The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-05-18


gument over the best cross country
sent Steinmetz out of the room for a
map. During the absence of the watch
full German he admired the view from
the window, and this strategic move
ment enabled him to say to Eta aside:
II must see you before I leave the
house; it is absolutely necessary
Not long after the return of Stein
metz and the final decision respecting
the road to Thors, Eta left the room,
and few minutes later the servant.
announced that the baron's horse was
at the door.
De Chauxville took his leave at once,
with many assurances of lasting graft
tude
Kindly" he added, make my adieus
to the princess. I will not trouble her"
Quite by accident he met Eta at the
head Of the state staircase and uex-
pressed such admiration for the castle
that she opened the door of the large
drawing room and took him to see that
apartment.
'What l arranged for Thursday is
for the day after omorrow-Tuesday,"
said De Chauxville as soon as they
were alone. I'VE cannot keep them
back any longer. You understand
side door to be opened at o'clock. All,
who is this?''
They both turned. Steinmetz was
standing behind them, but he could
not have heard De Chauxville's words
He closed the door carefully and came
forward with his grim smile.
'Just we threev repeated Steinmetz. .
DE Chauxville you love an epigram
The man who overestimates the fool
lshness Of others is himself the big
gest fool concerned. \ lame horse
the princes generosity making your
adieus. You should know me better
than that after all these years. No;
you need not look at the door, No one
will interrupt us. I have seen to that"
He turned to the princess with the
grave courtesy that always marked his
attitude toward her.
"Madame,' he said, II fully recog-
nize your cleverness in raising yourself
to the position you now occupy, but I
would remind you that that position
carries with it certain obligations. It
is hardly digniied for a princess to
engage herself in a vulgar love intrigue
in Ter own house,
ut is not a vulgar love intriguew
cried Eta, with blazing eyes. 81 will
not allow you to say that! Where is
to1 fr;a r.
sample Of it?'
Karl Steinmetz bowed gravely, with
outspread hands.
MADAME, that friendship is at your
service, now as always"
De Chauxville gave a scornful little
laugh. He was biting the end of his
mustache as he watched Etta's face
For a moment the woman stood-not
the first woman to stand thus-be-
tween two fears, then she turned to
Steinmetz. The victory was his, the
greatest he had ever torn from the
grasp Of Claude de Chauxville.
You know" she said, that this man
has me in his power
You alone, but not both of us to-
gether,'' answered Steinmetz.
De Chauxville looked uneasy. He
gave a careless little laugh.
'N1y good Steinmetz, you allow your
imagination to run away with you.
You interfere in what does not concern
you"
'My very dear De Chauxville, think
not. At all events, I am going to con-
Time tO jntorfere''
Eta looked from one to the other.
She had at the first impulse gone over
to Steinmetz. She was now meditat-
ing, drawing back. If De Chauxville
kept cool all might yet be well-the
dread secret of the probability of Sgd
ney scarborough being alive might still
be withheld from Steinmetz.
She had to decide quickly. She de-
cided to assume the role of peace
maker.
IN. de Chauxville was on the point
of going,' she said. 'Let him go''
M. de Chauxville is not going until
I have finished with him, madame.
This may be the last time we meet I
hope it isl
was a ready wit, and fear was the
only feeling that paralyzed it. Eta
looked at him. Was his wit going to
desert him now when he most needed
it? He had ridden boldly into the
lions den. Such proceeding requires
a certain courage, but a higher form Of
intrepidity is required to face the lion
standing before the exit
Steinmetz turned to Eta.
Princess" he said, will you now,
in my presence, forbid this man to
come to this or any other house of
yours? Will you forbid him to address
himself either by speech or letter to
you again?'
you know I cannot do that replied
Eta
why not?''
Eta made no answer.
Because replied De Chauxville for
her, 1.-THE princess is too wise to make
an oDornv Of mo Tn %bo+