Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-22

You are severe, SIRE" he retorted, with
dignity. Perhaps reflection upon how
unexpected this is. upon how serious to
me Is the amusement which to you sig
miles nothing. may win your indulgence.
My life Is full to OVERCOMING; there is no
place in 1t for a wife"
You refuse?"
Stanief bit his lip.
mo, sire; protest"
Adrian stood up and the other perforce
rose with him.
You yourself said it, the boy stated,
his chest heaving with passion Now,
the test. have the right; you know It,
Do you govern me. or 1 your
Sire"
You or Ir'
Stanief looked very steadily into the
blasting young eyes. himself colorless with
the restraint forced upon his own emo
tons.
II believe there were two promises
given on the Nadeja. SIRE" he answered.
never SO quietly. 1T seems that only
ono Is to be remembered and that Baron
Dalmorov wins. But I make no COM
plant; I suppose your last question was
hardly serious"
You consent?''
I obey" he corrected, pointedly
his kinsman's bearing, Adrian flung him
self on the seat and motioned the other
TO the place beside him. But Stanief re-
manned standing. choosing not to see the
Invitation. and there was a pause.
Il do remember my promise" Adrian
declared, proudly reverting to the re-
proach of a few moments before IF /
have made you do this. cousin, it was
not to please Dalmorov."
Stantef bowed. answering nothing.
no a. = -
l met her last year on the Riviera. In
her country they call her the Gentle
Princess. because-she is. And she is
very lovely
object gained, Adrian fretted and chafed
before the change he himself had
wrought.
You are like Monsieur Allard: you do
not want to yield your WILL he said,
half petulantly, half haughtiiy. He Is
like 1T because said that no longer shall
his fortune come from any one but me.
Why?'
He is an American. SIRE"
why does that make a difference be-
tween. you and me?"
II love him, SIRE
The cold explanation conceded perfectly
with Allard's; illogicaly Adrian felt q
pang of isolation before this friendship.
although he would not have believed
lection for him.
THE churches are ringing the hour"
he remarked, the sullen child struggling
with the emperor. IF you wish to go,
as usual, you have my leave
crowded.
You are willing to ask the Princess
lria In marriage?,
LAS you dispose, SIRE
Satisfied and dissatisfied, Adrian held
out his hand.
You are not content, cousin" he &C.
cused. You think me unkind.'
Stanief paused to meet the willful gaze.
Perhaps l think of day the years
are bringing. Sire" he replied, gravely.
and bent his head still lower to the lew
eled fingers which grasped SO much
Adrian flushed scarlet.
NO" he denied, fercely. "Feodor you
cannot believe I will fail you IL you do
not me? You cannot think that then,
Stanief did not help him at all. Taking
refuge in worldlessness. Adrian left the
sentence unfinished and let his cousin
90, with an assumption of dignity that
hardly concealed the sting of the rebuke
he had received. But he did not offer to
relinquish the purpose 50 distasteful to
Stanief.
For half an hour the terrace remained
hushed and silent under the noon sun
shine, the tree shadows wavering back
oAA AVAlh oSAOoS lhc Suldlis IIlOllOnloSS
figure.
Monsieur Allard!" at last the sum-
mons rang.
Allard returned serenely. of course ie-
norant OF the recent stormy discussion.
I'm q few months Adrian stated, with
out looking at him. 1.-The Princess Iria de
Bourbon will come here to be married to
the regent. wish you to be one Of the
escort that will meet her and bring her
to the capital
But. sire
'You are surprised?"
II did not know the grand duke con-
templated marriage, SIRE" Allard explain
ed, stunned.
He did not; 1t Is who contemplated
1t. You will go?''
Surely there will be many more fitted
for such an honor. or course 1t will be
as you arrange, sire; but would rather
stay here
Adrian moved, signing; his LID took a
softer curve. and for the first time he
almost looked his few years. "If you
like her, monsieur. Feodor will like her.
1 want you to see her. to tell him good
OF her. She Is different from any one
else-when We were both In Italy we saw
each other every day. and I know. She
Is SO gentle: want her here"
Allard gazed at him in utter wonder,
.Feodor believes 1 force the marriage
to annoy him and please Dalmorov. It is
not SO; 1t is because I want Iria here
You understand that?"
II am trying, SIRE
Adrian afond nm dArfe{yaIv