The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-07-30

Did you call me, sir:" he asked
81 most surely did call you. Mr.
Nish,' cried Popof And | told you
l was certain | saw a lady. or rather
a lady's skirt disappearing into that
summer house Who was she?"
II don't know, your eXcellency,"
tremblingly lied Nish.
You ought to know scolded Popofl
you We're standing nearer the sum
mer house than l was. Didn't you see
her ut ALL"
Yes, sir-yes. | saw her, if 1 may
say so. but | don't know who she was.
I really don't r.
WAS she alone?"
NO your eXcellencv. not quite alone
There was, if l may say so-there was
a gentleman with her. At least he
looked like a gentleman. but l didn't
recognize him either"
We'll. well we'll" chucklcd the am
bassador, seating himself in a garden
chair and ewing the summer house
with delightful interest. a little fir
tation, Ell: Gone in there to whisper
sweet nothiugS where no one can in
terrupt 'em. | wonder who they are,
Now, | really wonder. Mr.. Nish,
would not for the world have you think
| am the least lit curious. Rut-Iu
just sit here awhile, for a joke, and
watch them come out. In the mean
time, Mr.. Nish, You might slip around
to the rear of the summer house and
see if there Is another door there. If
there is, you might lock it. Under
stand:"
"Ye-yeS, your eXcellency" mumbled
panic stricken Nish. scuttlng away
among the bushes. The little clern
never paused until he had found Sonia
To her he poured forth the whole
story, gazing with wild horror as she
broke into peal of uncomfortable
laughter.
Suddenly she grew sober.
Her husband will never forgive
her she murmured, half to herself
"He will never understand that its
just a silly, harmless, sentimental talk
they're having"
Memories of the ways of jealous
Marsoyian husbands flashed into her
mind. In that primitive fatherand
wives had been beaten-yes. and muir.
dered-for less Something must be
done. and done quickly"
Don't worry" she consoled the ter
ritied Nish. Say nothing TO any one
else. III get Nine. Popoff out OF the
scrape if | can"
Before Nish could reply she had dis
appeared down path leading to the
rear door of the summer house.
Meantime Popoff, his curiosity mas
tering him, had left his seGt Stealing
forward on tiptoe, he put his eye to
the keyhole of the wicker door
He had scarcely bent over this when
Danilo, happening to pass by on HIS
way to the gate. paused in amazement
at sight of the Mdrsoyian ambassador
thus assuming the role of Paul Pry.
''Why, hello. old chap" cried the
prince. What are you up to-"
Hush" warned Popof in an excited
whisper "A lady went into the sum
mer house q few minutes ago with
gentleman. | cant see them very
clearly. There's too much fluff in the
keyhole. But they're sitting opposite
eacA other with only little table be-
tween them. The lady's back is to
me, but It somehow looks familiar
The man is talking as earnestly as if
he were trying 10 borrow moneF. Now
he's bending across and kissing her
hand, and she doesn't seem to mind
It's-why, bless my soul, it's that fel-
low De Jolidon? Well, we'll, OF all
things, Now, if only the lady would
turn her face so could see her.
Come away, sir" begged Danilo
the whole situation bursting upon his
mind. He caught Popoff's sleeve, but
the ambassador shook him off
Let me alone" he whispered. Cant
you see what it all means? 1t means
we've found the lady De Joldon's in
love with the very woman we've
both been looking for! And now if
she'll just turn her head a little I'll be
able TO see her face and then
Then you don't know who she Isl"
queried Danilo.
NO. But IlI'-
Then take my advice and don't try
to find out. Let well enough alone
Come away old chap. and
mo, no. There; you pulled my head
away just as she was turning around.
I'd have seen her in another second.
They're getting up Maybe they'll 60
out by the other door, and then shan't
be able to know Who
let me do the looking" suggested
Danilo. IF either of us has to play
the eavcsdropper III
mo. II is my place" asserted Pop
off. But I'll bet you hundred francs
it's Nine. Nova Kovitch."
at would be like stealing a drunken
mans watch. | won't take the bet.
Come away. sir, and let the matter
drop where it is. For your own hap
piness''-
But Popoff was once more at the key
hole.
They're standing up to CO." he re
ported Now she's beginning to face
this way. It's Oh. good Lordr'
The poor old man staggered away
from the door as though struck be-
H.. 4. ,t,. Ia.