Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1902-03-08
FROSTBURG, Md, SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1902.

an lulOt Sne nau Deen 10 btlTdA IltI'
self to Il stranger.
With Il blazing countenancc, but
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 cOntiScatcd
and Il stiff fine imposed, which she
paid without half the regret she felt
at parting with her precious lace. The
OdiouS informer was walking about OH
the platform with an air of conscious
rcctitude and carefully ahStained from
even glancing in her direction.
The train had gone some miles on the
journey toward st. Petersburg. Some
one paused ut her side. She looked up
and beheld Tie young man who had so
neatly trickcd her. He had an apollo
getc air.
"Do not presume to speak to me-"
she exclaimed hotly. You have done
all the evil you can. | wish YOU were
a gentleman, that it might be possible
to make you feel the contempt you de
serve"
MADAME" he said very gently, Il
only ask oac word of explanation. Be
licve 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 lcGs-Eardon
me for alluding to thcm--arc Il hun
drcI; yards of Il very expensive lace.
Not that alone. but there is Il Senti-
mental reason attaching to its safe
delivery by me which would have
made its seizure the kCcncSt diSap-
pointment. The officer showed such
suspicious ana implacable 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 II Scrap-and defray all expense
you We're put to-
The lady was somewhat Modified by
this respectful and reasonable cNplana-
ton.
Il said scrap. 1t was really ten
Yards AS Il matter of fact, it was cX-
ceedlngly expensive"
tclle. Just so my friend is satisfied
"Who is your friend?" she inquired
impulSivcly.
"Oh. pardon me! | have 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 Murianolfsky laughingly said
that there was no doubt that would be
enough. He unwound it with glccful
care from his guests legs and they
chucklcd over the duties that had been
lodged.
When Thorwald was dressing for
dinner that evening. the prince looked
in on him and said with mock SOlemni-
ty: "My aunt will dine with us to-
night. Don't say word about the
trick with the lace. Her husband is at
the head of the customs, and she would
be terribly scandalZrd. don't know
that she would not feel constrained to
report it, although she is so fond of
Olga that she would not like to spoil
her wedding present, and she knows
couldn't comfortably afford the money
for it and the duties
Thorwald smilngly promised not to
breathe word about it.
When Prince MurianollSky went to
the salon, his sister ran up to him and
exclaimed!
Isn't it odd, Aunt Fcodorovna has
sent me some lace, and it Is just the
same kind you got for me! And |
measured it, and it just makes a hun
drcd yards with the other. You tried
to get hundred yards, you know, and
Mr.. Thorwald could only get ninety
Just then the Countess y. was an
nounced.
'Not word about the smuggling"
whispered Olga to Mr.. Thorwald, be
fore Aunt Fcodorovna. Mon Dicu. She
would be Mortified"
ThorWald nodded his head, and as he
turned his eyes to the redoubtable
aunt who was entering the room in Il
magnificent toilet he recognized his
companion in crime of the railway. She
gave Il half start as he was presented
to her, but instantly rallied and, fixing
her bright eyes on him, said meaning
ly, Il am glad to know you, Mr.. Thor
wald."
As he was taking her into dinner she
put up her fan and whispered impress
sively:
Not a syllable about the lace! They
would be awfully scandalZed."
Not Il word. countess" murmured
Thorwald. 'Only-my lace was for
your niece too"