New-York tribune., 1909-11-21

7
his mothers grief when his father entered Sc
cretly on tiptOe with the hushed voice and
stealthy AIR OF a COnspIratOr. He carried a par
eel. long and narrow, wrapped IN brown paper.
i have been consumed with anxiety said
he. Julius came and warned me that your
departure from Paris ought 70 be InCOgnitO.
This Is wise; so | remain king-elect till YOU
reach Delgratz. The newspapers are pesterIng
me 10 declare a program. They all expect that
shall leave Paris tonight or earlV tomorrow.
Indeed, imPudent fellow representing lie
SOIr says that If | don't beStIr myself / shall
be Christened the Sluggard King. But | shall
humbug them finely Leave that % me. Your
portmanteaus have been snuggled out by way
Of the servants quarters, and YOU must vanish
unseen. Buy ticket for Vienna, ignore Stamp
of during the journey, accept nv blessing
take this" He held out the parcel
What is IL" inquired Alec
My fathers sword your grandiather's
sword / have kept II bright for YOU"
Alec squirmed. He knew the weapon.
curved sirnitar inlaid with gold. and reposing IN
a sCabbard OF gilt metal and purple velvet. In
ITS wrapping OF brown paper and twlne II sus-
piCiOuSlv resembled a Chlld'S TOW and Prince
Nichael's grandiloquent manner added a touch
of buttOOnery 10 a farewell scene made poignant
by a wOman's tears.
shall use IL only on the skulls Of eminent
personages,' said Alec gravely. In truth, this
ParisIan kIngshlp was rapidly becoming farci-
cal. What line, what a situation for that
review
But there was worse TO come. Checked in his
Outburst OF family pride MOnseigneur became
practical What Of Dumont'" said he.
Tie was touched. but he knocked of FIVE
hundred francs "
All. bah! l rather hoped-weu must re-
turn 10 the salon and play my part. Remem-
Der, YOU Will see no one except a servant At the
Care de Est. Julius has arranged passports,
everything"
He is taking an extraordinary interest in
me OF course, If pull through, he becomes
heir preSumptive. "
"Parbleui That IS so. But-you viii
marry. Bide your time, though. Choose
Queen who his shifty eyes fell on the trem-
bling form of his wife, who had remained
strangely silent during this somewhat strained
interview -'w who Will be good a wife To YOU
as your mother has been 70 me. Farewell.
May God guard yOui
Twice IN one day had the pOmpous little man
been betrayed INTO an avowal OF honest SentI-
ment. but he soon recovered Once reeStab-
hShed on the hearthrug, with his eyeglaSS prop
erly adjusted his hands tucked under his coat
tails when they were not emphasizing some well
turned phrase. Prince Michael enjoyed himself
hugely.
And then Alec clasped his mother in his arms
She was almost InCOheTent with terror. Bid
him remain she dare not; she lacked the force
of character that such a step demanded. She
had gwen too many years % this Chimera of
royalty now suddenly grown into monster to
be Sated only bV the sacrifice of her SON But
she mOurned as if he was already dead and a
lump rose in Alec's throat. He had ALWAYS
loved his mother; his father had ever been
remote. dignihed trifier. a poser. The three
held nothing IN common. IL could hardly be
doubted that every good quality of mind and
body the boy possessed was a debt 70 the
broken hearted woman now Clinging TO him IN
very frenzy of lamentatiOn. Small wonder
IT his eyes We're misty and his voice Chokedl
All II Joan but knew of this Sorrowing mothers
plight. surely she would come 70 herl
A I last he tore himself away. Grasping that
ridiculous parcel. he hurredlv descended
a back staircase. Owing 20 the paternal watch
tulneSS that the French Government exercises
over ITS subjects, he was obliged To- pass the
concierge; but none paid heed 70 HIM. II II
came 10 that. all Paris would guffaw al the no.
ton OF dear Aec'S becoming a fhbuster.
lie hailed a passing cab. II he would catch
ms tram. they must drive furiouSlv, which Is
nothing new IN Paris. Climbing the Rue La
Fayette. he passed Count Julius Marulitch and
ConStantine Behani coming the other way in an
open victoria. They were SO deeply engaged
IN conversation that they did not see him
luluS was talking and the Greek listening IL
flashed INTO AlecS mind that the presence in
Pans OF the (TrrfL m h. a. IL. IA