Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-21

Monsieur Allard?' he said one day, with
his mature directness and self-possession
They were strolling up and down ter
race overlooking the river, and A!lard in
voluntarily paused in surprise and with
no slight embarrassment.
mo longer, SIRE" he admitted, truth
coming as the one course.
MY cousin-you served him as his sec
retary?''
Yes, sire
Adrian sat down on a broad marble
seat under the trees, lifting his head
with the movement usually to be trans
lated as signal OF danger.
You serve me at present, not the re-
gent AS one of my household you will
accept from me in future"
Pardon me, sire
II will have it so, monsieur You must
be all mine. all. I shall speak to Feodor.
Why do you object? You do. then, con-
slider yourself his, not mine?'
Sire, you misinterpret; l am assuredly
of your service"
Then you acceptr
Allard met the flashing gaze heiplessly;
it was the other Adrian. distrustful. jeal-
Gus. naughty. whom he faced and to
whom he yielded.
ut is as you wish, sire, Of course.
thank you
You do not he retorted, shrewdly
although his brow relaxed. Why did
you resist"
Again Allard took refuge in the simple
truth. a little sadly.
ed to serve, am afraid. We would stand
alone. II could accept the Grand Duke
Feeders protection without such reluc-
lance. it was because of old reasons and
old love-
For himr'
Eyes, sire"
"Do you know Dalmorov secretly urges
to me your love for Feodor as q cause
for Diminishing your"
81 had not known 1t, although I might
have guessed: But you could not believe
me. sire, II I told you did not love him. .
mo: you are very easy to read. And
I know more-I know that Feodor is glad
to have you near me. although he is fond
Of keeping you with himself. Why?"
Allard regarded his keen young inquis-
itor candidly.
Because use his own phrase, sire
because am the only one that he feels
he can wholly trust
Abrams eyes opened, then ne laughed
faded altogether from hts expression.
You tell me that yourself. Monsieur
Allard? Oh, IL Dalmorov could hear you!
Never mind; perhaps Feodor Is deceiving
you. perhaps you are both sincere, but
certainly you yourself are all truthful.
IT do not understand
1T Is not necessary. I am going to re-
ceive him here this morning. After he
arrives. pray stay at the other end of the
terrace and let no one pass to disturb
u.s."
This daily visit Of the regent had be-
come a matter Of course. Sometimes II
found Adrian surrounded by many peo-
pie, sometimes alone. more often with Al
lard, as now. And never was he SO
sweetly gracious to Stanief as in Dali
morov's presence: although, as Stanief
knew perfectly well. at other times he
listened without rebuke to the baron's
constant insinuations and warnings. II
the young emperor had confidence In no
one, most assuredly no one could risk a
Judgment Of his real thoughts. Only one
sentiment he took no care to conceal-for
whatever reason. he liked the regular
visit and would suffer nothing to pre-
vent II.
However puzzled by the last suggestion,
Allard could only comply with the request
and retire as Stanief came down the steps
q moment later. And Stanief, seeing
Adrian waiting alone. left his cid at the
head Of the terrace and alone came to
him. So, yasiii at one end of the grassy
ledge. AIlard at the other, the cousins
were for once unobserved.
Adrians expression was unusually ami