Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-06-27


lawn fete. The grounds were
dotted with laughing groups of bright
" 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, a 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-
serted the man he sought. Nish was
just bustling into the grounds, and the
ambassador at once beckoned to him.
''Now, then, Mr.. Nish," cried Popoff
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
Nish. HE says he won't come. He's
giving a party-if l may say so,
very gay
''And for the sake of lot of pleas
ure seeking idlers the prince refuses
to obey my orders and come to Nine.
Sonia'sY
Eyes. your excellency. He positively
refuses to come. And when l say
positively refuses L Here he is now!''
Danilo, respondent in the uniform Of
a Marsovian captain of hussars, stroll
ed nonchalantly forward, with a care
less nod that quite ignored the ambas-
sadorAs glare of reproof at his late
ness.
II understand, prince" began Popoff
coldly, that you positively refused to
obey N.Y.
$50 did, so did," assented Danilo
cheerfully. "But at the last moment l
changed my mind and my clothes. and
here / am. I've postponed my party
for an hour or so. 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 Popoff, rubbing his
hands gleefully. Every good! And
where DO you expect to beginT'
with the most dangerous sutton.
Who is he?"
WELL" replied Popon confdentially,
"I've had my eye on her, and 1t seems
to me that De Jolidon"-
'De Jolidonv exclaimed Danilo.
"Impossible!"
"Why impossible, pray? / think I
have as good eyes as any man. /
think, sir, / can detect love when /
see it. And from the way De Jolidon
looks at the widow-why, man, don't
know a single thing that doesn't point
toward his being in love with her.
If''-
eff 1 may say so, your excellency,"
put in Nish, shutting nervously, II
think could tell you of a single thing,
or, rather" he added, chuckling, when
say Single ] mean married."
"NIr. Nish," interrupted Popoff, eff
you can stop wriggling around like an
inebriated centiped long enough to
talk plainly, will you do me the honor
to put your blitherings into plain
words?''
well. your excellency," stammered
Nish, IL happen to know NJ de JOLT
don is already head over heels In love
with lady who has husband. He"-
'Mr. Nish," Numbered Popoff, you
are demeaning yourself to the con-
temptible act of talking scandal! Are
you aware Of mat, Mr.. Nish? II SO,
go on talking it and tell me who she
isl
you foolv whispered Danilo In
Nish's ear. Everybody but the am
bassador himself knows it is Nine.
Popoff whom De Jolidon loves. Be
carefulw
"Wel, Mr.. Nish," repeated Popoff
majestically as he eyed the squirming
clerk with lofty majesty, "I'm wait
ing to hear the name Of the lady that
De Jolidon is in love with"
"He-he neglected to tell me, your
excellency," sputtered Nish.
"Then," decided the ambassador, 81
shall discover her by diplomatic means,
and when l find who she is she shall
use her influence to lure De Jolidon
away from the widow. Prince, will
you help me in this?''
Leave it all to me-" suggested Da-
milo, with startling willingness. Don't
try to learn her identity yourself. Let
me attend to the whole matter"
"All right" consented Popoff. "It
will be a good lesson in diplomacy for
you. Perhaps can put you on the
right track"
The ambassador drew an ivory fan
from his pocket
Last night at the embassy ball."
said he, Nova Kovitch, who used to
be one of my attaches, brought me
this. He was crazy with jealousy.
He'd lust nickad I'D the fan: said IL