh bordering closely
on the hysterical. II was about to
make my way out by some private exit
if l could find one"
THAT would be impossible, and the
attempt might load to unexpected com
plications. l suggest that you take my
arm and that you bid farewell to her
grace, pleading fatigue as the reason
for your early departure. Then l will
see you to your carriage, and when /
return ! shall endeavor to get that I'M
lucky telegram from the duke by telling
him I should like to find out whether it
is II hoax or not. He will have forgotten
about it most likely in the morning.
Therefore all you have to do is to keep
up your courage for a few moments
longer until you are safe in your car
rage"
"You are very kind" she murmured,
with downcast Eyes.
"You are very clever. my princess,
but the odds against you were tremen-
dous. Some time you must tell me why
you risked it,
She made no reply, but took his arm,
and together they sauntered through
the rooms until they found the duchess,
when Jennie took her leave of the host
ess with a demure dignity that left
nothing to be desired. All went we'll
until they reached the head of the stair,
when the duke, an ominous frown on
his brow, hurried after them and said:
my lord, excuse me.
Lord Donal turned with an i'll con
cealed expression of Impotence, but he
was helpless, for he feared his host
might not have the good sense to avoid
a scene even in his own hall. Had it
been the duchess all would have been
well, for she was a lady of infinite tact,
but the duke, as he had said, was a
stupid man, who needed the constant
eye of his wife upon him to keep him
from laundering. The young man whis-
pered Keep right ON until You are in
your carriage. l shall ask my man here
to call it for you bnt please don't drive
away until | come"
A sign brought a serving man up the
stair.
''Call the carriage of the Princess
Won Steinheimer, said his master.
Then, as the lady descended the stair,
Lord Donal turned, with no very thank.
full feeling in his heart, TO hear what
his host had to say.
Lord Donal, the American embassa.
dor says that woman is not the Princess
Won Steinheimer, whom he has me,
several times in London. He cannot re
member her lame. Now, who is she,
and how did you come to meet herr"
my lord duke, 1t never occurred t.
me to question the identity Of guests
met under your hospitable roof. l knew
the princess five years ago in Washing
ton, before she was married. | have
not seen her in the interval, but unit
You showed me the Geographic message
there was no question in my mind re
garding her"
But the American ambassador il
positive"
Then he has more confidence in hi
eyesight than ! have. If such a ques
ton, like international difficulties. i
to be settled by the embassies, let u
refer il to Austria, who held a lont
conversation with the lady in my pres
ence. Your excellency, he continued
TO the Austrian ambassador, who wa
lowering neal waiting to speak to hi
host. my lord duke has some doub
that the lady who has just departed
the Princess o S~teinheimer. Yol
spoke with her and can therefore decid
with authority, for his lordship seem
disinclined to accept my testimony"
mot the Princess Nonsense know
her very we'll indeed, and a most charm
ing lady she is. hope 10 be her gues
again before many months are past"
There, my lord duke, you see every
thing is as it should be. If you will
give IN that stupid telegram, ! will
make some quiet inquiries about it
Meanwhile the less said the better.
will see the American ambassador an,