Evening star., 1909-04-18
ONE OF THE CAREWS
By Owen Oliver
Drawing by Will Foster

Drawing by Will Foster
II HAD draped myself in an antimacassar and
tablecloth and posed before the looking glass for
half an hour in imitation of the actress who
to be the next victim of my mmicry. After that
had spent ten minutes trying to get the expression
presenting on the boards Then flung the draper
les at my little puppy dog and WE went on my hands
ing furiously, when Jane came in to announce that
gentleman wished to me. He was " a real gentle
man, ;, she added, with glance at my disordered
hair So made myself very smart and went down
to see him l thought he might be newspaper
man in disguise We poor players live by the favor
of the press.
l saw at glance that he was neither an inter
viewer nor theatrical agent. l suspected him of
being an admrer and stood near the bell-not SO
near as might have stood if he had been less pre-
possessing. He was decidedly attractive young
man. and he smiled very charmingly.
Miss Ninette Burke, the famous mimic?" he
suggested ggss 49,. -. 80 ..a,o,r oouuoo.os .,e
you are famous. apologize for not know ing you.
But l am not, - he stated, with another of his
winning smiles; merely the secretary to famous
"Oh, cried. She was an exile from Russia
and said to be the center Of international complica
tons. Her portraits were in every illustrated paper
1.-The Princess is a little too famous, he went on
"She would be happier if she could escape fame
and the eye of that country OF ours.
Are you Russian?" | asked doubtfully The
name on his card was Alexis Rustof: but suspected
that it not his real name, any more than mine
by my father My mother Irish l wish
could claim whole countryship with you. He bow
ed .% politely y -. oor,o =. +ou u,o .,.. s.no.o,v
mo. The pleasure is only incidental l want
to make business arrangement with you Can
rely upon your discretion, if tell you the facts?"
IF you tell me the facts, you will have to rely
upon my discretion, | retorted. 1T is not among
the virtues with which am usually credited:
You discreet enough to avoid rash prom
he ink I "a ntrtrSt
Every we'll, !" said cheerfully. Only trust me
quickly, if at all. l am busy l motioned to
chair, and he sat down
THE position is this !" he explained The Prin-
cess wishes to disappear; to find refuge abroad
where she can live private lady. Her intention
is to remain such always but they would not be-
ieve that in Russia. Nothing but her death will
satisfy them 1t is useless fly if she can be follow
ed She would not be safe in-where she pro-
poses to go-as here. if she discovered. She
must get right from the spies that surround her
To do that, she must have several hours clear start
while they think that they still have their eyes upon
her. You understand?
Il understand" !" l assented She wishes me
to initiate her. and to take her place while she gets
away"
understanding he stated Yes; but it is we
who wish you to initiate her. who are faithful to
her The Princess herself refuses entertain such
an idea"
He extended his arms with sweep: and was
convinced at last that he was half foreign. These
involuntary gestures are mmics alphabet Her
life is always at risk. he told me. all day and
every day She will not put her burden upon an
other. 4"
And you woud'
''And / would -
why do you tell me of the risk?'
He looked at me very steadily :" For one reason
only" he said. For the Princess | would sacrifice
anyone unhesitatingly and unscrupulously myself
you! But if did not tell you of the risk and she
knew. she would despise ME and hate me- am
a who loves the Princess!"
AS,If fho~,T ho1 49,