Bisbee daily review., 1910-04-03
CHAPTER VI.
EooxEDE TIRE BEAUTIFUL.

kA softly upon the roof of leaves
 that covered the sidewalks along Castle avenue
 Asnsst in the center of the imposini line sf paiatial residences stood tho hoH1e sf the Duke of Perse. minister of GRance. iiankcd on either side by structures as grim and as gay as it self. pet far less significant in theii generation. Here dwelt the most i'm portanf maB in The principality. mol exceptins the devoted prime minister himself. Not that Perse was so wei beloved. but that be held the destinies of tke lans in Midaz-like fingers. Mors than that. he was the father of the far famed Countess Marlanx. the most gforiess beauty at the Austrian and RiSsas courts She had gone forth fross Craustari as it's most notable bride since the wedding day of the PrScess YetiYe. late in the nineties insumcde. the beautiful. had j0urneyed far Co the hymeneal altar. The bus band who claimed her was a hated dhhsnored man Ia his own land. There were these who went so Tar as 10 say that her father had delivered her Into ihe hands Of a latter day Bluebeard. who whisked her or into the high lands. many leagues from Vienna.
 She was seen no more in the gay courts for a year. Then of a sudden she appeared before them ail as dag. zlingiy beautiful as ever. but with a haHuting. wfs;fui look in her dark eyes that could not be mistaken. The old cCUnt found an uneasy delight in ox- hibiting ter Co the world once more. plainly as blt of property that all meu were expected Co look upon with envy in thelr hearts
 Then the Duke of Perse. resumed his rcsidence m Edelweiss. opening the old palace once more Co the world Ills daughter after the death of the prin- cess began her extended visits To the hcme or her girlhood So long as the princess was alive she remained away from Edeiweiss. reluctant to meet the friend who had banished her husband long before the wedding day in Buda pest Now she came frequently and stayed fer weeks at time. apparently A-sA ta+A AAAAaAr AIN47E Na,AsAlfNH HUH AtAt in the great capitals
 or late she came more frequently to Edelweiss than before John Tullis vas always 10 remember the moment when be looked upon this exquisite crrsture for the first time That was months ego. After that he never ceased being secret. silent worshiper at her transient shrine.
 Ten o'clock on this rainy night a carriage has drawn up before the low cr gates tp the Pcrse grounds. and a tall. siIadowy figure leaves il to hurry throggh the shrub lined walks to tue massive doors.
 IAiIls had long since ceased to be welcome visitor in the home of the Duke of Perse. The men were openly unfriendly Co each other The duke resented thc cool interference of the sandy haired American: on the other hand. Tuilis made no effort to conceai his dislike if not distrusI. of tbe older man
 TAe countess was alone In the long. wartn tinted library.
 Tt is good of you to come" she said es they shook hands warmly. Do you isnow if is aimost a year since you last caane to this house:''
 "N would De century. countess. if ] were not welcomed in other houses where am sure of glimpse of you from time Co time and a word now and then"
 They both seated themselves before a glowing open fire
 'SThe duke has gone to Ganlook to play bridge with friends" she said at once. He will not return till late. I have just telcphOned--to make sure" Her smile did more than to reassure him.
 ~0f course you will understand how impossible IL Is for me to come bere. countess Your father. the duke. does uot mine matters. and I'm not quite a fooi."
 lt is of the prince that ! want to speak. ar 1uilis." she said. -I do want 70 tHis very seriously with you bis future-l might say his Immediate future"
 He looked at her narrowly.
 Are you quite seriousT
 Quite. could not have asked you Co come Co this house for anything trivial We have become very good friends. you and I. Too good. per Haps. for I've no doubt there are old tasbics in Edelweiss who are provoked Co criticism You know what mean" ''The princi N a sturdy little beg gar' De began. buf she lifted her hand in protest.
 And be Las stwl~. loyal friends. That is agreed And yet''-s She paus- cd. a peTplexed line coming between her expressive eyes.
 John Tuilis opened his own eyes very wide "You don't mean 10 say that he ls-he Is in peril of any scrtg''
 She leaned nearer to him. dropping Inc ash from her cigarette into The r,,- ceiver as she spoke slowly. infeUsciy -'f think he k in peril--in deadly peril"
 He stared hard. What do yoa ucan7~ he demanded. with an involun. tary glance over his shoulder. She in- terprsted that glance correctly.
 -'The peril Is not here. Mir. TuHis. know what you are thinking My fa- theT Is Q loyal subject The peril suggest never comes to Grausiark-
 "Never comes to GraustarkY' he ai.
 most whispered. c sGsST You don't you
 s1.iiHk "A can't mean your
 fk.1 <sS1 your busbandY"
 Pfz>cxA- v '1 mean Count
 4 V& /J Marianx." she said