Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-07-24

dowa's villa. just outside Paris,
were gayly decorated for a
lawn fete The grounds were
dotted with laughing groups Of bright
ly dressed men and women, for Sonia
had particularly requested that all her
Marsovian guests wear their pictur-
esque native costume, and the result
was a veritable Kaleidoscope carnival
of color, perfect riot OF gorgeous
hues and striking figures.
Ambassador Popoff. his long, lean
figure draped in vivid green, was pac-
Ing the alleys OF the garden near the
entrance gate. pausing nervously now
and again to scan late arrivals In
search OF some one. At length he de-
scried the man he sought. Nish was
Just bustling into the grounds, and the
ambassador at once beckoned to him.
"Now, then Mr.. Nish," cried Popofr
as soon as the little clerk had sham
bled within earshot II told you to
bring Prince Danilo here and not to
leave him for an instant until
HE wouldn't let me stay" explained
Eish, HE says he won't come. He's
giving party-if / may say SO,
very gay
And for the sake of a lot OF pleas
ure seeking idlers the prince refuses
to obey my orders and come to Nine.
Sonia's2"
"Yes, your excellency. He positively
IN nj xDhA \
positively refuses l. Here he Is now!"
Danilo, resplendent in the uniform of
q Marsovian captain Of hussars, stroll
cd nonchalanuy forward, with a care
less nod that quite ignored the ambas-
sador's glare Of reproof at his late
ness.
IL understand. prince" began Popofr
coldly, that you positively refused to
sbey my
80 did. 80 l did" assented Danilo
cheerfully But at the last moment
changed my mind and my clothes. aud
here | am. I've postponed my party
for an hour or 30. You see. remem-
bered my promise TO help you scare
away from the widow any Frenchman
who seemed inclined to make love to
her. That's why came"
"Goodr' approved Popolf. rubbing his
hands gleefully. VERY good! And
where do you expect to hegin?'
with the most dangerous suitor.
Who Is he2"
We'll" replied Popoff confdentially,
"Fve had my eye on her, and II seems
to me that DE Joldon"-
abe Jolidon!' exclaimed Danilo,
Impossible"
why impossible, pray? think |
have as good eyes as any man.
think, sir, | can detect love when
see IT, Aud from the way De Jolidon
looks at the widow man, don't
know II single thing that doesn't point
toward his being In love with her,
fr'-
IF l may say so. your excellency,"
put In Nlsh, shuttllng nervously, 81
think could tell you OF single thing,
or, rather he added. chuckling. "when
l say single | mean married"
"Mr Nih," interrupted Popoff. ~
you can stop wriggiing around like an
inebriated centlped long enough to
talk plainly, will you do ME the honor
to put your blitherings into plain
words p
"well, your excellency." stammered
Nsh. II happen TO know NJ. de Joll.
don Is already head over heels I'm love
with lady who has a husband. He
Mr.. Nish," Numbered Popofr, you
are demeanlng yourself TO the con-
temptible act OF talking scandal! Are
you aware OF that Mr.. Nlsh? II So,
SO on talking II and tell me who she
Is"
You foolw whispered DanIlo In
Nlsh's ear Everybody but the am.
bassador himself knows It is Nine.
Ppon whom DE Jolidon loves. Be
careful!'
We'll. Mr., Nish." repeated Popoir
maJestically as he eyed the squlrmlng
clerk with lofty majesty. I'm walt
Ing 10 hear the name OF the lady thar
DE Jolidon is in love with"
"He-he neglected to tell me. your
excelency," sputtered Nlsh.
"rhen," decided the ambassador, 81
shall discover her by diplomatic means,
and when | find who she is she shall
use her influence to lure De Jolidon
away from the widow Prince, Will
you help me In thlsY
Leave It all 10 me-" suggested Da-
milo, with startling willingness. Don't
try TO learn her identity yourself. Let
me attend 10 the whole matter"
"All right" consented Popo6. 1T
Will be n good lesson in diplomacy FOR
you. Perhaps l cen put you on the
right track"