Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-08-01
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That Is literally true"

OIL, remarked Merrlck, carelesSly.
Perhaps there were others on this
early train for the Sou>h who might
interest our two friends did they but
know of their presence.
The afternoon dragged.
there were numerous stops at places
OF Importance, and, cramped by mac
ton, our friends found themselves
compelled to step out in order to
stretch their limbs.
Jones had rather dreaded this, fear
ing lest his comrade should in some
manner, he knew not just how. fall
under the malign influence of the ad-
ventures.
Ot course she discovered them, and
Mark was of necessity compelled to
obey the white hand that imperiously
beckoned him to the open window,
where milady reigned supreme, with
maid, and accompanied by the dig
nit1ed old officer General MERCER had
appointed to see her over the border in
safety.
1t was only for few minutes, and
OF course she begged him to take ad-
vantage Of the abundance of room in
her compartment, so that she might
entertain him during the long journey
with some of the novel things she had
experienced.
Merrick was equal to the emergency,
and offered as an excuse that he and
MS friend were engaged upon a match
IN their own carriage, which his alb
sence would break up.
At least one pair of eyes had noted
his warm reception by the dainty and
v1Vacious woman who leaned from the
window OF the first-class carriage, and
beamed upon him with such an ardent
gaze.
1t was from the very compartment
adjoining the one our friends occupied
that this gentle eavesdropper-if one
could dare bestow so harsh name
upon so lovely little creature as the
South African heiress-was enabled to
observe without being herself seen,
and the fact that she would thus stoop
to a procedure that her soul must
nave abhorred, was positive evidence
OF an interest in the young man of far
more than ordinary intensity.
Nor could the fact that on the pre-
vious night he had carried her from
the burning hotel at the risk of his
own life wholly explain her eagerness
to fasten her eyes upon his face.
Whatever emotions stirred Con-
lance Dare, as she crouched there. and
holding her breath, peeped from be-
hind the half-drawn curtain, she made
| no move toward addressing Mark,
even when he passed within yard
Of her. sauntering back to his own
| compartment when the cries of the
guards gave warning that the south
ern train was about to pull out
! Jones followed him-Jones who had
remained on guard and watched it all.
1t required keen eyes like those of
Jones to discover that the wonderful
| princess meant business for perhaps
| the first time in her life-that she had
conceived passion for the daring
young fellow who had chased her run
away motor on wheel and succeed
ed in saving her spill that might at
least have risked marring the beauty
| which was her capital.
And, knowing this, shrewd Jones
feared for his friend. though he hardly
knew himself in what way danger
could come if Mark continued in the
same frame of mind as at present.
WELL" he said, lighting a cigar
lets drop the princess for the pres
ent. We have other fish to fry, that
are good enough for the Joneses.
While You snapped glances with that
enchantress, I locked around
"And from your tone, imagine you
| discovered something"
Jones thrust his thumbs into the
armhQles of his vest, as he said, in q
dramatic whisper:
"Only this-that our dear Count
Leon and his yellow-topped Russian
bear occupy the next compartment to
| the rear!''
When Jones made his astonishing
announcement Merrick did not appear
shocked. ...
HIM" was the way in which he
commented upon the matter, they are
very affectionate to snuggle up to us
that way"
YES" returned Jones, dryly, 1--WE
quite won their hearts by the warm
reception we gave the brethren at the
monastery meeting"
Mark laughed in a cynical way.
seriously speaking, have you any
idea as to what is in the wind?"
Jones shook his wise old head in the
negative.
Heaven only knows"
when do we reach Monte Carlo?"
"Bless me if I can say. There are
delays on the way, l was told. Per-
haps twelve or fifteen hours will see
us at Nice which is close to Monte
Carlo" -.
"That means some riding at night"
"Undoubtedly.'
well, depend upon it. whatever
scheme they may arrange, if any, will
be brought to a head while darkness
covers the earth"
"You voice my opinion, my dear
boy"
Since we are agreed on that point,
let's draw lots to see who shall stand
the first watch, and let the other have
nap. I'm drowsy after that abom-
Unable luncheon we had"
Thus the afternoon wore on.
The two friends stood watch and
watch" while the train doomed on to-
ward the romantic shores of the grand
Mediterranean, where fashion at Nice
and along the Riviera came in contact