The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1904-09-22
A, mldulght-Ia twenty minutes.

want 20 be the frat TO make my bow.
The two men separated. The meudicsut
2 WAS about TO take up his tray and bin The
Q crowd when his attention was attracted
. by a tall monk who was leaning against
: pillar a few yards away. The monks
J. costume Was severe enoush-s coarse
+. brown cloak and hood-but II left bis feet
] exposed The mondcant looked thought.
fully at the shoes, with their silver buckles.
f, he drew little nearer to the monk.
Father, he mumtled, give me your bless
ing.
: The monk wore mask, but his eyes
through The spef,ures seemed unusually
J bright, Ny blessipg, be repeated slowly,
fancy, Mr.. Michael Lepsrgc, that my
blessing would be Of little profit to you.
The mendleant laughed.
You are u jlst, he protested. can as.
! sure you that ! sm your sincere well-wish'
sr, both for your own sake and your charm.
Ing niie's. ! am so much your well-aish-
or that can assure you am delighted TO
see ytu here tonight ! heard rumor
some here that you were likely to be an
absentee.
am an absentee, Stourton declared
calmly. do not propose to unmstk.
So 0rmIdolf ard the others declare.
doubt them all, ard you. The taiug is es-
tsblishet ualcss you have explicit In
stfuctions to the contrary, should recomg
ment you to make your bow.
Stourton turned away. He was dying
to take this wiz,ned up little man By the
shoulders and shake him.
0ne docs not discuss these things, he re-
marked.
The memo ,ant laughed stf,ly as he hob
bled away into the crowd.
My regards to her ladyship he called
out as be disappeared.
Midnight was striking. Stourton saw
the general move forward toward the dais,
aud muttered most unmonklike curse un-
der his breath. At that moment servant
approached him.
Monsieuris called up on the telephone,
he whispered. This way.
Stourton hurried through the rooms,
now almost deserted by reason Of the rush
to the dsis. The servant, who had good
reason 20 know him, kept by his side.
One calls monsieur from a great distance
he explained. The call Is transferred from
his house.
Stourton nodded
You will keep Silent, he faid with mean
Ing lock
Monsieur may rest assured, the man de-
csred earn, SLY II silence Is good Tor
him, his ge crosity has assured 1t. The
telephone II here.
Stourton Wa Ia bare loohil < ro.m,
furnished like an Office, and close to the
servants quarters. He took up the receiv-
or and weak voice hailed him.
Sir Ronald.
Hnllo.
A cablegram-here.
Where are you?
Paultor-Vienna. asked for corfi,ma-
tion any message to you here. Have you
received anyf
None.
The messages are withheld at your end
Listen. Laturnat.
Good.
Is 1t In time?
Just. Goodbye.
There was rattle along the wires, and
Stourton threw down the receiver. ID
half doz.n strides he was outside the
door. In less than thirty seconds he was
In the great hall. He tore oil bis monks
dress and pressed forward The crowd,
who were forming in line to pay their
respects to Prince Phillip, knew him by
sight and gave way at once. He mounted
the steps on the dais, where his coming
caused Immediate confusion. Hirshheld
and Ofmsdors, who were talking earnestly
to the Pfiuce, saw him with amazement.
There was slight inclination among those
who stood around the royal party to i'm
pede bis progress, but S.ourton ignored 1t.
He made his way at once to the Prince,
who for the moment seemed little doubt.
iul how to receive him.
Your Hghnesa, Stourton aaid, bowlng
low, may ask you to believe that my felici-
tations, though late are none the less sim
ceres At the moment Of unmssking re-
ceived call to the telephone, which could
not refuse to answer.
Your explanation is sunl Client, Sir Ronald
the Prince said, most cordially. | trust
that Lady Stourton progresses favorably.
am thankful to say that the doctors
last report is entirely favorable, Stourton
regret that my clumsy driv-
ing deprived her OF the pleasure Of accom-
pspylng me here this evening.
We shall hope that there may be many 4
more opportunities Of welcoming our
friends here, the Prince faid. f.,
Your Hlghnesa IL too kind, Stourton an. /
swered. But must not forget the mes :
sages with with ] am charged. II your Q
Highness--
The PRICE took him by the arm. :
We will drink glass Of wine together, a
be said. 1
That man, ofnsdorf remarked to Hirsf
Held. Ia either fool Or ;or an Englishman r
"a genius. 2
0
Oa his way out al hour later, S.ourton J,
'elt himsels touched on the arm. Michael
Lepsrze besmed upon him.
have underestimated you. Next time,
ny dear Ronald, | prtmlse you little
more excitement.
Ronald shrugged hls shoulders. Behind
lin the band was paying the Eaglish na. !,
i1nal anthem. The Pflnce's gracious
words were still ringing Ia bis ears. Scarce
y mile away Esther was anIiously walt