Gilpin observer., 1905-08-24

assemblage and viva la America!"
was given with hearty good will and
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 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?"
Not very long, am afraid" an
swered Cobb. "You see 1 am bird
of passage-always on the CO."
always on re CO." repeated the bar
oness. How is which,"
Cobb smiled. How is which"
struck him as perfect gem.
always on the CO." he explained,
means that remain here little time
then go somewhere else-then trav-
ell again-and so on"
ut l now understand replied the
baroness. There was the suggestion
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 ze
stay--"I am alone" and the voice be-
came softer as the baroness cast down
her eyes.
Cobb was about to reply when Lord
Fitzroyal. 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 a brave man. and
big man. Big men are brave, is it
so not?"
The baroness looked innocently
enough at Lord Fitzroyal as she
on the American. There coul 1 hardly
have been greater contrast. Cobb
strong, straight. massive and magni-
ficently 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 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 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.
"Exquisite." What master
touch!" What splendid technique!"
Superb" were expressions heard on
| all sides.
| Paul Nazimoff was delighted
Father" said Alexis. that is in
| 1aod a trant y ic yaarc cipco baua
heard anything that approached such
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. 1t really is extraordinary"
replied Fitzroyal, answering the count
| ess. who had spoken loud enough to
be heard by all who were 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 Czar'-
one sole" II was Alexis who spoke.
"By All MEANS" "Yes! Yes!" God
Save the Czar!" came from all sides.
| Paul Nazimoff raised his finger and
a servant approached.
Tell the gan who played to come
into the salon. ! desire him to play
before my guests
The servant retired