Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-05

his part he did not notice any incongruity
in the situation. I'D leave well enough
alone" she added
Why do you think thatY' he asked.
Your own country has investigated the
matter, and has deliberately run the risk
OF unpleaSantnesS by refusing to give you
up How, then, can you go there volun-
tarlly1 You would be acting in your pri-
vate capacity directly in opposition to the
decision arrived at by your government -
Technically. that is so; still, England
would not hold the position she does in
the world today If her men had not often
taken a course in their private capacity
which the government would never have
sanctioned. AS things stand now Russia
has not insisted on her demand but has
sullenly accepted Engiands decision, still
quite convinced that my act was not only
an invasion of Russia's domain but de-
Hberate INSULT therefore the worst results
Of an nconsiderate action on my part re-
main. If L could see the Minister for For
etgn Affairs. or the head of the admiralty
in st. Petersburg face to face for ten min
utes, I'd undertake to remove that impress
sion"
You have great faith in your persuasive
powers she said demurely
The Lieutenant began to stammer again
NO, no. 1t isn't SO much that but have
great faith in the Russian as q Judge of
character L suppose L am imagined to be
venomous. brow beating. truculent Rus
cpp4icpo VIM has violated their
territory, finging a shell into their ground
and an insult into their face. They are quite
sincere In this belief. L want to remove
that impression, and there's nothing like
an ocular demonstration. / like the Rus
slams One of my best friends is a Rus-
sian"
The girl shook her head
Il shouldn't attempt It," she persisted
suppose Russia arrested you and said to
England We've got this man in snfte or
your
The Lieutenant laughed heartily
That Is unthinkable: Russia wouldn'.
do such thing. in spite OF all that is
said about the Russian government its
tbing are gentlemen OF course i such
trouble That hs point where we're
( touchy. A very cheap Englishman.
Wrongfully detained, may cause q most
expensive campaign. Our diplomatists may
act correctly enough. and yet leave feel
Ing Of resentment behind. Take this very
case: Britain says coldly to Russia,
I'VE disclaim the act, and apologize
Now. 1t would be much more to the mr.
pose II she said genially:
we have In our employment an i'm
pctuous young fool with a thirst for in
formation. He wished to learn how a new
piece OF ordnance would act, so fired 1t off
with no more intention of striking Russia
than OF hitting the moon. He knows much
more about dancing than about foreign
aHalrS. We've given him a months leave,
petersburg to apologize and explain The
moment you see him you Will recognize he
Is no menace to the peace of nations Mean
while, If you can fnculcate In him some
cold, calm common sense before he returns.
We'll be ever so much Obliged
so you are determined to do what You
think the government should have done"
oh, quite. There will be nothing frigidly
ohaclaI about my unauthorized mission I
nave cousin In the embassy at st. Peters
burg. but l shant go near him; neither
shall / go to an hotel but will get oufef
risk of meeting any chance acquaintance -
1t seems to me you are about to AFFORD
the Russian government an excellent op-
portunity of spiriting you off to Siberia,
and nobody would be the WISER
Drumuaond INDUCED in the free-hearted
laugh of youth to whom life Is still rather
q good joke.
II shouldn't mind studying the Siberian
system from the inside If they allowed me
to return before my leave was up. I be-
lieve that sort OF thing has been exag-
gerated by sensational writer's. The Rus
sian government would not countenance
anything of the kind and II the minor
officials tried to play tricks, there's always
my cousin In the background, and II would
be hard luck If couldn't get line to him
on. there's no danger In my projectp'
Suddenly the girl came to q Standstfll
and gave expression to little cry of dis
may.
whats wrong?' asked the lieutenant
why. we've walked clear out into the
countryr'
.Oh. is that all? hadn't noticed
And there are people waiting for me.
I must run"
Nonsense, let them watt
Il should have been back long since
They had turned. and she was hurrying.
Think Of your new fortune, Miss Ann