Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-19
led LET me aid; stand or fall"
ELEANOR M. INGRAM
Copyright, 1909. the Bobbs- Merrill Company

| cried. LET me aid stand or faf''
"A desperate cause warned Stanief.
| keeping the hand in his firm clasp For
day and night my enemies will pour their
father must already have taught him dis
trust and dread of me. 1t may very we'll
be that when l resign the absolute power
to the young emperor,-he himself will first
use ii to crush me-"
] Impossible, And IL il he so, at least
we shall have fought the good fight
Then open the lists to Don Quixote
and Sancho Panza. We Will live our own
way for these three years and abide the
decision.
There was no question OF etiquette be-
tween the two who stood together, with
laughter glancing across the surface OF
an earnestness too deep for speech. Al
lard had way of divining that the
Stanief he knew did not exist for any one
else: that the reserve of a lifetime was
broken in their friendship.
| They sat down again. presently.
Long ago, when Adrian was very much
| younger / used to see him more intimate
w." Stanief unused, rather sadly. Then
never considered a regency, believing
the emperor would live until his son could
| take his place. j was weary even then
OF the constant strife and suspicion: !!
longed to make friend OF my small
cousin and some day find calm under his
| rule. But the emperor interfered. and we
| have seen each other only formally since.
Now comes your part, John. [ shall
place you in Adrian's suite as his per-
| sonal attendant / want gu to do what
1 cannot: to guard him from hour to
hour. as far as possible. from my self
styled friends and his enemies. He will
like yOu--yOu have that gift
Gift" Allard puzzled.
The gift of being liked. And being an
American, YOU will escape much of the
| jealousy which would attach to one who
could demand more. 1t is absolutely
&c..
my cousin whom can trust implicitly.
Il will do anything you wish" he an
| swered. simply. Your purpose-let me
serve ii also. Only l will have to ask
ideas OF the most formal court in Eu
rope
II shall teach you nothing whatever
Stanief declared. with his sudden smile.
Let the imperial Adrian have that
amusement Do not forget what ! have
| implied to those you meet here--that you
! are merely my secretary as a within and
| are in reality my friend. You under
stand?''
AI,ard did Understandable elaborate
luxury with which he had been sur
rounded, the difference of even Count
Rosal, the caution OF Vasili.
Il would rather stay with you than be
| a childs plaything." he said. wistfuily.'
But 1t IL all right
Stanief regarded him for an instant,
then reached for a cigarette.
you will be with me. But II you have
any idea that Adrian Is like q child.
wait" he observed dry1y. And now let
us enjoy the voyage. since it is our last
quiet period for several years.
Before Allard could reply an agitated
knock fell on the door and Mario admit
ted the pale and breathless Rosal.
"We1l?" Stanief questioned, insAnctiye-
~ rising.
Allard rose with him. and standing
they received the message.
Il regret to report. by wireless from
New York, the death of his imperial
majesty the emperor. at noon today"
A brief hush, then Rosal again, in
nervous conclusion:
His imperial majesty the Emperor
Adrian requests the return of your royal
highness to the capital"
ITO be continued tomorrow