The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-07-19

nOydl f1lBnHcSS SalQ tHdL as mon
sieur had not yet engaged a valet
for the voyage, perhaps I might
be accepted. l would be very glad
to serve monsieur"
Every WE'LL" Allard assented.
Stanief was not to be contradicted,
but certainly embarrassment seem.
ed unavoidable in view Of an alb.
sent wardrobe. Doncla had been
of decidedly different figure from
his successor. "What time is it?''
Nearly ten o'clock, monsieur
and he approached and kissed the
hand outside the coverlet before
the surprised American could oh.
ject. Every thanks, monsieur; ]
am monsieur's devoted servant, II
pleases monsieur to rise?"
"I-suppose SO. The yacht has
stopped"
Eyes, monsieur. We are anchor
ed outside the great city, New York
since many hours"
Allard had yet to learn his Stan.
ief; the time was to come, when
to know an affair in his charge was
to abandon anxiety concerning it.
The question of the wardrobe was
embarrrassingly only in its over.
whelming answer. Never even in
the other days had Allard, natural
ly simple in his tastes, provided
himself with the lavish and sybar-
itic completeness he found awaiting
him now. No detail was forgotten;
the very toilet table bore its shin
ing array, each dainty article car.
rying the correct monogram. ]. L.
A. Marveling, Allard pictured what
it means to have produced this in
one night; and vaguely realized
that there must be deeper object
than mere consideration for his
comfort behind all this Unnecessary
elaboration.
Breakfast was served in his own
miniature salon.
Ills Royal Higness is awaken"
he inquired.
Monsieur. his Royal Highness
went ashore an hour ago, to pay
farewell visits of ceremony"
They were to sail soon. then. Al
lard's pulses Quickened with re-
lief at the prospect. Remember
ing Stanief's expressive injunction
to show himself at ease and make
friends with his new companions,
he resolved to go on deck. But
before the white and silver writing
desk he fingered wistfully.
you can mail a letter for me,
Vladimir"
Certainly, monsieur"
The letter must be convincing,
and not dangerous in the wrong
hands. With a tenderness that was
almost pain he recalled the last
signed letter to his brother, writ
ten on that final night at home,
while Robert sat by with hidden
eyes. A letter he had headed South
America, the date blank, to be
used as explanation to Theodore
and her mother if the crash came
and he disappeared for years.
The thick cream-tinted paper
was convincing in itself, bearing
in gilt letters the name of the
yacht, Nadeia.
My Dear Old Robert:
l have Just returned from the
South, and Of course intended to
come straight home. But l met
II. r. II. the Grand Duke Feodor
Stanief, who has been visiting the
United States, and he is taking me
with him as secretary. I owe HIM
more than l can tell you, or you
guess, BERTHE; and this Is a service
of love. l will write again; you
know there was no opportunity
where l have been.
Give my love to Aunt Rose and
Theo-is she quite my sister by
this time?
Very happily and lovingly. my
brother,
Your brother,
JOHN ALLARD.
Like a girl he touched the letter
to his lips before putting It in
the envelope. Robert would watch
the eastern newspapers, he knew,
and couple the stories together.
The lower Hudson was swept by
a strong salt wind when Allard
reached the deck, green and white
waves running under the bright
sunshine and dashed to swirling
froth by the innumerable boats
blowing back and forth. On the
yacht everything was activity and
preparation. all sound overborne
by the crash Of loading coal. The
busy Captain Delsar left his affairs
and came to greet the guest punct-
iliously, if hurriedly.
"We sail this morning." he ex-
planned, land you will understand
all that involves for me, mon
sieur?"
Allarad responded cordially: 1t
was so wonderful. so beautiful. just
to meet other men again and be
himself. And presently Lieutenant
Vasili came to add his cheerful
greeting and lead the way to the
forward deck, where wicker chairs
and small tables stood under a gay
scarlet awning.
Ito be continued)