The San Francisco call., 1904-08-07

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them for this great person or that,
Esther was very willing to be faith
full listener, and TO hide herself from
observation. If that were possible. She
had. indeed, just congratulated herself
that they would escape with the merest
recognition, when she observed her
companion flush suddenly, whether
with surprise or pleasure she could not
tell; and Immediately afterward
young man, dressed as other idlers
about him. but remarkable even in
their company. stepped up to the car
riage and held out his hand like one
well pleased at an unexpected recog-
milton.
"Mademoiselle julia" he cried, "is it
really Mademoiselle 9una7"
Julia had turned away for mo-
ment, as though she did not wish to
be seen. but when the young man thus
addressed her. she turned toward him.
and answering in French she said:
oh. your Highnessl-can it really
be you in London"
The newcomer laughed good-humor-
edly. and. leaning upon the dashboard
II the carriage, he fixed his eyes not
upon Julia, but upon Esther by her
side She. on her part. tried to avoid
his glance and to appear preoccupied;
but something in the face attracted
her. and she discovered herself. TO her
annoyance, staring at him continually.
Yes" he went on, still in French,
but so slowly that she could under
stand him without difficulty, yes,
am in London, mademoiselle. You,
perhaps, viii know the reason why"
Julia did not respond Immediately to
this appeal She appeared to be much
distressed. and anxious to terminate
the interview.
4 do not know the reason, Prince"
she protested. and then she added, Il
am sure my brother is no wiser"
The young mans face cfouded at the
words, and he could not conceal the
embarrassment which her answer put
upon him.
4 thought your brother would have
written before" he continued almost
reproachfuny; but there is some ex-
PLANTATION, no doubt. If the Doctor
would care to make it to me. 1 am at
Claridge's Hotel Please take my mes
sage TO him, mademoiselle; it would be
in three words-'The Prince regrets
Can you remember that-'The Prince
regrets?'"
Julias face regained some of its lost
her confidence.
You cannot regret as he regrets,
Highness. / am afraid it is all too late
now-the past has made The future.
But I shall deliver the message-oh.
yes. it -sould be 'ust TO you both"
She drew herself up with a dignity
which astonished Esther not a little:
while the Prince-for thus he mad bSen
addressed-hesitating for a few min
utes, turned to Esther at last and said:
Pray present me to your charming
companion"
Julia had forgotten even that she had
a companion. and she started at the
mention Of her name.
How rude of mellow very rudel
OF course, / will present her. This is
my friend, Miss Venn-Esther. dear.
His Highness. the Prince of Cadi."
Esther had never been so troubled
in all her life. She did not know what
to say. what to do. She was not sure
whether she should offer her hand or
withhold it. Very wisely, therefore,
she said nothing, and the Prince, after
a few commonplace remarks, bowed
and withdrew. Julia at once ordered
the coachman to return. and they drove
away rapidly toward Regents Park.
1t was evident to Esther that her
friend was greatly troubled. The meet
ing had quite upset her. She admitted
as much by and by.
This will be very unpleasant news
for the Doctor. my dear. He has
dreaded something of this kind ever
since ne came to London. You must,
like a good girl, just go away to your
own room when I tell him. He and the
Prince were old friends, child. They
quarreled a year ago; 1 have never
known why, but 1 am sure my brother
was not in the wrong. You can i'm
agine how much it grieves him. 1 am
trembling like child at the thought Of
telling him"
Esther saw that IT was true; and she
was very glad when the carriage en-
tered the drive of their house, and the
doors once more closed upon her. The
butler said that his master was in the
study. and Julia went there at once;
while Esther ran up to her own room,
and finding Mouton, her dog, waiting
wistfully by the window, she sat down
in low chair and took him upon her
knees.
''Oh, my pet, what strange things
are happening TO u.s." she said, in her
childishly philosophical way. Where