The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1908-08-19

b1OWDTay nnQ seen at the D1rtnQay
ball looked no more than eighteen
and, I was told, confessed to twenty.
The Mowbrays. | learned by n little
further research I'm Burke were dis
tantly connected by marriage with the
family OF Banmcnburg. Drippe This
seemed an odd coincidence In the cir
cumstances. But, acting as duty badc
me act, wired to two persons-Baron
Won Sark, your majesty's ambassador
to Great Britain, and the crown prince
Of Uungaria. the brother OF Princess
Virginia"
what did you telegraph" asked the
emperor icily.
Nothing compromising to your maj
esty, you may well believe inquired
of Adaibert IL he had English rela.
tions, Lady Mowbray and daughter,
Helen, travelling In Rhactia, and beg
ged that II SO he would describe their
appearance by telegram. To Won Sark
said that particulars by wire concern
Ing the widow Of Lord Mowbray and
daughter, Helen, would put me under
personal obligation. Both these mes
sages sent Off night before last Yes
terday l received Adalberts answer.
this morning Won Sarks. They are
here" And the chancellor tapped the
breast Of his gray coat. "Will your
majesty read them?"
"lf you wish," replied Leopold at his
haughtiest and coldest
The old man unbuttoncd his coat and
produced coronetcd pocketbook, a
souvenir Of friendship on his last birth
day from the emperor. Leopold saw it
and remembered, as the chancellor
hoped he would.
Here are the kilograms, your mai
esty," he said. "Thc first one Is from
the crown prince of Hungaria."
Have no idea where Lady Mowbray
and daughter are travelling; may he
Rhaetia or north POLE" Adalbert had
written, with characteristic flippancy.
"fIave seen neither for eight years
and scarcely know them. But Lady
NJ. tall, brown old party, with nose like
hobbyhorse; Helen dark, nose like
mothers, wears glasses"
With no betrayal OF feeling, Leopold
laid the telegram on the red plush
seat and unfolded the other.
Pardon delay" the Rhaetian am
bassador's message began. "Have
l'een making inquiries. Lady Now.
bray has been widow for ten years.
Not rich. During sons minority has
let her town and country houses.
Lives much abroad. Very high church,
intellectual, at present in Calcutta.
where daughter Helen .tveant;. In.
ut pretty, is lately engaged to marry
middle aged judge of some distinction"
- "So'-nnd the emperor threw aside
the second bit Of paper-"it Is on such
slight grounds as these that man Of
the world can label two ladies' 'ad-
venturesses.'
The chancellor was bitterly disc D.
pointed. lie had counted on the i'm
preston which these kilograms must
make, and unless Leopold were act
Ing 1t was now certain that love had
driven him out OF his senses.
But IL the emperor were mad he
must be treated accordingly. and the
old statesman condescended to "bluff."
There is still more to tell" he said,
III your majesty has not heard enough,
but | think when you have reflected
you will not wish for more. 1t Is clear
that the women calling themselves
Mowbrnys have had the audacity to
present themselves here under false
colors. They have either deceived
Lady Lambert. who introduced them
to Rhaetian society, or, still more like
ly, they have cleverly forged their let
ters Of Introduction"
"Why didn't you telegraph to Lady
Lambert while your hand was inT
snecrcd Leopold.
II did, your majesty, or, rather not
knowing her present address, wired
friend OF mine, an acquaintance of
hers, begging him to make inquiries
without using my name, but | have
not yet received an answer to that tele-
gram"
Until you do l should think that
even cynlc like yourself might give
two defenseless, inoffensive ladies the
benefit OF the doubt"
"Inoffensive," echoed Won Brett
stein-"lnoffensiye when they came to
this country to ensnare your majesty
through the girls beautyl But, great
heaven, 1t is true that / am growing
old! ! have forgotten to ask your maj
esty whether you have gone 80 far as
to mention the word marriage to Miss
Mowbray?"
"Ill answer that question by another.
DO you really believe that Miss Now
bray came to Rhaetla to 'entrap meT
II do, though 1 scarcely think that
even her ambition few as high as you
are encouraging 1t to soar"
"In case you're right she would have
been oyerJOyed with an offer Of NOR
ganatic marriage"
"OverJoyed is a poor word. = Over
whelmed might be nearer"