Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-09
By E. Phillips Oppenheim,


"An right" he said. al am listeningr'
Il understand" Brott continued. that
| you are one of her oldest friends. and also
one of the trustees OF her estate. / pre-
sumo that you stand TO her therefore TO
/ some extent in the position of an adviser?"
1T is perfectly true" the prince admitted.
II. too. am an old friend. she has
| doubtless told you" Brott said. 'All my
| life she has been the one woman whom I
| have desired to call my wife. That desire
| has never been so strong as at the present
moment"
| The prince removed his cigar from his
mouth and looked grave
But my dear Brott." he said, have you
considered the enormous gulf between your
views? The countess owns great hered-
itary estates, she comes from a family
which is almost royal. she herself is an
aristocrat to the backbone. 1t is class
against which you have declared war. How
can you possibly come together on common
ground?'
Brott was silent for a moment Looking
at him steadily the prince was surprised at
the change In the mans appearance. His
cheeks seemed blanched and his skin drawn.
He had lost flesh. his eyes were hollow,
and he frequently betrayed In small man.
nerisms a nervousness wholly new and I'M
familiar to him.
You speak as a man OF sense, prince"
he said after while. You are absolutely
correct. This matter has caused me a great
deal OF anxious thought. To falter at this
moment is to lose. politically, all that I
have worked for all my life. 1t is to lose
the commence or the people who have trust
ed me. 1t is betrayal, the thought OF
| which is a constant shame to me. But. on
the other hand, Lucille is the dearest thing
| to me in life"
The princes expression was wholly SYM
pathetic. The derison which lurked behind
| he kept wholly concealed. strong man
so ab1ectly in the tolls, and he to be chosen
for his confidant, 1t was melodrama with
a dash Of humor.
"If am to help you" the prince said, IT
must know everything Have you made
any proposals to Lucille? In plain words.
how much of your political future are you
disposed to sacrifice?"
"Allr Brott said hoarsely "All for q
certainty of her. Not one tot without"
Brott sprang to his feet. white and ner-
vous. &c q.
1T is where am at fault" he exclaimed.
1T Is why / have asked for your advice
your help perhaps. / do not find 1t easy to
| understand Lucille. Perhaps 1t is because
| am not well versed in the ways of her sex.
l find her elusive. She will give me no
promise. Before went to Glasgow l talked
with her If she would have married me
then my political career was overthrow
on one side like an old garment. But she
would give me no promise. In everything
save the spoken words 1 crave she has
! promised me her love. Again there comes q
climax: In few hours l must make my
final choice. / must decline TO join Leth-
eringham. In which case the king must send
for me- or accept office with him. and throw
away the one great chance of this genera
tiOH. CABINET, OF course,
would be moderate liberal one. paragon
Of milk and water in effectiveness. II go
in alone we make history. The moment Of
issue has come. And, prince although I
have pleaded with all the force and all the
earnestness know, Lucille remains elusive.
If choose for her side-she promises me
reward. But 1t is vague to me don't.
can't understand! I want her for my wife,
l want her for the rest OF my life-nothing
else. Tell me, is there any barrier to this?
There are no complications I'm her life which
/ do not know Of? l want your assurance
1 want her promise. You understand me?'
Yes, l understand you" the prince said
gravely. II understand more than you do.
1 understand Luciles position"
Brott leaned forward with bright eyes,
"Ah1
Lucille. the Countess of Radantz, is at
the present moment married woman"
Brott speechless. His face was like
a carved stone image. from which the life
had wholly gone.
Her husband-in name only. let me tell
you, is the Mr. Sabin with whom we had
supper this evening
Great Godv'
Their marriage had strange features in
1t which are not my concern. even
yours" the prince said deliberately THE
truth is. that they have not lived together
for years, they never will again. for their
divorce proceedings would long ago have
been concluded but for the complications
arising from the difference between the
Hunga rian and the American laws. Here.
without doubt, is the reason why the count
ess has hesitated to pledge her word di-
rectly."
1T is wonderful" Brott said slowly.
But II explains everything"
There was loud knock at the door. The
secretary appeared upon the threshold. Be-
hind him was tall, slim young man I'm
travelling costume.
''The kings messenger Brott exclaimed,
rising to bis feet.
(To be continued tomorrow