Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-02


 l tsST' of the nine fountains
 e~- that was not ablaze with l light, glittering against faraway back
 ground of violet mountains crowned by
 snow.
 Outside the tall bronze gates where
 marble lions crouched the crowd that might not pass beyond stared, chat tered, pointed and exclaimed without jealousy of their betters. Unser Leo
 was giving ball, and it was enough
 for their happiness to watch the slow
 moving line of splendid state coaches, gorgeous automobiles and neat brough- ans with well known crests upon their doors; to strive good naturedly for a
 peep at the faces and dresses, the
 jewels and picturesque uniforms; to comment upon all freely, but never impudently, asking one another what would be for supper and with whom the emperor would dance.
 There she is-there's the beautiful young foreign lady who saved himw cried a girl in the throng. Il was there and saw her, tell you. Isn't she an angel:"
 Instantly hearty cheer went up, growing in volume, and the green coat ed policemen had to keep back the crowd that would have stopped the horses and pressed close for a long look into plain dark blue brougham.
 io r. >f ,; the cushions. blushing and breathing quickly as she caught her mothers hand.
 "Dear people--dear, kind people," she thought. Il love them for loving him. l wonder. oh, I wonder, if they will ever see me and cheer me driving by his side.''
 She had chosen to wear the white dress with the pearls, though up to the last moment the grand duchess had suffered tortures of indecision between that and the blue, to say nothing of a pink chiffon trimmed with crushed roses. Before the carriage brought them to the palace doors the girls blush had faded, and her face was as white as her gown when at her moth- CTS side she passed between lowing lackeys through the marble Hall of Lions, on through the frescoed Ritter saal to the throne room. where the emperor's guests awaited his coming.
 It was etiquette not to arrive a mo- ment later than 10 o'clock, and a few minutes after the hour Baron von Lyn- dal in his official capacity as grand master of ceremonies struck the pol ished floor twice with his gold knob bed wand of ivory. This signaled the approach of the court from the i'm perial dinner party, and Leopold en- tered, with a stout, middle aged royal highness from Russia on his arm.
 Until his arrival the beautiful Miss Mowbray had held all eyes, and even when he appeared she was not forgot | ten. Every one was on tenterhOoks to see how she would be greeted by | the grateful emperor.
 The instant that his dark head tow cred above other heads in the throne | room it was observed even by those | not usually observant that never had | Leopold been so handsome.
 His was face remarkable for intel l lect and firmness rather th.l for clas- sical beauty of feature. tho &gh his fea- lures were strong and cle <'ly cut. But | tonight the sternness that sometimes m o rrnd fbap, tn tho ovnv of .,..,,,n,, was smoOthed away. He looked young and ardent, almost boyish. like a man who has suddenly found an absorbing new interest in life.
 The first dance he went through with the Russian royalty. who was the guest of the evening. and. still rigidly to the line of duty. which obtains in court bathrooms as on bat ilehelds. the second. third and fourth dances were for inc emperor penances instead of pleasures. But for the fifth. 3 waltz. be bowed before Virginia.
 During this long hour there had been hardly movement. smile or glance of hers which hc had not cOntrived to see since his entrance He knew just how well Baron von Lyndal carried ont his concerning Miss Mowbray. He saw each partner presented to her Tor dance the emperor might not 'laim. and tO save his life or national 'risis he could not have forced the tame expression in speaking with her oval hiEhneSS from Russia as that which spontaneously frightened his lace when at last he approached vlr- -inia
 Who ls that si-l:- asked Count von Rreitstein in his uSuaI shrupi manner ls the arm of T.eopoId zirilad the slim waist of the princes and tho eyes of Leopold drank light from another pair Y eyes lifted t0 hiS in laughter
 lt was to Baroness vOn Lyndal that the old cfsnceilor put his question. and she fHuerp1 a tiny diamond spangEed fan Of Iare 10 hide lips that would smile as she answered. What. chancellor. are you testing. or don't you really know who that girl isE"
 COun. ron Brsitstesn turned eyes old and gray as glass away from the tvO figures moving rhytbmicsIly with he music to the face 0f the ouns eele- ,rated beauty Long sgo h. had ad- hired Baroness vDn Lvnsisl ss passion steIv as it was in him Co admire auv roman. but that sIsy vas 90 fsr dis ant ax to be renesnE.ered with scgrn- nd now such power sS she had over .im vas merely t0 eHcte a feeling oF rTitstig8-
 ITo be Cozti1EseJ. 1