Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-09-18
a Diplomatic
Affair ~ ~
90 5000 ocOo 5000 occo ocnn,

/ OhaAt
out bundle of cuttings from rival
journals to the man before him.
Lord Lomax, an important in
dividual in the office of the news
paper referred to, inasmuch as his
money had brought about the Jour
naPs birth and subsequent exist
ence, took the cuttings and glanced
through them contemptuouslv.
They told of rumored breach in
the marriage contract valid between
the Princess Sophy of the British
royal family and Prince Gustav of
Talmania, union which, if brought
about, would save Europe from be-
ing plunged into the sanguinary
campaign that was so nearly pend
ing.
81 don't wish any journal with
which Pm concerned to publish false
reports" he said specifically as he
pitched the cuttings upon the edi-
tors desk.
"Of course not, /" replied the other.
but what if they are true ?"
"You mean that we ought to put
in something about it, then ?"
What we publish must be the
whole truth and nothing but the
truth. The authorities apparently
know nothing, or, If they do, their
lips are sealed. But, if we could get
an exclusive official report, think
what a coup it would bep'
Lomax leaned against the fire
place and twirled his mustache in
silence. "Suppose-I-could-ge
-an-ofiicial-report," he drawled
at length
"Lomax, you're not in earnest ?"
"Never was more so in my life.
It's now midday / shall be back
long before you go to press. But
don't depend on my luck. It's
deuced bad generally. Ta-ta~
He made his way down stairs into
the street The driver of a hanson
was walking his steed slowly along,
and Lomax hailed him. Giving a
direction which made the jehu open
his eyes, he jumped in, and the cab
started.
"What a fool l wasl" he muttered.
"Once the successful sutton of Hilda
Grantham, maid in waiting to the
princess whose love affairs the pa
pers are impertinent enough to dis
cuss; might have been so now and
found out all l want to know with
out any trouble if hadn't made an
ass of myself thinking 1 was in love
with that wretched woman, Con-
stance Barring. She threw me over,
and between the two stools-well,
lve fallen mighty heavily to the
ground. Hilda-sweet name and
still sweeter owner-it is you alone
l love Z"
Thus soliloquizing, he failed to
notice that the cab had drawn up
before some massive wrought iron
gates, and not until the driver had
lifted up the shutter and inquired if
he intended to get out did he realize
that he had reached his destination.
The Princess Sophy and her ia
vorite maid in waiting, the Hon.
Miss Hilda Grantham, were walking
side by side down the long avenue OF
stately elms in a secluded quarter of
the palace grounds.
"Have you ever been in love,
Hilda?" asked the princess.
eyes, but it was long time ago,
madame" replied Hilda, endeavor-
ing to conceal the bushes that suf-
fused her cheeks.
"And do You love him now, or
have you quarreled?"
eyes, we quarreled."
ooh, how charmingw broke in
the princess. ''Now / can tell you
everything. II have quarreled
with Gustav and shall not marry
himp"
The other stopped short in amaze
ment. "But the preparations for
the wedding-no one knows -
mo, Hilda, beyond ourselves no
one is aware that we have parted,
probably for everl" A little sob
caught the princess throat, but she
continued. owe had a few words
the other day, and he lost his tenn
per and so did /. This morning I've
received a note from him telling me
that he is leaving the Continental
hotel tomorrow for Paris, whence
he will write and make the necessary
explanations to stop the prepare
lions for our marriage. That was
all not a word of farewell"
Hilda grasped the speakers arm
and looked nervously into her tear
stained face. 'But has he reckoned
the consequences-pohtically?" she
whispered.
"You mean that war must ensue |?
Yes, I'm afraid of that too. And
I love him very, very much, Hilda.
would willingly go half way if he
would come the other half and so
end the quarrel. We are both
proud, yet his pride is greater than
minew