The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-04-20

ess Lanovitch.
Catrina stood in the embrasure Of
the window, hating her.
faul followed on his wife's heels,
scarcely concealing his boredom. He
was not society man. Catrina came
Forward and exchanged a formal bow
with Eta, who took in her plainness
and the faults of her dress at one con-
temptuous glance. She smiled with
the perfect pity of good figure for no
hgure at ALL Paul was shaking hands
with the countess. When he took Ca
trina's hand her fingers were icy and
tWltched nervously within his grasp.
Inc countess was already babbling
TO Eta in French. The Princess How:
ara Alexis always began by informing
Pauls friends that she knew no Rus
sian. For moment Paul and Catrina
were left, as it were, alone.
Il wish you happiness" said Catrina,
and no one heard her but Paul. She
did not raise her eyes to his, but looked
vaguely at his collar. Her voice was
short and rather breathless, as If she
had just emerged from deep water.
"Ihank you,' answered Paul simply.
He turned and somewhat naturally
looked at his wife Catrina's thoughts
followed his. A man is at a disad-
vantage in the presence Of the woman
who loves him. She usually sees
through him-a marked difference be.
tween masculine and feminine love.
Catrina looked up sharply and caught
his eyes resting on Eta
@He does not love her-he does not
love her!' was the thought that in
stantly leaped into her brain.
And if she had said it to him he
would have contradicted her fatty and
honestly, and in vain.
YES the countess was saying with
lazy volubility, paul is one of our
Oldest friends. We are neighbors in
the country, you know. He has al
ways been in and out of our house like
one Of the family. My poor husband
was very fond of him.
us your husband dead, then?" asked
Eta in low voice, with a strange
haste.
"No; he is only in Siberia. You have
perhaps heard of his misfortune
Count Stepan Lanovitch."
Eta nodded her head With the deep.
est sympathy
II feel for you, countess she said.
"And yet you are so brave-and made
moiselle." she said, turning to Catrina.
II hope we shall see more of each other
in Tver.'
Catrina bowed jerkily and made no
reply. Eta glanced at her sharply.
Perhaps she saw more than Catrina
knew.
II suppose" she said to the countess,
with that inclusive manner which
spreads the conversation out, "that
Paul and Mile. de Lanovitch were play
mates?'
The reply lay with either of the la
dies, but Catrina turned away.
EYES," answered the countess, "but
Catrina is only twenty four, ten years
younger than Paul.
"Indeed!,, with a faint, cutting sur
prise ~-.-.
While the party assembled were thus
exchanging social amenities a past
master in such commerce Joined them
in the person of Claude de Chauxville.
He smiled his mechanical, heartless
smile upon them all, but when he bow
ed over Etta's hand his face was
grave. He expressed no surprise at see-
ing Paul and Eta, though his manner
betOkened that emotion. There was no
sign of this meeting having been pre-
arranged matter, brought about by
himself through the easy and innocent
instrumentality of the countess.
"And you are going to Tver, no
doubt:" he said almost at once to Eta.
eyes," answered that lady, with
momentary hunted look in her eyes. It
is strange how an obscure geographical
name may force its way into our lives,
never to be forgotten. 1t seemed to Eft
ia that 'Tver" was written large
wheresoever she turned.
"The prince" continued De Chaux.
vile, turning to Paul, sis a great
sportsman. I am told-a mighty hunt
err
Paul smiled 1--WE have few bears
left,'' he said.
"You are fortunate," protested De
ChauXville. Il shot one when I was
younger. I was immensely afraid, and
so was the bear. 1 have a great desire
to try again.
Eta glanced at Paul, who returned
De Chauxville's bland gaze with all
the imperturbability of a prince.
The countess cackling voice broke in
at this juncture, as perhaps De Chaux.
vile had intended it to do.
''Then why not come and shoot
ours?" she said. 'We have quite a
number of them in the forests at
Thors''
"Ah, Nine. la Comtesse," he answer
ed, with outspread, deprecatory hands,
"but that would be taking too great an
advantage Of your hospitality and your
well known kindness"
He turned to Catrina, who received
him with a half concealed frown. The
countess bridled and looked at her