Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-14

manil<ins that ingenious horologists contrive
for the amusement of children, big and little
Whether eating, sleeping, driving strolllng,
chatting, or card playing the whereabouts and
occupation of Prince Michael belgrade could
be correctly diagnosed at any given hour of the
dav and night. Fortune delights at times In
tormenting such men with great opportunities.
Prince Michael, standing now with his back to
the fireplace in his wife's boudoir fated to
be an early recipient of that boon for which so
many sigh in vain. ~.
OF course he knew nothing of that. His
round, plump, rosy face, at first sigh aDsurdiy
disproportionate to his dapper and eftemlnate
body, wore a frown of annoyance. In tact, he
had been obliged to think, and the effort IN
variably distressed him. Apparently he had a
big head and big headed men OF dim1nutlve
frame usually possess brains and enjoy using
them But closer inspection revealed that his
Highness' skull resembled an egg, with the
narrow end uppermost =,
Thus, according to Lavater, ne was r1cnly
endowed with all the baser qualities that pander
to self and markedly deficient in the higher at
tributes of humanity. The traits of the gor-
mand, the cynic, the egoist were there; but
the physiognomist would look IN vain tor any
sign of genius or true nobility. Recognition OF
his undoubted rank had, of course, given him
the grand manner. That was unavoidable, and
it was his chief asset. He liked to be addressed
as "Monseigneur" he had certain reputation
for wit he carried himself with the ease that
marks his caste; and he had shown excellent
taste in choosing wife.
The Princess did indeed look the great lady.
Her undoubted beauty, aided by touch of
Western piquancy, had captlvated the Parls
salons of an earlier generation, and those same
salons repaid their debt by conferring the re-
pose the dignity the subtle aura, of distinction,
that constitute the aristocrat IN outward bear
ing. For this reason Princess belgrade was
received in poverty stricken apartments where
her husband would be looked at ask ance, since
the fraved Boulevard Saint German still shell
tiers the most exclusive circle IN France
To-day, unhappy neither Prince Michael
nor his wife in tune for family conclave:
Monseigneur was ruffled, distinctly so, and
Madame was on the verge of tears.
WHEN Alec entered the room he was aware
" of sudden silence, accumulated by
half-repressed sob from his mother. Instantly
he took the blame on his own shoulders.
why, mother DEAR" he said, bending over
her with a tenderness that contrasted strongly
with Prince Michaels affected indifference
what is the natter Surely you and Dad have
not been worrying about me! You can't keep
me in the nest always, you know. And only
want to earn the wherewithal to live. That is
not so very terrible, IS 1t! 80
a wan smile land it occurred to Alec with a
pang that he had never before seen his mother
so deeply moved
81 suppose one must endure the worlds
changes" she murmured. 1T was foolish on
nv part to imagine that things could continue
forever on the same lines; but shall not grieve,
Alec, if no cloud comes between you and me-
1t would break my heart"
"Oh, come nowi' he cried, Stimulating
lively good humor he was far from feeling
what has Dad been saying! Cloudsl Where
are thew? Not around my head, at any rate
| have dispelled the only one that existed, the
silly halo of class that stops fellow from
working because he happens to be born a
Prince. 1t was different for Dad, of course.
NV respected grandfather, Ferdinand VII, was
really King, and Dad was grown man when
the pair of them were slung out of kosnovla.
Sorry, sir; but that is the way they talk history
nowadays. 1t has ceased to be decorous. l am
afraid Paris is largely responsible. You see, we
have an Emperor in the next block, two Kings
in the Avenue Victor Hugo and fugitive ex-
President in the Hotel Metropole. | have seen
the whole lot, even our noble selves, burlesqued
in a Montmartre review. And laughed! That
is the worst part of it. / roared! We looked
such a funny crew! And we were all jolly hard
up, borrowing five-franc pieces from one an
other and offering to sell scepters at ridicu-
lous sacrifice. That came rather near home.
We haven't got what the storybooks call an
embarrassment of riches, have We? So, cup
of tea please, mother, and I'll hear the Cars
edict. 1t is pending. l can see it in his eye"
USUALLY Prince Michael responded to that
~ sort of airy nonsense. When sure of his
audience, he had spoken much more disrespect-
fully of the Partisan band of Kings in exile.