Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-09-18

'o0' one Pldceo ner hand In her
bosom and produced little gold
iocket, which she unfastened and
handed to her companion. "He
once gave me this, and said II /
would return it TO him should we
ever quarrel he would forgive me
anything"
"A gentleman TO see you, ma
dame" said a well groomed footman
as he stood before Hilda.
"a gentleman? What's his
name?"
He gave in his card, but does not
wish his name to be disclosed, ma
dame. He says he knows you, and
Will not keep YOU five minutes"
You can go, Hilda, if you want
to, said the princess, who had over
heard the conversation.
With word of thanks she bur
ried up the path. Involuntarily she
thrust the princess locket into her
pocket. Once on the threshold of
the chamber into which the stranger
had been shown she paused, then
turned the handle and went in.
The tall, athletic form standing
gazing out of the window caused her
heart to beat wildly and a hitherto
unknown suspicion to flash across
her brain.
"Hil-Miss Granthamw
Lord Lomax-youw
eyes, like the proverbial bad
penny, 1 have turned UP again." she
said, vainly striving to grasp some
thing more than the mere finger tips
she extended to him. perhaps YOU
wonder what has brought me hereP"
"Y es, indeed I do"
"Well, we parted the best of
friends, didn't WEI"
"Did we ?"
"Of course we did. NY conduct
toward YOU was somewhat strange. I
admit, but heaven knows I've been
punished for it, and am truly sorry.
If You cannot take me back into
your esteem, let us at least converse
as friends"
"Your conduct was hardly emble-
matte Of friendship, Lord Lomax."
"No, | was a fool. Let bygones
be bygones."
''Alay l ask to what I am indebted
for the pleasure of this visit?"
Certainly. RumOrs have gone
the rounds Of the press concerning
her royal highness' marriage"
Indeed"
"You know I'm connected with
the press. Could you, as an old
friend, if nothing more. give me
some official information ?"
"You wish to know what presents
have been received ?" she asked.
mo, no; you don't quite grasp my
meaning. 1t is said the princess
may have quarreled'-
Il understand your meaning. Lord
Lomas, but scarcely see that it re-
quires an answer. If you will be-
heve all the stories"-
She plunged her hand into her
pocket for her handkerchief and en-
countered the cold metal locket. In
an instant a series of thoughts rush
ed through her brain. The locket
could save a war and the loss of
thousands of lives. 1t could make
two people happy. Why shouldn't
it?
She walked to the window to dis
entangle this web of ideas. Lord
Lomax followed her with his eyes
and awaited the conclusion of her
sentence, which never came.
Remain here a moment, please"
was all she said and darted from the
room.
Once in the adjoining chamber
she sat down at writing table and,
taking a sheet. of note paper,
wrapped the locket in it, then placed
it in an envelope and sealed it with
the common seal. She added no
address, because the writing would
betray her. A moment later she
had rejoined Lomax.
81 will try to tell you all you want
to know at 8 o'clock tonight if you
will do something for me-" she said
in the tone of one who is striking a
bargain.
Certainly. What is it ?"
''Deliver this letter into the hands
of Prince Gustav Immediately. He
is staying at the Continental hotel.
l cannot tell you anything until he
has seen it."
81 understand your meaning, but
scarcely see that it requires an an
swer," he replied.
81 Will do what / can for you if
you will do the same for me-"
very good" he answered and
left her.
''Hilda, wherever can my locket
be? Have you seen it? l must
have left it on the seat in the sum-
mer house"
The princess cast aside the illus
trated paper at which she had been
looking and crossed over to her COM