Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-05-16

admiralty In st. Petersburg face to
face for ten minutes I'd undertake to
remove that impression"
you have great faith in your per-
%suasive powers" she said demurely.
The lieutenant began to stammer
again.
"No, no, it isn't so much that, but I
have great faith in the Russian as a
Judge Of character. l suppose I am
imagined to be a venomous, brow
beating, truculent Russophobe, who
has maliciously violated their terri
tory, finging a shell into their ground
and an insult into their face. They
are quite sincere in this belief. 1 want
to remove that impression, and there's
nothing like an ocular demonstration.
I like the Russians. One Of my best
friends is a Russian"
The girl shook her head.
Il shouldn't attempt it." she persist
ed. Suppose Russia arrested you and
said to England, We've got this man
In spite of your"
The lieutenant laughed heartily.
THAT'S u~nthinkable. Russia wouldn't
do such a thing. In spite Of all that is
said about the Russian government its
members are gentlemen. OF course If
such a thing happened there would be
trouble. That is a point where we're
touchy. A very cheap Englishman
wrongfully detained may cause a most
expensive campaign. Our diplomatists
may act correctly enough and yet leave
a feeling of resentment behind. Take
this very case. Britain says coldly to
Russia:
1--WE disclaim the act and apologize
"Now, it would be much more to the
purpose If she said genially: ,
1--WE have in our employment an
1mpetuous young fool with a thirst for
information. He wished to learn how
a new piece Of ordnance would act, so
fired it off with no more intention of
striking Russia than Of hitting the
moon. He knows much more about
dancing than about foreign affairs.
We've given him a months leave, and
ne will Slip across privately to st. Pc
tersburg to apologize and explain. The
moment you see him you will recognize
he is no menace to the peace Of ma
tons. Meanwhile if you can inculcate
In him some cold, calm common sense
before he returns We'll be ever so
much obliged"
5 you are determined to do what
you think the government should have
done"
"Oh, quite. There will be nothing
fr1gidly official about my unauthorized
mission. l have a cousin in the en-
bassy at st. Petersburg, but I shan't go
near him; neither shall l go to a hotel,
but will get quiet rooms somewhere
that I may not run the risk of meeting
any nance acquaintance"
lit seems to me you are to afford
the Russian government an excellent
opportunity of spiriting you off to ST
IBERIA, and nobody would be the WISER
Drummond INDUCED in the free
hearted laugh of a youth to whom life
is still rather a good joke.
Il shouldn't mind studying the Sibe-
r1an system from the inside If they al
lowed me to return before my leave
was up. I believe that sort of thing
has been exaggerated by sensational
writer's. The Russian government
would not co%untenance anything Of
the kind, and if the minor officials
tried to play tricks there's always my
cousin in the background, and it would
be hard luck if I couldn't get a line to
him. Oh, there's no danger in my
projecty'
Suddenly the girl came to a stand
still and gave expression to a little cry
Of dismay.
whats wrong?" asked the lieuten-
ant.
"Why, we've walked clear out into
the country"
ooh, is that all? I hadn't noticed"
"And there are people waiting for
me. 1 must run"
Nonsense, let them wait"
II should have been back long since.''
They had turned, and she was hur-
rying.
think of your new fortune, Miss
Amhurst, safely lodged in our friend
Morton's bank, and don't hurry for
any one"
II didn't say it was a fortune.
Ineres only $4,000 there"
THAT sounds formidable, but unless
the people who are waiting for you
muster more than $4,000 apiece I
don't think you should make haste on
their account"
Its the other way about, Mr.. Drum
mond. Individually they are poorer
than I, therefore l should have re-
turned long ago. Now, I fear, they
will be in a temper"
"Well, if anybody left me $4,000 I'd
take an afternoon off to celebrate.
Here We are in the suburbs again.
Won't you change your mind and your
direction? Let us get back into the
country, sit down on the hillside, look
at the bay and gloat over your wealth.
Dorothy Amhurst shook her head and
held out her hand.
II must bid you goodby here, Lieu
tenant Drummond. This is my short
est way home"
May I not accompany you just n