Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26


appealed to the officer in charge of
the escort brief conversation
with official elected the fact that Sobiesk awaited
Prince Michaes commands.
Then bring Prince Michael here" said Poluski.
'Monsieur!' An astounded f1unky could say
more; but this impudent hunchback was in no wise
Exactly, Monsieur Felix Poluski wishes to
his Excelency at once. Tell him that, and it will
suffice.
The lackey was forced to yield and, much to his
surprise, Prince Michael did not hesitate an instant
in obeying that imperative summons An expression
of annoyance fitted his ford features when
he found Poluski standing the trembling waiter
but he tackled the situation with nonchaance.
Have you been here long, Felix?' he INQUIRED:
q No one told me you had arrived Your young lady
friend has been taken to the Princess-at her own
request, l given to understand Dreadful bust
ness, this unforeseen attack on my SON. ism IT. l
must confess that didn't credit word of it when
this poor fellow rushed in with his broken tale All,
by the way, l gave some orders in my alarm that
may nave been I'M T. e mf aug mana
His Majesty will see to it that you are suitably
rewarded" he said to Sobieski. meanwhile, you
have nv hearty thanks, and regret that any hasty
words of mine should have caused you inconvenience.
You can go at once, of course
So5ieski made off, well pleased that his stormy
career in the whirlpool of state affairs ended.
But Felix shook hands with him and said quietly:
Il will not forget.
Prince Michael seized Poluski's arm with fine
assumption of dignifed cordiaity So it was really
you who sent that stammering youth with such an
about it. Was Alec actually in perilf'
He drew Felix up the stairs, out of earshot of the
servants and orderlies gathered in the wide hall.
Felix shifted
odd thing" he grinned You are Prince and
brandy when disturbed. But | have the
better of you in one respect, my dear Michael. My
hand doesn't shake. Now yours
The clasp on his arm loosened, lost some of it's
friendliness, and Prince belgrade stood for an in
slant on the stairs. Il tried to show calm front
before the others; but the predicament my son was
in he
MY case exactly" said Felix. loan diagnosed
the symptoms and dosed me with cognac. You,
imagine, were your own physician.
"Ah, since you mention the lady, who is she?
Joan? female divinity, one of the few charm
ing women left in the world
'Admirable! One can associate those qualities
with residence in Paris; but in Delgratz Felix, one
finds them unusual-shall l say out of placer"
If were you Monseigneur, l should learn to re-
gard her in totally different light oan ought to
be at home here, because she is your prospective
daughter in law"
MICHAEL BELGRADE could govern his
AvA system with some measure of success when
words were the only weapons that threatened. He
did not finch now but threw open the door of the
nearest the upper floor 1t CHANGED to be
the apartment in which President Nesimir had re-
ceived Alec and Stampoff on that memorable morn
ing barely month ago when the young King
came to Delgratz to claim his patrimony. Neither
man was aware of the coincidence that led Michael
to slam the door, place his back against it, and
gurgle question:
Are you testing Felix"
Quarter of an hour ago the point of be-
ing introduced to grim parsonage who would have
squeezed the last joke out of me-, said Pousk
{" His name was Death who steps with even stride
from the huts of the poor to the palace of the
King and he gave me such fright, that | shall
Why man, don't you realize that l have been
under this roof fully five minutes without expert
encing the slightest desire to sng?"
But Felix, do be in earnest for What is
this you tell me? How Alexis III. marry this
woman, this adventuress?''
Pouskis big gray eyes narrowed into Sits and
the hump of his shoulders became more pronounced
be- drCo1ed forward little his