Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-05-11
The Edge of Hazard
By GEORGE HORTON
Copyrighted, 1906 by The Bobbs-M0rM Company
By GEORGE HORTON

from you! You have made some mis-
take here!"
He adjusted his gold pince-nez, look
ed critically at the paper, and read
!, soto voce:
Frederick Courland Hardy, rou-
1 bles twot thousand five hundred No,
that is quite correct, your Highness
shall take great pleasure in sending
you a check in the morning. You have
little idea of how this cause appeals
to me-"
The Princess flushed and held the
paper in her hand for some moments
in silence, looking at it.
The Americans are as generous as
4 they are brave" she said at last, in a
low voice. 81 shall accept this noble
! gift on behalf of my poor people, in
whose name thank you
| At this moment a servant appeared
at the door and announced:
Lieutenant Gortchakov!''
II regret that l must be leaving
YOU now" said the Romanova; "but
stay! ] should like to introduce you
10 the lieutenant. He is great admirer
OF America and Americans. Show the
lieutenant in, Aleko."
The lieutenant entered, tall. in his
twenties very slender and handsome
He. was attired in the uniform, of the
Imperial Guards. Seeing the Princess,
he bowed very low, clicking his heels
together. Then he walked rapidly to
her and bending with exquisite grace
and assurance. lifted her hand to his
lips. After which he turned politely
and inqufringly toward Hardy, who
arose.
Lieutenant Gortchakov," said the
Princess, this is Mr.. Hardy the brave
American of whom you have heard me
speak. desire you to be friends"
ut gives me great pleasure to make
your acquaintance" said the lieutenant
extending his hand.
"The pleasure is mine, assure you,'
treplied Hardy.
General Catkoff has already told me
of your heroic deeds ON the Amur,''
said the lieutenant. IT have been hop
ing for some time that might have
the honor of meeting you. had no
| idea that you we're in Moscow
Gortchakov was frank, ingenious
immediate liking.
II shall leave you two together" said
the Princess, rising, while 60 and
get my wraps. Oh, by the way, AL
exieff. why can we not drive Mr. Hardy
| by the Slaviansky bazaar? The lieuten
ant has new pair of white Arabian
horses, which ne is anxious for me to
see. am sure that Mr.. Hardy can ap
preciate fine horses"
Il shall be most happy replied the
lieutenant, "if Mr.. Hardy will &C
cept.'
"Oh, Y am sure he will" laughed
the Princess, 'if he is sufficiently urg
ed"
She left the room, and Gortchakov
began to explain that he was driving
her to reception, and that the Slav.
iansky would be on the way. He
had not been talking over a minute
when Boris Romanoff entered, superb
ly handsome in evening dress. An
cider man accompanied him. Roman
off shook hands cordially with Cor
tchakov, whom he address as "Alex
Jeff" ard to whom he introduced his
companion, General Koukolnik.
He did not introduce Koukolnik tt
Hardy. but said to the latter with al
evil, insolent smile:
| Hello. Hardy, how's trade? Blu
these Americans are enterprising!" he
explained affably to the general. "Thii
fellow here is storekeeper, who, |
seems, is working the Russian nobili
ty for all he is worth. What's you
scheme now? Tell US, that's a goo,
fellow! You shall have our influence
with the Princess she ought to b,
an easy mark, under the circumstan
ces- eh, General?"
The American paled with rage, bu
he looked Romanoff full in the eyes
returning insolence for insolence.