The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1910-07-29
CHAPTER XII.
A Princess and a Woman.

floor. She was walking to and fro,
with her hands clasped behind her
back, and her lovely brows knit In
thought the while she dictated let
tiers to her secretary. The boys keen
glance detected that she was pale. AS
he entered and stood by the door, 81
lently waiting, she turned to him Gag
erly and said:
"Well What is this communica-
ton that you have to make to me?
Do you bring me letter."
81 must see you alone" replied
Wang. There was something in his
manner and expression that could not
be denied. The princess turned to-
ward her secretary, saying:
"You may leave the room until l
ring for you, Olga"
"But surely" protested Olga, your
highness does not wish to be left
alone with this stranger? Let me
stay, beg of you, to protect you'll"
Romanovna smiled.
81 fear you would be Of small pro-
lection in case of danger. Besides"
glancing at the boys slight form, this
young man does not look like dan
gerous person. Go, l insist"
The girl gathered up her papers and
left the room at once.
do you know where my master
ISL" demanded Wang in perfect Rus
sian.
Your master?"
Eyes, or my employer, If you will,
though l love to call him my master.
I mean the American, Frederick Court
land Hardy"
ooh! So you are the Korean boy
of whom l have heard-his secretary?
No, my poor boy, do not know where
he is, further than that he is in prison
in ST. Petersburg charged with a ter
rible crime, on presumptive evidence
so strong that his conviction is almost
certain. Was he a kind master to
your" asked the princess. do you
love him very much? Why, what is
the matter?"
Wang turned an ashen color, reeled
as if wounded and caught at the knob
of a door,
"No-nothing,' he gasped, Gust a
little faintness-the heat of the room,
perhaps. | am all right now. Mr..
Hardy is the kindest man that I have
ever known-and the bravest and
truest gentleman that walks the
earth"
81 am glad to hear him so well
spoken Of" said the princess. Her
hands were still clasped behind her
back as she stood gazing fixedly at
Wang. my acquaintance with him
would lead me to have the same opin-
ion, were it not for this terrible accu-
sation, so strongly substantiated by
evidence"
She was talking with this wonderful
boy as though he were an equal.
"And do you believe this accusation
you, who love him? Shame upon
you! Does not your heart tell you
that he is innocent?"
1t was now the Romanovnas turn
to grow pale and stagger, as though
she had been struck physical blow.
"How dare you?" she cried; you
insolent boy! Did he tell you that 1
loved him? But MOI He is gentle
man. He could not do such thing.
But something, though it cannot be
my heart, tells me that he is inno-
cent"
Then something tells you right"
said Wang, quietly, for he did not
kill your worthless cousin. 1 killed
! him!"
"You-you killed him." Her ex-
preston, as she said these words, de-
noted perplexity, quickly followed by
pity. you poor boy." she cried,
your sufferings have affected your
mind. Those little hands have never
committed murder-and such a ter
rible murder!"
Listen" said Wang, land you will
understand and believe. The Prince
Romanoff hated my master from the
beginning of his acquaintance with
him, because he could not make him
his tool. In Japan, where the prince
came as a spy, he attempted to throw
suspicion on Mr.. Hardy, but did not
succeed in getting him into any seri-
Gus trouble. His hatred was increased
on the Amur because it was my mas
ter who saved your life, and not he.
The affair of the duel, in which the
American figured as the real hero by
sparing his life at your request,
changed his animosity into a resent
ment which Mr.. Hardy's death alone
could have satisfied.
Il overheard the prince talking in
the station at Moscow with two of his
associates. He mentioned the name
of Hardy with murderous hate, and
Swallowed them for two days.
learned that the prince was planning
to kill my master. They were going
to have the coach in which he was
travelling blown up with dynamite and
the rumor spread that mistake had
been made. as has happened before,
and that the explosion had been in