The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1904-09-22
rHg AMBASSADORS DILEMMA

( Sir II maid ssourion, the recently appolt
Cd Bfillsh Ambassador 20 the Kingdom G
Tbeos was apparently nsalng ispost no
altogether one Of roses. He sat before b
study table, heavy frown up1n his fore
head, locking steadily ou, of the window
away aerou the p!eiurtqse eitr, 10 wher
tie great mountains sou,hward topped III
skies Below him, on his dess, wtsa thor
dispatch Aad an unlocked cipher book, ul
on neither CT which did he seem TO be be
tioNifg The lsas. attention. Nor oil h
ieem TO b. asdirg any particular intpiia
| liou 10 the sounds Of nj Icing which iron
time 10 lime found lh,ir way 10 througi
the open wlndow from the streets sns
tboroughfares below. A few fqaares swsl
the cathedral bells we're Ginning. From
the great slone barracks on the top OF th'
hill came the occasional booming Of cannon
Slourton neither listened TO these thing
nor watched The crowds OF people 10 holi
day attire who thronatd The streets below
He had the appearance OF msn disturbed
by perple1iug thoughts.
The door was presently opened. Lady
S.ourton came and ltaned over his shoul
der.
wellf che asked.
His face lighted little as he turned to
look a, her. Lady s.ourton had ulually
that ~ ~ pnnn npnplp
had despatch an hour ago, he said,
tsppiug the paper In front Of him with his
for, 9ger. We are not TO attend the ball
this evening,
Ronald
He shrugged his shoulders.
NY instructions are clear enough, he
said. We are not TO attend the ball or to
cammit ourselves 10 any formal recognition
OF Philip of sasinsham. must act upon
them.
The trouble In his face was rejected
upon hers.
1t Ia surely mistaken policy, che said.
You will be the only absentee, and Philip
OF Ssxlngham is not the man to forget.
II is true, he agreed. Oar position here
will be almost untenable, and, politically
speaking, we shall simply put ourselves
out Of the running. Phillip Of Saxlngham
Is the only man who can save this country
from revolution and subsequent partition.
II the order Of his coming to the throne
is little irregular, the circumstances justi-
fed 1t. Russia, Austria and Germany will
be represented tonight, and | believe,
France. We are going to commit political
suicide.
Lord Sendon must be mad Esther ex-
claimed, frowning. However, SO far as !
am concerned, you have nothing to worry
about. You cannot be blamed for obeyipg
1t was large room and the door was
fast closed. Nevertheless, Stoufton glsnc'
ed around uneasily and dropped his voice
as he continued.
Esther, he said, !; sounds foolish, but, to
tell you the truth, am most uncomfortable
about this affair. My dispatch home strong
ly commended the Saxingham cause. |
stated that all the powers would probably
extend their recognition to him. almost
tot Il for granted that should be empow.
cred to attend the ball tonight and the coro
nation tomorrow. | looked upon 1t as 3
certainty. do lot understand this dis
patch.
The cipher is all right? she asked quick.
ly.
1t is in perfect order, he answered, ex
cept that the May cipher Is used instead
OF the June, and this is the first Of June.
Is that very unusual? she asked.
hsve known It TO happen before, he ad-
mitted, once only. ] dare not dscredit
the cable for this reason alone. To tell
you the truth, Esther, there Is something
else which Is worrying me. Whom do you
thing saw in Theos yesterday:
have no idea.
Leparge. Not only that, but he was
coming out OF the Russian Embassy, and
he tried his best 20 avoid me. Now, | may
be supersti.ioua, Esther, but, II there Is one
person In this world OF whom ] have
wholesome dresd, 1t Is Michael Leparge.
I'm not SURPRISED, his wife answered.
The old reprobatel Whatever can he be
ioiug in yheos, Ronald!
Exactly, what should like to know my
self, Steurton answered. IL seems rather
dIo.ic, but every time look at my mex.
plicsble instructions / think Of him. He
Is not OILY a poll ical adventurer Of the
worst typ, but he Ia positive Anglo
mai lac
There wss discreet tap at the door.
.ourtcn's feivant entered.
Will llyourexc-ilarcy receive Count Ofms-
lori he iiqlifed respectfully.
BY all mcsns, $ ourlon answered. Let
ne zee you asAia bti)re you 20 out, Esther,
,e sdded hastily.
She noddcdld ard iurred away. owe
10Th you ard your husband a Thousand
Ipologies. To have disturbed my friend
n his diplomatic lsbors WAS contingency
which was prepared to face, but II have
hortcncd your visit to hin am afraid
nay not hope for forgiveness.
On the contrary, she answered, sui irg
,rstiously, ] iLirk that you will fnd my
husband more disposed br conversation
With you than idling with me.
Ii is Incredible, the Russian declared
.rsvely. Since have lad the good fortune
. see you, may inquire In what costume
'ou will honor the ball to-riahlf
Esther hesitsted for the merest fraction
!. s,cord.
Count, shs fsid, am hstobished at your
question DJn't you know that the two
gsstlons which you may never ask wo-
pan are her sge and the drest--she 10 going
o wear.
She swept away with ii.tle farewell
od. The Rustlsn bowed low, TO hide the