The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-01-31
NUMBER lo.j

to deliver it up or to be subjected to
thorough examination"
She gasped with indignation. What
an idiot she had been to bctray her
self to stranger!
With blazing countenance, but a
dignity that impressed even the hard
ened oficial, she retired and unwound
The dainty lace she had SO carefully
concealed about the upper part of her
person. II was silently confscated
and q 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 glancins 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 50
neatly tricked her. He had an apollo
gedc air.
DO not presume to speak to me-"
\ she exclaimed hotly. you have done
all the evil you can l wish you were
gentleman. that 1t 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
lieye me, think can dispel the mean
every right to entertain. You told me
yOu AAd scrap Of lace; not much.
bat choice Around my legs-pardon
me for abiding to them-are a hum
dred yards Of q very expensive lace.
Not that alone. but there is a senti-
mental reason attaching to its safe
delivery by me which would have
made its seizure the keenest disap-
poiptmept, The officer showed such q
suspIcious and impIacable attitude that
I saved my lace at the cost Of yours. l
shall be glad to give you as-Wuch Of
this az you lost-you said you had
only 4 scrap'-and defray all expense
YOU were put to-"
The lady was somewhat modified by
this respectful and reasonable explana-
ton.
II said q scrap. 1t was really ten
yards. As a matter Of fact, it was ex-
ceedingly expensive"
He laughed heartily. "a mere baga-
telle. just so my friend is satisfied"
"Who IL your friendY' she inquired
impulsiyely.
aOh. pardon me! have sense Of
honor"
AZ soon as he arrived at his friends
in st. Petersburg he told him he had
been able to bring him only ninety
Ryards Of the lace he had specified
Prince Nurianoffsky laughingly said
that there was-no doubt that would be
enough. He unwound 1t with glecful
care from his guests legs and they
ehuckled over the duties that had been
dodged.
j When Thorwald was .fessing for
dipner that evening, the prince looked
IN On him and said with mock .solemni-
ty: "Ay aunt viii dine with US to-
uieht- Don't say q word about the
trick With the lace. Her husband Is at
the head Of the customs. and she would
be terribly scandalized. l don't know
: that Ste 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 it aud lhe duties"
Ttorwa.d smiiingly promised not to
, breathe q word about 1t.
IL When Prince Murianoffsky went to
J | the salon, his sister ran up to him and
| 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 q hundred yards, you know. and
Ar. Thorwald could only get ninety"
Just then the Countess x was an
t | bounced.
I Not q word about the smuggling.
; whispered Olga to Mr.. Thorwald, "be
fore Aunt Feodorovna. Mon Dieui Shs
. would be horrided."
Therwald nodded his head, and as ht
( turned his eyes to the redoubta blt
aunt who was entering the room in 3
magnificent toilet he recognized hf'
companion in crime of the railway. Sh'
4 gave half start as he was presented
to her, but Instantly rallied and. fxinf
] her bright eyes on him, said meaning
ly, 81 am glad to know you, Mr.. Thor
, | Wald."
D As he was taking her into dinner sh'
put up her fan and whispered impres
sively:
r Not a syllable about the lace! The!
: | would be awfully scandalized."
: mot q word. countess" murmuret
a Thorwald. ''Only-my lace was 70
t your niece too"