The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-30
From the
Ambassador
OOX BY A. N.
DAVIES OGDEN
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The big flower tilled drawing room
was brilliant with afternoon sunshine
Through the open window came the
sound Of the trot OF horses feet as
they passed on the broad "unter der
Linden" Ransome Prentice looked
about him with a sigh Of satisfaction
IL was good to be back In Berlin. Then
he smiled at the girl who was handing
him cup Of tea.
so here am at last" he said. And
now, tell me the news, You left Amer.
lea so suddenly that had no chance
TO come and bid you goodby, How do
you like your elevation to the rank OF
ambassadors daughterl And has any.
thing exciting happened thus far? You
see, had to follow just to hear II ALL"
The gtrl hesitated, playing with the
spoons on the dainty tea table.
There is not much to tell" she an
swered slowly. And yet there is one
thing" glancing across at him IL
think you will be pleased, as II Is
largely due to your instrumentality. |
should never have-have known him so
! quickly had 1t not been that owing to
/ your old friendship, I already felt as II
he were no stranger when we met. or
! course you can guess whom mean. 1t
/ is not announced yet, but am going to
/ marry Max Won Witzleben"
! The mans cup clattered In its saucer.
''You-to marry Maxi he repeated.
Then, do you--do you care for him so
much?" he asked.
For moment Miss Freeman frown.
ed. But 1t was only Ransome. He
and she had always ,teased and ques,
toned and conflded In each other Yet
she paused over the answer.
II do not think that am the kind
to care very deeply for any one" she
said soberly. II admire Max. You
have always told me how noble he was:
how brave. And adore bravery. My
idea Of his character is really drawn
largely from your letters"
Prentice's lips twisted into a smile.
II was an enthusiastic chap in those
days" he commented dryly. II hope
you have some better foundation for
your affection than letters written by
boy In the university. But | am
forgetting what was partly my errand
this afternoon. Buffalo Bilr' Is 10 open
in Berlin tomorrow afternoon, and !
thought perhaps you would like to 60
1t Is only patriotic for the Americans
to turn out Should you care Miss
Freeman nodded
Il suppose 1t would be the proper /
thing to do" she agreed. Il have not .
seen Buffalo Bill since l was child. I
They sent father box, but he does
not care to go, and | had not thought |
about it, Suppose you come with US.
l will ask Max, and we can take Frau
lein."
A few minutes later Prentice rose to
take his leave, and 1t was not until
after his departure that Miss Freeman
remembered that he had forgotten to
congratulate her For the rest Of the
day the girl was decidedly absent
minded.
But the next afternoon, seated in the
box Of honor in the big open air arena,
Miss Freeman appeared to have quite
regained her normal spirits. chattering
gayly with both men Won Witxleben,
precise, neat, with parted hair and
pointed mustache, sat on her right and
the girl glanced critically from his
somewhat impassive face to that of the
American, with its keen dark eyes
and steady, clean cut mouth. The
study of the two men was more absorb
ing than the show. Her attention had
from the ring and the -four
ish Of trumpets which heralded the
Deadwood coach caused her to start
The next moment a man pushed his
way to their box and bowed. ,
Colonel Cody would be honored If ,
any Of the American ambassadors
guests would wish to ride In the Dead
wood coach" the man suggested cour.
teOusly. Miss Freeman, IN sudden mis-
chief, looked at her iance.
What DO you say to it?' she queried
lemurely. The German gazed back in ,
lorrifed dIsapproval.
You go around in that coach and :
make a spectacle Of yourself" he
yasped, before all these people, Aber,
what a shocking idea. could not al .
ow It," .
Into the girls eyes there came a sud. :
len gleam. She had not meant to do .
his thing. But ever since her spoiled
,abyhood a dare had been to her spirit
Ike fire to gunpowder. She lifted her
Iead.
Thank you. We shall be glad to ac-
ept," she said to the man, who still
TODD, hat In hand, awaiting her decl-
ion. '1f you are afraid, pray remain
ere," she added dehantly to Won Wit
leben. "Will you come, Ransome"
But began he. One glance at her
ct mouth showed the futllty Of re-
And wherever she called
e would follow, be the consequences
Vhat they might In silence he let her
recede him down the steps, Won Wit
leben bringing up sulien rear The
raulein left behind wept in unheeded
rotest.
II WAS not until the coach had fairly