The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-02-01
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The train had gone some miles on the
journey toward St Petersburg. Some
one paused at her side, She looked up
and behcld 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. wish sou were
a gentleman. that it might be possible
to make you feel the contempt you de
serve"
Madame" he said very gently. u
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 scrap Of lace; not much.
but choice Around my legs-pardon
me for abiding to them-are n hun
bred yards Of a very expensive lace.
Not that alone, but there is senti-
mental reason attaching to its safe
delivery by me which would have
made its seizure the keenest disap-
pointment The officer showed such Il
suspicious and implacable attitude That
| saved my lace at the cost OF yours. J
shall be glad to give you as much or
this as you lost-you said you had
only "a scrap'-and defray 81 eX%SiSe
you were put To-"
The lady was somewhat Modified by
this respectful and reasonable eXplana-
ton.
81 said scrap. 1t was really ten
Yards. As a matter OF fact, 1t was OK
ceedingly expensive"
He laughed heartily. ~ mere baga-
tele. Just so my friend is satisfied
"Who is your friendY she inquired
impulsively. =.
"Oh. pardon me- have a sense or
honor
As soon as he arrived at his friend :
in st. Petersburg he told him he had
been able to bring him only ninety
wards Of the lace he had specimen.
Prince Muranoffsky laughlngly SAID
that there was no doubt that would be
enough. lie unwound II with gleeful
care from his guests legs ana they
chuckled 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 solemn
ty: "My aunt will dine with us to-
night. Don't say a word about the
trick with the lace. Her husband Is at
the head of the customs. and she would
be terribly scandalized. | don't know
that she would not feel constrained to
report 1t, 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 il and the duties"
Thorwald smilingly promised not to
breathe a word about 1t.
When Prince Murianofsky went TO
the salon. his sister ran up to him aud
exclaimed:
isn't 1t odd. Aunt Feodorovna has
sent me some lace, and It Is just the
same kind you got FOR me! And !
measured 1t. and 1t just makes hun
dred yards with the other. You tried
TO get hundred yards, you know. and
Mr.. Thorwald could only get ninety"
lust then the Countess y. was an
nounced
Not a word about the smuggling
whispered Olga to Mr.. Thorwald, be
fore Aunt Feodorovna. Mon Dieu! She
would be Mortified"
Thorwald nodded his head, and as he
turned his eyes to the redoubtable
aunt who was entering the room In a
magnificent toilet he recognized his
companion In crime Of the railway. She
gave a half start as he was presented
to her, but instantly rallied and, fixing
her bright eyes on him. said meaning
ly. 81 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 scandalized."
"Not a word. countess" murmured
Thorwald "Only-my lace was for
your niece too"