Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-18

American town without society, with no
scope for her ambitions, detached alto
gether from the, whole civilized world"
(Which only goes to prove, prince, Lu-
ellie remarked conternptuously, that you
do not understand me in, the least. AS
place of residence Lenox would compare
for companionship you forget my husband.
I never met the woman yet who did not
prefer the company of one man, If only 1t
were the right one. to the cosmopolitan
throng we call society,".
1T sounds idyl!ic, but very gauche;
Lady Carey remarked drily. I'm effect 1t
is rather a blow on the cheek for you,
prince. OF course you know that the prince
is In love with you, Lucille?"'
Il wish he were" she answered, looking
lazly out of the window.
He bent over her. ....-
81 would persuade him to send me home
again." she answered. coldly.
The duchess looked up from her knit
ting:
to work upon the princes good nature to
such an extent
Lucille started round eagerly.
what do you mean?' she cried.
Your husband is In London the duch-
ess answered.
Lucille laughed with the gayety of a
child. Like magic the lines from beneath
her eyes seemed to have vanished. Lady
Carey watched her with pale cheeks and
malevolefit expression.
Come. prince she cried mockingly. ct
was only a week ago that you assured me
that my husband could not leave America.
Already he Is III London. I must go to
see him. i Oh. I insist upon it."
Sake Leinitzer glanced toward the duch-
| ess: She'laid down her knitting.
MY dear countess" she said firmly, II
beg that you will listen to me carefully. I
speak to you for your own good, and I be-
lieve may add. prince, that 1 speak with
authority
with authority!ss the prince echoed.
I'VE ALL" the duchess continued, "look
upon yOur-husband's arrival as inopportune
and. unfortunate. We are all agreed that
you must be kept apart. Certain oblfgaE
tons have been laid upon you. You could
net possibly fulfil them with a husband at
your elbow. The matter will be put plain
ly before your husband, as am now put
to attempt to see or communicate with you
as your husband. If he or you disobey the
consequences will be serious"
Lucille shrugged her shoulders. -
TT is easy to talk" she said, ''but you
| will not find 1t easy to keep Victor away
| when he has found out where 1 am
! The prince interviewed.
I'VE have no objection to your meet
ing" he said, but 1t must be as acQuaint-
ances. There must be no intermission or
| slackening in your task, and that can only
| be properly carried out by the Countess
| Radantz and from Dorset House."
Lucille smothered her disappointment
Dear me-" she said. You will find
Victor a little hard to persuade"
There was a moments silence. Then the
prince spoke slowly, and watching care
fully the effect of his words upon Lucille.
Countess he said; SIT has been our
plea sure to make of your task so far as
possible a,fheliday. Y t'perhaps it is wiser
to remind you that underneath the glove
| is an iron hand We do notsoften threaten,
| but we brook no interference. We have
the means to :thwart IT. I bear no ill-wi1l
to your husband. but to you 1 say this: If
he should be so mad as to defy US. to in
cite you to disobedience. he must pay the
penalty" $50 49,
A servant entered.
Mr.. Reginald Brott rs In the small
drawing room, your grace" he announced.
HE inquired for the Countess Radantz"
Lucille rose. When the servant had dis
appeared she turned round for a moment
and faced the prince. spot Of color
| burned in her cheeks, her eyes were bright
| with anger.
Il shall remember your words, prince, -
| she said $50 far from mine being. how
| ever, holiday task. 1t is one Of the most
wearisome and unpleasant 1 ever under
| took. And in return for your warning let
me tell you this. II you should bring any
harm upon my husband you shall answer
| for 1t all your days to me. I will do my
duty. He careful that you do not exceed
yours"
| She swept out of the room. Lady Carey
| laughed mockingly at the prince.
Poor Ferdinandr she exclaimed
| CTo be continued tomorrow