Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24
CHAPTER X-Continued.


lap He had never before believed that
a woman could be frank, never imagined
one who hated secrets" 1t was as If
he stood on the threshold of room all
perfume and Wilderness: and not the
most accomplished coquette could have
devised a means of moving him so pro-
foundly.
"Al my life / shall remember that you
gave me your confidence. Iria. he an
swered. with exquisite deicacy and re-
spect. $50 far I am happier than YOU
1 love no one. Have no doubt, no dread
Of anything 1 can save you. Some good
may come of all this. how can we tell?
And at least there is no need of making
it worse by not understanding. You will
not shrink so much from tomorrow
now?'
She met his eyes. helpless as a child
in the great reaction; his warm clasp
seemed to melt the chill despair of the
last days, a little color came back to her
cheek and something flashed rainbow
| like upon her lashes.
| Not now she sighed, quiveringly.
| THANK you. monseigneur'
| Stanief raised her hand to his lips. and
presently they went back to the duquesa.
After which he went in search of
| Adrian.
The emperor was talking to AIlard
when his cousin came up to the aIcove
|
motionless with establishment at sight of
Stanief's steel-hard glance and COM
pressed lips.
Cousin" he exclaimed. daupted in
spite of himself.
Allard had risen at the approach, but
Stanief did not regard him and Adrian
gave no permission to retire.
Sire Stanief said. in the markedly
quiet tone that came with his rare anger,
sit is frequently your imperial majesty's
pleasure to submit me and my affairs to
! the discussion or criticism of Baron Dali
morrow. I have made no complaint, l
make none now, but there is limit to
such endurance. The lady who is to be
my wife,
Allard moved involuntarily: Adrian
raised his hand in swift protest
| Cousin, assure you"
| Stanief saluted him formally.
"Sire, I have just learned that Baron
Dalmorov has had the tact to inform
the Princess Iria that I was marrying
her under compulsion and against my
will. This insult to madame, this false
| hood
| Cousin"
This falsehood. sire-since, having met
| the princess, IT is my earnest desire to
| have the honor of her hand-this is too
| much. Baron Dalmorov is your attend
ant; request your Justice II 1t is re-
| fused
'Wen. cousin?' Adrian asked, me-
J chantcally. rather in stupor than chal-
! lenge at Staniefs words.
Staniefs usually yelled glance glinted
clear and ice-cold.
"sire. Dalmorov shall account to me
now. and l to you later
in an agony of anxiety. For an instant
Adrian wavered. then his eyes FELL
beaten down by those of his kinsman:
Whatever you WISH he conceded
had no right. no excuse from me. Go
bid Dalmorov come here, Allard
The surrender was complete. Relieved
and surprised, Allard obeyed. hazarding
| for Iria had Influenced the answer
But Adrian had not lived ten months
with his regent without learning more
than q childish love of command. He
that lowered over him, glittering in the
semi-barbaric magnifcence OF dress de-
manded by etiquette.
Come by me. Feodor," he urged. with
side.
'Thank you, SIRE" without moving.
Adrian surveyed him. then stopped to
the first apology Of his life, however I'M
periously spoken.
II never told any one at all Of your
unwillingness to marry Iria, Feodor. II
IT is known, it is because you yourself
seized every possible delay. Come here;
1 do not wish Dalmorov to find you
standing there"
hand on his sleeve. ,
Then you love Iria. after ALI" he
| asked, with hesitating curiosity.
Love? In twenty-four hours? Hard
ly, sire; but guard my own"
The young emperor lifted his head no
| less proudly. :,
"And so do I. cousin. Dalmorov shall
| satisfy you"
to the suite appointed to her and her
mother she received q visit from Baron
Dalmorov-a very different Dalmorov
from the malicious. self-conf1dent gen.
tleman Of the morning, and VINO onereo
her 80 abJect an apology for his mis-
taken and untrue statement regarding
the grand dukes attitude that the Gen
/ tie Princess was quite distressed she
sent him away treasured and apparently
grateful, then fell to connecting events
Recollecting Staniefs expression during
her naive account and the carriage or his
head as he had crossed the reception nan
to Adrian. she had no dimcuity In oivin-
ing the reason for Dalmorov's sudden
contrition But Staniefs strength no
longer chilled her with terror; instead
she stood with relief behind its shelter
There was ball at the palace that
night. Stanief never danced. but every
one else did, and the emperor opened the
evening with the princess. 1t was obvi-
GUS to all why Stanief had been forced
to this marriage whenever Adrian was
liked, indeed. loved her. And the fifteen
year-old autocrat was always popularity
slpposed to be without affection.
Near the end of the evening Stanief
came across Allard, who was leaning
AGAINST a hower-wreathed pillar and
| watching the dancers with grave, un-
seeirp eyes The other man studied
hi, n q minute, then laid hand on
n. l have scarcely seen you to-
In You look troubled"
lard started and turned, his race
frightening warmly.
II am not dancing tonight monseig-
lneur," he explained. THAT is all"
"Why not?"
The gray eyes fell
at was-a bit out Of sorts. perhaps.
Stanief stood silent. his own expression
hecomin1 very somber Alard waited
QUIETLY: he indeed bore the stamp or
fatigue in his pallor and the dark cir
cles beneath his eyes.
"It is a tangled skein. this life Of ours"
stanief said at last, land not wholly OF
onr spinninR. You are with the en-
peror tonight?'
Then / may not see you until morn
ing GOOD night, John"
Il Allard smiled with the cordial brill
liancy that always sprang in response TO
his name on Stanief's lips.
!; Good night monseigneur," he answer
ed. lovingly. -
ceremony, the marriage took place. 1t
was remarked that when the princess
stood up In as much snowy satin. OLD
no