The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-05-12
Henry Seton Merriman

Steinmetz, who was behind, saw
everything. He saw NaSSili'S mask
like face contract with stupefaction
when he set eyes on Eta. He saw the
self contained Russian give a little
gasp and mutter an exclamation before
he collected himself sufficiently to bow
and conceal his face, but he could not
see Etta's face for moment or two
until the formal greetings were over
When he did see it he noted that it was
as white MS marble.
"Aha, my good Steinmetz!' cried
Vassili, with less fermality, holding
out his hand with frank and boyisl
good humor
"Aha, my dear Vassili!' returned
Steinmetz. taking the hand.
ut is good of you, NJ lie Prince, and
you, madame, to honor us in our small
house." said the marquise.
$50" said Nassili, with a comprehen-
sive bow to all his guests-"so you
are bound for Russia But envy YOU
l envy you. You know Russia Nine
la PrincesseY'
Eta met his yelled gaze calmly.
"a little" she replied
There was no sign of recognition in
his eyes now, nor pallor on her face.
"a beautiful country, but the rest of
Europe does not believe it. And the
estate Of the prince is one of the vast
est, if not the most beautiful. 1t is a
sporting estate, is it not prince?
Essentially so,' replied Paul.
'Bears, wolves, deer, besides. of course,
black game. capercailzie, ptarmigan-
everything one could desire
Speaking as sportsman" suggest
ed Vassili gravely.
Speaking as sportsman"
"Of Vassili paused and with
a little gesture of the hand included
Steinmetz in the conversation; it may
have been that he preferred to have
him talking rather than watching of
course, like all great Russian landhold-
ers, you have your troubles with the
people, though you are not strictly
speaking, within the famine district"
Not quite; we are not starving but
we are hungry" said Steinmetz blunt
ly.
Vassili laughed and shook a gold eye
glass chidingly.
'Ah, my friend, your old pernicious
habit of calling a spade a spade! 1t is
unfortunate that they should hunger a
little, but what will you? They must
learn to be provident, to work harder
and drink less. With such people eXpe-
rience is the only taskmaster possible.
1t is useless talking to them. 1t is dam
gerous to pauperize them. Besides, the
accounts that one reads in the news
papers are manifestly absurd and ex-
aggerated. You must not, mademoi-
selle," he said, turning courteously to
Maggie-"you must not believe all you
are told about Russia.g
The table was gorgeously decorated;
the wine was perfect, the dishes Pa
risian. Everything was brilliant, and
Etta's spirits rose. Such little things
affect the spirits of such little minded
women
at is exile; it is nothing short of ex-
ile," protested Vassili, who led the con-
versation. Much as | admire my own
country as a country. | do not pretend
to regret fate that keeps me resident
in Paris. For men it is different, but
for madame and for you. mademoiselle
--ach.'' He shrugged his shoulders and
looked up to the ceiling in mute appeal
to the gods above it. Beauty, brillian-
cy, whitley are all lost i'll Russia.
What would Paris say if it knew
what it was losing?" be added in a
low tone to Eta, who smiled, well
pleased. She was not always able to
distinguish between impertinence and
fattery. And indeed they are so close
~ allied that the distinction is subtle.
Steinmetz, on the left hand of the
marquise, addressed one or two re-
marks to that lady. who replied with
her mouth full. He soon discovered
that that which was before her inter-
ested her more than anything around,
and during the banquet he contented
himself by uttering an exclamation of
delight at particular flavor which
the lady was kind enough to point out
to him with an eloquent and emphatic
fork from time to time.
VasSili noted this with some disgust.
He would have preferred that Karl
Steinmetz were greedy or more con-
verSatiOAal
But" the host added aloud, ladies
are so good. Perhaps you are inter
ested in the peasants?"
Eta looked at Steinmetz, who gave
an imperceptible nod.
yes" she answered, 81 am"
Vassili followed her glance and found
Steinmetz eating With grave appre-
citation of the fare provided.
"Ah," he said in an eXpectant tone,
''then you will no doubt pass much of
your time in endeavoring to alleviate
their troubles, their self inflicted trou-