The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-05-18

should have delighted in, - wrote her
highness. "And then, if had known,
/ should not have sent that unlucky
telegram. II serves you right, and I am
glad you had 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
thing7 A letter came from London the
day before yours arrived, and it be-
wildered me dreadfully at first. Don
Stirling, whom / used to know in
Washington Ga conceited young fellow
he was then; hope he has improved
since), wrote to say that he had met
girl at the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball
who had a letter inviting the Princess
Won Steinheimer to the festivity. He
thought at first she was the princess
(Which is very complimentary to each
of us), but found later that she wasn't.
Now, he wants to know, you know, and
thinks quite reasonably, that must
have some linking who that girl was,
and he begs me, by our old friendship,
etc. He is nice young man. if trihe
confident (these young diplomatists
verse in their hands). and would like
to oblige him, but 1 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 I suppose
he's stationed there now. By the way,
how did he get your glove, or is that
merely brag on his part? He says that
it 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. Petersburg7'
In reply to this Jennie sent 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
trail 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
pened; she was compelled to sacrifice
the glove to release her hand. He had
been very kind in helping her to escape
from 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 it. A few days later
came further communication from the
princess.
81 have puzzled our young man quite
eHectually, think, clever as he i'm
AGNES himself to be. I wrote him
semi-indignant letter to st. Petersburg
and said l 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
sosthe temptation to further cozen him
was irresistible. Am l not good actress
asked him. went on to say, with
some show of anger, that quiet firta-
ton in the gallery was all very we'll 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 I would deny hav-
ing either owned or worn them I
should like to see Don's amazed look
when the other glove drops out of my
letter, which was bulky package and
! cost ever go much in postage. I think
the sending Of the glove was an inspira-
ton. 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 Donal from her mind, even il
she could have accomplished this task
unimpeded. There shortly arrived q
brief note from the princess. inclosing
letter the young diplomatist at ST.
Petersburg had written.
tDear Princess Git ran), am very
much obliged to you for the companion
glove, as am thus enabled to keep
one and use the other as clew. 1
see you not only know who the mys-
terious young lady is. but that you
have since met her, or at least have
been in correspondence with her. If the
glove does not lead me to the hand. I
shall pay visit to you in the hope that
you will atone for your present cruelty
by telling me where to find the owner
Of both glove and hand.
With regard to this note the princess
had written: "Don Is not such fool
as took him to be. He must have i'm
proved during the last few years. I
| wish you would write and tell me ex-
actly what he said to you that evening.