Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-06-21

grand looking man in his uniform.
Il should like to see it," said Alma,
with smile. 81 suppose l will have
the opportunity soon."
L have book with all the uniforms
OF Russia. Shall 1 get it?"
mo, never mind. Well. get 1T. It.
will serve to pass away few miser-
able moments
Marie brought little leather cover
ed book.
ut is Alexander's, mademoiselle.
He hopes for promotion and is study
Ing the fine uniform he will wear"
Alexander is noble and faithful. l
hope he will win his promotion and not
disgrace himself by assisting me-
He would die for you, mademoi
selle."
Alma turned the pages of the book.
Many of the. brilliant uniforms she
saw pictured were familiar to her.
The uniform prescribed for the in
spector general of prisons was gor-
geous affair, all gold lace. shiny boots.
a cap and a medal that hung from the
golden sash. She closed the book and
sank back in the chair with her eyes
closed. Instead of returning the book
Alma rose from her chair and placed 1t
in drawer.
II like to look at them, Marie" she
said. Il will keep the book awhile"
The approach Of the governors ball
in honor of the new inspector general
of prisons reused great interest. A
governors ball was always a grand
affair, but this one, coming at the close
of the fair, with so many notables from
all parts Of the east in Tiflis, was GER
tain to surpass in splendor any Of
its predecessors The bazaars brought
out their best goods and displayed
them to the best advantage. Women Of
all nations began feyerish shopping
and preparing. Officers Of the garrison,
Persian grandees, Chinese princes,
Turkish pashas, We'd with one another
in their efforts to do credit to this great
occasion. Alma seemed imbued with
the same spirit of rivalry. One day as
she and Marie were going out Jurnieff
stopped Marie.
Marie" he said, "what has brought
the great change over your mistress?
Heretofore she has been morose and
sad; now she is smiling and cheerful.
What has caused it? She acts like one
who knew that her lover had come to
see her"
Marie started. Did he know that AL
ma was aware Of the presence of Irons
in the prison?
"It is not that, think, Colonel Jur-
nieff, but that perhaps one is coming"
do you mean-you cannot mean the
prince?"
at may be, though Mile. Alma says
little to me. Is he not great officer?"
"He has a high and honorable posi-
ton. He is inspector general Of pris-
ons."
"Ah! That enlightens me, your ex-
cellency. know what she wanted it
for now"
Wanted what for?'
The book-the pictures of uniforms.
] saw her studying the uniform of the
inspector general Of prisons. She SEEM
ed pleased after that"
Jurnieff turned away.
what was there in the generals let
ter to produce this changer" he asked
himself. ct is remarkable. I can now
write to him that he is in a fair way
to have his dearest wish gratified. I
ought to be promoted myself If that
comes off,"
What did my uncle ask you, Ma
rie?" inquired Alma as the carriage
was being driven off,
HE had noticed that you were gay
and smiling of late. He asked me the
cause. said I believed it was be-
cause the prince was coming. told
him you had studied the uniforms OF
the inspector general of prisons and
had seemed pleased"
Il must be cautious
Arriving at one of the largest ba-
zaars, Alma left Marie in the carriage
and proceeded to do her shopping alone.
She was attired becomingly, her gown
setting off her form to advantage.
Among the things she purchased was a
long cloak, reaching almost to the
ground, having a hood for covering the
head in winter.
Permit me, lady, to carry your pur-
chascs to your carriage" said the mer.
chant
'Ycu may, but not yet. shall need
some more things. l am going to a
cafe for lunch and shall wear my new
hood and cloak These Persians and
Turks stare at one so. When l return,
shall make more purchases"
Il will await your return with Inn
patience, lady, and your goods will re-
main in my charge"
Not ever Marie noticed the cloaked
figure that came from the bazaar. A
drosky was standing near, and Alma
stepped into it.
take me to the hay wharfs." she
said.
Ito be continued next Saturday,
1.-THE Texas Train"
A handsomely equipped train run
iing on fast schedule to the southwest