Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-18
CHAPTER XVI-Continued.

Gretchen. brave, kindly, beautiful Crotch
en-. Now, by the Lord. that should not
be, He would wiring the winners neck.
He snapped the collar viciously. He was
not In an amiable mood this fair Septem-
her morning. And when some one ham
mered on the door he called sharply:
Grumbach entered.
You are angry about something" he
said.
$50 ] am. but you are always well
come"
You have oversight"
NO; on the contrary"
Poker"
After fashion" said Carmichael, the
grumble gone from his voice. II was
beaten by three of a kind
500
But found good hand later"
kings
"FOur2'
"Oh. no; only one. 1 haven't drawn
yet
You are not telling me ALL
mo. You are going to the ball to-
night?"
Il would not miss it for five thousand
crowns" sadly.
"You look as If you were going to a
1uneTat lnSIedQ OF the greatest event OF
the year in Dreiberg.''
Il didn't sleep well either
"Out?'
mo; one does not have to go out in
order not to Sleep
I'D like to know what's going on in
that bullet head of yours"
Nothing is going on; everything has
stopped"
Cant you make a confidant Of me,
Hans?"
when you are ready it may be too
late. / leave Dreiberg for good IN few
weeks
Nor For the first time Grumbach
showed interest.
Il have resigned the consulship."
And for what reaSon!
Carmichael silently drew on his coat.
''Ach! So you have one, too?'
"One what?''
Zone secret
Yes. But it's the kind we can't talk
II understand. Have you had break
fast?'
No"
Neither have I. Let us go together.
It may be we need each others company
this morning. You and / wont have to
bother about talking
You make good comrade, Hans"
There was large crowd outside the
palace that night, which was clear and
starry. A troop OF cavalry patrolled the
fence. Carriage after carriage rolled in
through the gates. coming directly from
the opera. 1t was II O'Clock. All the
great i'm the duchy were on hand that
night. Often a cheer rose from the
ranks of the outsiders as some popular
1t was an orderly crowd, jostling and
good natured, held only by curiosity.
Every window I'm the palace presented q
glowing square OF light; and beams crisis
crossed the emerald lawns and died In
the arms of the lurking shadows. The
gardens were Illuminated besides. It was
fairyland. paid for by those who were not
entitled to enter. Few, however. thought
of this inconsistency. A duchy Is duchy;
nothing more need be said.
Carmichael was naturally democratic
To ride a block in carriage was to him
a waste of time. And he rather liked to
shoulder into press. With the aid of his
cane and frequent push Of the elbow
he worked his way to the gates. And
close by the sentry box he saw Gretchen
and her vintner. Carmichael could not
resist stopping a moment. He raised his
hat to Gretchen, to the wonder of those
nearest The vintner would have gladly
disappeared. but the human wall behind
lessly alarmed. Carmichael only smiled
ironically.
do you know where the American con-
sulate is?'' he asked low, SO that none
but Gretchen and the vintner heard.
Yes said the vintner, blushing with
shame. 81 live above the agency
Good. I shall expect to see You in the
morning"
But the vintner was determined that he
shouldn't. He would be at work in the
royal vineyards on the morrow.
Tomorrow" repeated Gretchen. to
whom this byplay was a blank. why
should he wish to see your
"Who knows? Let us be going They
L. So
VERY WE'LL" acquiesced Gretchen, some
what disappointed. She wanted to see all
there was to be seen.
TT is half-after TO-" he added. as If to
put forward some logical excuse for leav-
ing at this moment.
A man followed them all the way to the
krumerweg.
Carmichael threw himself eagerly into
the gayety of the dance. Never had he
seen the ballroom so brilliant with color.
Among all those there his was the one
somber dress. The white cambria stock
and the frill in his shirt were the only
gay touches. 1t was not his fault-the
rules of the service compelled him thus
to dress. But be needed no brass or cloth
Of gold. There was not male head
among all the others to compare with his.
He was an accomplished Wal1zer. after
the manner of that day. when one went
round and round like some mechanical
toy wound up. Strauss and Waldteufel
sailors wives till they were breathless
and ambassadors daughters til they no
longer knew or cared where they were.
He was full of subtle deviltry this night,
with an undercurrent of malice toward
every one and himself in particular. This
would be the last affair of the kind for
him and he wanted a full memory of 1t.
Between times he exchanged jest or
two with the chancellor or talked battles
with old Ducwitz; twice he caught the
grand dukes eye. but there was only
friendly nod from that august person
age, no invitation to talk. Thrice, while
on the floor. her 1lighness passed him; but
there was never a smile, never a glance.
He became careless and reckless. He
at her even IL the duke threw a regiment
in between. The Irish blood in him
burned tonight capable of any folly.
He no longer danced. He waited and
watched; and it was during one of these
waits that he saw Grumbach in the gal
lery.
Nov, what the devil is the Dutchman
doing with a pair of opera glasses!'
It required some time and patience to
discover the object OF this singular at
tention on the part Of Grumbach. Car
michael was finally convinced that this
object was no less a person than her
serene highness!
Later her highness stood before one of
the long windows in the conservatory
listlessly watching the people in the
square. And these poor fools envied her.
To envy her. who was q prisoner. chat
tel to be exchanged for wars immunity.
who was princess in name. but cipher
In fact! All was wrong with the world.
She had stolen out of the ballroom. the
Little she cared whether they missed her
~, not She left the window and sat on