Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-26
CHAPTER XII.
In the Bots.

The Bots lay without the Northern Gate.
The work of planting gardens and cutting
carriage roads through the nearer stretches
of the forest which touched the city on
this side was due to Ferdinand /, whose
statue stood in the Grande Place, the only
useful action Of which he had ever been
guilty. 1t was said.
Early in the morning men riding in the
Bots had inquired of one another whether
the story concerning Baron Petrescu were
true One had heard this. another that
II was whispered that the baron had been
killed in a duel by member of the British
embassy, who had also been seriously
wounded; and again. that ne had Wounoeo
his adversary and had then been nearly
killed by his adversary's partlsans. linen
one man inquired the name of the woman
and another where the duel mad been
fought for there was law against duel
ing. although it was seldom enforced. Inc
true story did not become public property,
but 1t was presently known that the baron's
wound was a slight affair after all, and
that the duel had not been fought with q
member of the embassy Capt. ward mad
certainly been injured, but that was the
result of an accident; they had DR.. Gold
bergs word for It, 1t was then that the
Younger Wiseacres smiled. Baron Petrescu
was an easy lover, and mad oeen punished
perhaps, with the luck on his side. had got
the better Of the master sof fence. NO
wonder the baron wished to keep the mat
ter quiet.
Lord Cloverton knew the true story. Capt.
Ward had sent to him directly DIR. Gold
berg had got him home. and the ambassa-
dor shut himself in his room to consider
his course of action. After his failure to
entrap Queen Elena last night, and the
kings anger consequent upon his accusa-
ton, his position was an extremely diff
cult one The queen had outwitted him.
but the fact remained that Capt. Ellerey
was not to be found at his lodging this
morning He had ascertained this fact.
There was no doubt that Ellerey had SOME
understanding with her majesty, and might
have already left the city On his mission.
The token might have been changed at the
last moment He had failed to arouse the
kings suspicion through the queen. but the
interests at stake demanded instant action.
and another method must be used. So Lord
Cloyerton went to the king and again
apoiogized for the mistake his zeal had
led him into. Her majesty had. Of course.
proved how innocent her audience with
Capt eEllerey lad been, but the fact re-
mained that Ellerey was the moving spirit
taken to obtain possession OF his person
the better. In this manner the ambassador
quickly made his peace, and messengers
galloped hastily through the city from the
palace.
The night had been a sleepless one for
F'rina Mavrodin. From the moment she
had seen those figures descending the
stairs. her thoughts had been fixed In one
channel. She knew the baron's reputation
as q swordsman, and her heart went with
the man who had met his insult with so
swift demand for retrtbution. The cause
to which she was attached. for which she
was prepared to sQuander her wealth, to
give her life even were that necessary. had
compelled her companionshtp with this ad-
a spirit Of raillery. measuring her woman's
wit and beauty against his brusqueness.
and his resourcefulness and calm deter
mination had won her admiration. The
cause was altogether forgotten sometimes
in the mere pleasure she had In being with
him. He was not as other men. quick
with a compliment. ever ready to please.
Not word of love had he spoken to her.
in the throng, whether it were in the Bots
or at court, and, having found her. he
looked no further. If she INDUCED in
dreams sometimes, they were shadowy
visions pleasant enough. but taking no dis
tinct shape, demanding no definite consid-
Grafton.
The awakening had come when Princess
Martha had spoken Of him. She had said
little. but Frina had read the deeper mean
ing underneath her words. AS princess,
Martha had watched the mans career. be-
lieving that one day he might prove useful
to her cause; but as woman she had also
remembered the circumstances Of their
meeting. and had treasured them in her
heart. Only with this discovery had Frina
Mavrodin become fully conscious of all
Capt. Elerey's companonship meant to
her. The iood-gates were suddenly opened,
and the rushing torrent of her emotions
threatened to sweep away all thought of
the cause she had worked for. and loved,
and believed In. Almost she had told him
her secret tonight by her eager questions,
and the blood mounted to her cheeks as she
remembered. How would he have answered
her had he not been summoned to audience
with the queen? Leaning at the open win
dow looking at the heavy clouds which
presently obscured the moon. she passed