The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-07-14
From the
Ambassadors
BOX By A. NJ.
DAVIES OGDEN
Copyright. 1905. By A. N. Davies Ogden

The big flower filled 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 sigh Of satisfaction
It was good to be back in Berlin. Then
he smiled at the girl who was handing
him cup Of tea.
$50 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 dc
you like your elevation to the rank Of
ambassadors daughter? And has any.
thing exciting happened thus far? You
see, had to follow just to hear it all"
The girl 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 it is
largely due to your instrumentality. ]
should never have-have known him sc
quickly had it not been that, owing tc
your old friendship, 1 already felt as If
he were no stranger when we met. OF
course you can guess whom l mean. II
is not announced yet, but I am going tc
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? p he asked.
For moment Miss Freeman frown-
ed. But it was only Ransome. He
and she had always leased and ques-
toned and confided in each other. Yet
she paused over the answer.
IL do not think that am the kind
to care very deeply for any one," she
said soberly. 81 admire Max. You
have always told me how noble he was;
how brave And l adore bravery. My
idea of his character is really drawn
largely from your letters"
Prentice's lips twisted into smile.
II was an enthusiastic chap in those
days." he commented dryly. 81 hope
you have some better foundation for
your affection than letters written by
a boy in the university. But l am
forgetting what was partly my errand
this afternoon Buffalo Bill' is to open
in Berlin tomorrow afternoon, and
thought perhaps you would like to go.
1t is only patriotic for the Americans
to turn out Should you care"- Miss
Freeman nodded
II suppose it would be the proper
thing to do" she agreed. 81 have not
seen Buffalo Bilr since was a child.
They sent father box, but he does
not care to CO. and 1 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 it 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 Witzleben,
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
wandered 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
guests would wish to ride in the Dead
wood COACH" the man suggested cour-
teously Miss Freeman, in sudden mis-
chief, looked at her fiance.
"What do you say to it?" she queried
demurely. The German gazed back in
Mortified disapproval.
You go around in that coach and
make a spectacle Of yourself" he
gasped, "before all these people! Aber,
what shocking idea! l could not al
low it,
Into the girls eyes there came sud-
den gleam She had not meant to do
this thing. But ever since her spoiled
babyhood a dare had been to her spirit
like fire to gunpowder. She lifted her
head.
THANK you. We shall be glad to ac-
cept," she said to the man, who still
stood, hat in hand, awaiting her deci-
sion. eff you are afraid, pray remain
here" she added defiantly to Won Wit
zleben. ''Will you come, Ransome?
But began he. One glance at her
set mouth showed the futility Of re-
monstrance. And wherever she called
he would follow, be the consequences
what they might. In silence he let her
precede him down the steps, Won Wit
zleben bringing up sullen rear. The
fraulein left behind wept in unheeded
protest.
1t was not until the coach had fairly
! started that Miss Freeman realized all