The Glenwood post., 1905-08-26


enthusiasm.
Then the assemblage began to gath
er into knots and groups-but every
where Cobb and Alexis and the ad-
venture formed the subject of CONVEX
sation. A score of invitations to the
greatest houses in Russia had already
been showered on General Cobb. He
had accepted half a dozen-one in par
ticular, that had been pressed with
great earnestness. That one came
from the Baroness Won Rhineberg.
You are so grand, Srave." said the
baroness. you will in st. Peters
burg long stay?"
mot very long, I am afraid,' an
swered Cobb. You see l am bird
of passage-always on the co.
always on re 60" repeated the bar
oness. How is which,"
Cobb smiled. How is which"
struck him as a perfect gem.
always on the 60" he explained.
means that | remain here little time
then go somewhere else-then tray
el again-and so on
1T | now understand replied the
of sigh as she spoke. 1t did not
escape the notice of Cobb. 81 would
to be always on re go, like sometimes
myself, but | must be always on re
stay-'I am alone" and the voice be
came softer as the baroness cast down
her eyes.
Cobb was about to reply when Lord
Fftzroyal who had been an interested
spectator, sauntered up. The baroness
was betraying altogether too much
interest in the stalwart American to
please his lordship. who had been
wavering for some time on the verge
of proposal.
well, baroness, our American
friend seems to have covered himself
with glory"
Cobb detected a covert sneer in the
remark.
''zat is so! He is brave man. and
big man. Big men are brave, is it
so not?"
The baroness looked innocently
enough at Lord Fitzroyal as She
spoke, but her glance had first rested
on the American. There could hardly
have been greater contrast. Cobb
strong, straight, massive and magni.
ticently proportioned; Fitzroyal thin,
puny and narrow chested.
The shot told
FitZroyal looked annoyed.
He turned his attention to Cobb.
Mr.. Cobb seems quite at home in
Russia" he said
Cobb measured him with his eye
Yes" he drawled in reply. "Ameri-
cans generally are more at home in
Russia than Englishmen are. We
never tried to kick them when they
were down"
"Zat is good-zat is so-is it so not,
Lord Fitzroyal?' exclaimed the baro-
ness.
Before Fitzroyal could reply a hush
fell on the assembly. From beyond
the masses of tropical plants which
masked the apartment where the or
chestra was concealed came the ex-
quisite strains of a Russian air played
on the violin by master hand.
AS the last notes died away the
| storm Of applause broke out with spon-
| taneous enthusiasm. Bravo, encore!"
came from all points of the room.
| "EXqulsite!' What master
touch!" What splendid technique!"
Superb" were expressions heard on
all sides.
| Paul Nazimoff was delighted.
Father" said Alexis, that is in
deed treat. 1t is years since | have
heard anything that approached such
a brilliant performance" He sighed.
His father watched him narrowly.
The wound then, had not entirely
healed.
Katherine Karsicheff broke the
silence. 81 sometimes wonder how
the lower classes can cultivate such
tastes"
Yes. it really is extraordinary.
replied Fitzroyal, answering the count
ess, who had spoken loud enough to
be heard by all who We're near. Then
| FitZroyal saw still another chance.
.The lower orders, Mr.. Cobb have
some things that we don't possess
by birthright of nobility
The fact that every person in the
room. except Cobb, so far as Fitzroyal
knew, had title, made the remark
suggestive.
Looking his questioner straight in
the eye Cobb said: Yes; brains for
example"
Let us have God Save the Car
one sole" II was Alexis who spoke.
by ali means" "Yes! Yes!" God
Save the Carl" came from all sides.
Paul Nazimoff raised his finger and
a servant approached.
Tell the San who played to come
into the salon. ] desire him to play
before my guests
The servant retired.
A minute later he returned, and
hesitatingly approached Count Nazi-
moff, who was seated With Countess
Karsicheff.
The count looked up. "Well?"
The servant said something in low
| rto