The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-02-21

recutude ana carefully abStalned 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 behcld the young man who had 50
neatly triclled 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
a gentleman, that it might be possible
to make you Feel the contempt you de-
serve"
Madame" he said very gently, 81
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 a scrap of lace; not much,
but choice Around my legs-pardon
me for abiding to them-are a hun
dred 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 a
suspicious and implacabe 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 "A scrap'-and defray all expense
you were put to-"
The lady was somewhat Modified by
this respectful and reasonable explana-
ton.
Il said scrap. 1t was really ten
yards. AS matter of fact, it was ex-
ceedlngly expensive"
He laughed heartily. a mere baga-
telle. Just so my friend is satisfied"
"Who is your friendY she inquired
impulsively.
"Oh, pardon me! l 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. He unwound it with gleeful
care from his guests legs and 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 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 scandalizcd. | 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 Il word about it.
When Prince Murianoffsky went to
the salon, his sister ran up to him and
exclaimed:
Isn't it odd! Aunt Feodorovna has
sent me some lace. and it is just the
same kind you got for me! And |
McdSuIeu II, anu IL just uldheS IL nun
dred 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 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:
mot a syllable about the lace! They
would be awfully scandalized."
Not a word. countess" murmured
Thorwald. "Only-my lace was for
your niece too"