Smyrna times., 1902-02-05

10 deliver Sc up or to be subjected to a
thorough examination"
She gasped with indignation. What
an idiot she had been to betray her
self to a stranger!
With q blazing cOuntenance, but a
dignity that impressed even the hard
ened official, she retired and unwOund
the dainty lace she had so carefully
concealed about the upper part of her
person. 1t was silently cOnfiscated
and a stiff fine imposed, which she
paid without half the regret she felt
at parting with her precious lace. The
OdiouS infOrmer was walking about on
the platform with an air of conscious
rectitude and carefully abstained from
even glancing in her direction.
The train had gone some miles on the
journey toward st. Petersburg. Some
one paused at her side She looked up
and beheld the young man who had so
neatly tricked her. He had an apollo
getic air.
"DO not presume to speak to me-"
she exclaimed hotly. You have done |
all the evil you can. l wish you were !
gentlemen, that it might be possible |
to make you feel the contempt you de-
serve"
Madame" he said very gently, Il
only ask one word of explanation. Be
lieve me, think | can dispel the mean
opinion of me which admit you have
every right to entertain. You told me
you had Il scrap of lace; not much,
but choice Around my legs-pardOn
me for alluding to them-are hun
dred yards of a very expensive lace.
Not that alone, but there is senti-
mental reason attaching to it's safe
delivery by me which would have
made its seizure the keenest disap-
pointment. The officer showed such
suspicious and impacabe attitude that
saved my lace at the cost of yours.
shall be glad to give you as much of
this as YOU lOst-yOu said you had
only Il scrap'-and defray all expense
you were put to-"
The lady was somewhat Modified by
this respectful and reasonable explana-
ton.
Il said a scrap 1t was really ten
yards. AS matter of fact, it was eX-
ceedingly expensive"
He laughed heartily. "a mere baga-
telle. Just 50 my friend is satisfied"
"Who is your friend?' she inquired
impulsively.
"Oh. pardon me! have a sense OF
honor"
AS soon as he arrived at his friends
in st. Petersburg he told him he had
been able to bring him only ninety
yards of the lace he had specified
Prince Murianoffsky laughingly said
that there was no doubt that would be
enough. lie unwound it with gleefu
care from his guests legs and they
chucklcd over the duties that had beer
lodged.
When Thorwald was dressing fol
dinner that evening, the prince looked
in on him and said with mock solemn
| ty: MY aunt will dine with us to
l night. Don't say n word about th
Il trick with the lace. Her husband is a
the head of the customs. and she woul'
be terribly scandalized. l don't know
1r that she would not feel constrained t
r report it, although she is so fond o
Of Olga that she would not like to spO
her wedding present. and she knows
y couldn't comfortably afford the none
lie for it and the duties"
a. Thorwald smilingly promised not
IS breathe a word about it.
IN When Prince Murianoffsky went
Is the salon, his sister ran up to him an
exclaimed:
to isn't it odd, Aunt FeodOrovna ha
loon ond II iC inst n
~ same kind you got for me! And
y. measured it, and it just makes hui
be dred yards with the other. You trie
lie to get hundred yards, you know. ar
mt Mr.. Thorwald could only get ninety"
st Just then the Countess y. was a
Ot nounced.
l Not a word about the smuggling
ng whispered Olga to Mr.. ThOrwald, "b
fore Aunt Feodorovna. Mon Dieu! 81
gs would be Mortified"
% Thorwald nodded his head, and as
int turned his eyes to the redoubtab
aunt who was entering the room in
magnificent toilet he recognized b
lat companion in crime of the railway. S
an gave a half start as he was present.
to her, but instantly rallied and, fixi
led her bright eyes on him, said meanin
ly, 81 am glad to know you, Mr.. Th'
a wald."
Do As he was taking her into dinner S
put up her fan and whispered impr
sively:
Dur "Not a syllable about the lace! Th
ely would be awfully scandalized."
ug- 'Not a word, countess" murmuI
|
but your niece too
ain --
in ,.,