The Marshall republican., 1908-08-21

nave teen neitner TOT e1guI yenfs
and scarcely know them. But Lady
NJ. tall. brown old party. with lose like
hobbyhorse; Helen dark. nose like
mothers. wears glasses"
With no betrayal OF feeling. Leopold
laid the telegram on the red plush
sent and unfolded the other.
Pardon delay" the Rbaetisn an.
bassador's message began. Have
i,een making inquiries. Lady Now.
bray has been widow for ten yenrs.
Not rich. During cons minority has
let her town aud country houses.
Lives much abroad. Very high church.
intellectual. at present In Calcutta.
where daughter Helen. tweDty.eight,
not pretty. IL lntely engaged to hurry
middle aged judge of some distinction"
''so"-nnd the emperor throw aside
the second bit Of puper-"it 10 on such
slight grounds M these that a man Of
the world can label two ladies 'ad.
venturesses.'"
The chancellor was bitterly disnp.
pointed. He had counted on the i'm
precision which these kilograms must
make. and unless Leopold were act
Ing II was now certain that love had
driven him out Of his senses
But II the emperor were mad he
must be treated accordingly. and the
There IN still more TO tell" he said.
III your majesty has not heard enough.
but I think when you have reflected
you will not wish for II Is clear
thnt the women calling themselves
Mowbrays have had the audacity to
present themselves here under fnise
colors. They have either deceived
Lady Lambert. who introduced them
70 Rhaetian society. or. stiil more like.
~. they have cleverly forged their let.
tiers Of introduction"
"why didn't you telegraph to Lady
Lambert while your hand was Int"
sneered Leopold.
II did. your majesty. or. rather. not
knowing her present address. ] wired
q friend OF mine. Tn 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 I shooid think that
even q cynic like yourself might give
two defenseless. i~noffensive ladies the
benefit ~ the doubt"
"~Inonensive." echoed Won Brett.
stein "inofYensive when they came to
this country to nsnare your majesty
through the girls beauty! But. great
hea Il is true that I am growing
old! have forgotten to ask your maj
esty whether you have gone 90 far "a
to mention the word marriage TO Miss
howbrayr
'IIl answer that question by another
I DO you really believe that Miss Now
bray came to Rhnetia to 'entrap' mer
~ do. though ! scarcely think thai
even her ambition few 40 high a. YOU
are encouraging II to soar"
"In case you're right she would have
been overjoyed with an offer Of NOR
ganatic marriage"
"Overjoyed Il q poor word. Over
whelmed might be nearer"
Yet ! tell you she refused me laS
night and 10 leaving Rhastis todaJ
rather than listen to further entries
ties"
Leopold bent forward to launch thu
thunderbolt. his brown hands on bill
knees. bis eyes eager. The memories
half bitter. half sweet. called up b.
his own words caused Virginia to ap
pear more beautiful. more desirable
ever than before.
He was delighted with the expires
sion Of the chancellor's face. Nov
what arguments have you ieftf' b
broke out in the brief silence.
IAN had before and many new
ones. for what your majesty has sal
shows the lady more ambitious, NOR
astute. therefore more dangerous. thal
I had guessed. She staked everythinV
on the power Of her charms. and sh
might have won had you not an oil
servant who wouldn't BE- fooled by tn
witcheries of q fair Helen"
~She has won." said leopold. the
quickly: God forgive mi for chimin
In with your bitter humor. a. II she'
played a game. BY simply being be.
self she has OF me. such 10 ! an
She's proved that II she cares at q
It's for the man and not the empero
since she called the offer you think .
magnificent an insult. Yes. chance
Tor. that was the word she used. an
II was almost the last she said to M
which IL the reason I'm travelling Il
day. And none Of your boasted proof
can hold me back"
by heaven. your majesty must loo
upon yourself from the point OF VIE
you credit to the girl! You forget u
: emperor In the man."
! THE two need not be separated"
"Lovs indeed makes men blind q
spares not the eyes Of EMPEROR"
"Tvs pledged myself to bear vii
; you. chancellor"
!. "And I know yourl keep your won
! must speak for Rhaetia and yos
better self. You are following this
! lady to give her your empire fer
|. toy"
IN 4 $1,000