Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-09-03

: pedestrians, carriages and automobiles
While visible at intervals near at hand
seemingly and yet curiously remote, aloof
the monument, like a silver arrow, pierced
the still air pointing heavenward.
Occasionally asking his way and al
ways keeping diligent eye on the lamp
posts, the foreigner found himself at last
walking down the cloistered aiSles of
Massachusetts avenue, where he began to
look queStionngly at the different house
fronts he was passing and consult the
card in his hand
Stopping before a white exterior of or
nate lines framed by an Italian garden,
he glanced up at the slightly bowed shut
ters and then, coming 10 a decision, step
ped rapidly along the carriage drive and
lifted the ponderous brass knocker.
Is Mrs. Waring at home?' he asked
in due time of the functionary in livery
who opened the door, and, receiving an
answer in the Affirmative followed sec
ond feotman into great hall, whose
Shrouded chandeliers and vast uncovered
/ expanSe suggested that its hostess was
only there on the wing for other latitudes
Following his guide up wide, shallow
staircase he stopped before a curtained
/ door, long enough to have the portiere
! drawn back and hear his name announc-
! ed in muhled tones.
! Before him was unmitigatcd dimness
/ at first. out of which presently a circle
OF black dots resolved themselves, sur
rounding a white object-all of this de-
| yelopiug on nearer view into Gussie War
ing, seraphically mundane figure in
crepe de chine behind her tea table, with
half dozen men around her.
Il hoped you would come in" she said,
holding out a hand of welcome to the
| newcomer. Then, turning gayly to her
little court, This is the Prince del Pine,
arrived yesterday in America-the very
latest thing out, you see. We must make
the most of him, my friends for he's only
here for a few days"
Motioning the honored guest to chair
beside her, she introduced him in her
characteristic, off-hand fashion to the
men about him, and resumed her tetea-
tete with the stodgy-looking Senator on
her other side.
The rest of the room looked at the
Prince del Pine.
W nat uOeS 1OuT IllSuueSS luluh OI
our little village?" asked stout man
savoring Enthusiastically of the far West.
Plenty of room to turn about in, eh?"
The supposed nobeman smiled gra-
ciously.
ITO turn around in?" he calculated, in
his precise English. After the maelstrom
of your New York, Washington seems to
me a blessed retreat-in truth a rest
cure. But it is charmlng-this place.
Everywhere fine houses, wide bOuleVards
well-dressed men, and as for your far
famed American Woman-but-(h he made
a bow toward the figure behind the tea
tablet made her acquaintance five days
ago. you see.'
Conscious that he was acquitting him
self we'll. he broke off, little realizing the
ordeal Fate had in store for him.
prince" Gussie had deserted the
Senator and was smiling over her shoul-
der with covert mischief in her half-clos
ed eyes. You will have to prove an alib.
We have all been reading about you in
the morning Post"
She bent forward with the paper in
her hand. See Your lIighness Over
thereon that column to your right"
Adjusting his monoclo, the man she ad
dressed glanced over the sheet with an
air Of polite interest.
what can it be-" he exclaimed, even
as he realized with instructive certainty
what he should find.
"Ah! This sounds alarming" And
with apparent amazement, he read aloud:
Special from the Liverpool Daily
transcripts:
1T has just transpired that a certain
patient who is occupying a private room
in the Queens Hospital here is no less
person than the Prince Roderigo del
Pine. whose anticipated trip to America
was interrupted by the attack of measles
from which he is just recovering 1t is
hoped that the distinguished invalid will
soon be able to carry out his first plans"
SO this was the end of the scarlet fever
scare and Alceste's well-guarded secret.
In spite of his precautions, the truth was
out Something had gone wrong Some
one had bundered
Pulling himself together with a decided
effort, the chauffeur looked up to find
seven pairs of eyes confronting him with
varying degrees Of interest and curiosity.
1t was a difficult situation to carry off. !
appealing irresistbly to the adventurer's
love of risk. to the actors instinct for
a dramatic climax.
This is an cquivocal position in which
| find myself How am | to prove an
alibi?" he CALCULATED solemnly.
That is your affair."
Throwing his head back he faced them
squarely, daringly, his thin lips twitch-