Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-27
ELEANOR NJ. INGRAM

ness to gravity. some other and subtler
influences had brought singular under
lying .gentleness to his expression and
kept hardness at bay Adrian turned
| did not speak at once.
You devote too close an attention to
! state affairs, cousin. he rejoined Next
year we will relieve you of them
The accent was more than the words:
together they brought Stanief's color.
| Il shall resign my charge most will
| ingly. sire he answered, with dignity
| Il am glad to hear it; I fancfed you
might miss the regal game and find life
| monotonous You have taken the task
! so completely from my hands that it
causes no surprise to find you are wear
led. l admit that you have spared me
or opinions in regard to the govern
ment.''
THE accusation is hardly just sire A
| suggestion of yours has never been dis
regarded nor has it failed of its serious
effect
"Ah?" drawled Adrian. with his most
aggravating incredulity in the infection.
Stanief raised his lashes and met the
others eyes steadfastly. Both compre
hended the situation perfectly. compre-
hended the imminent break Adrian was
forcing. And the emperor did not soon
forget the direct sorrow and reproach of
that glance. But Stanief attempted no
defense.
eyes on the table before him. Il have
been told otherwise. / am rejoiced to
learn the truth from you, cousin espe
cially as a rumor reached me this morn
ing that certain tax had been removed,
against my wish. You doubtless know
the measure of which I speak 1 am
glad to find it is not So"
Pardon. sire: it is So was the calm
reply
! 1.-The tax is removed?"
Yes, SIRE
! The Adrian of two years before would
have burst into furious passion: the one
of today simply rose and walked to the
nearest window. Stanief necessarily rose
also. and stood by his chair. waiting.
At the opposite end of the room Allard
clenched his hands in helpless nervous
ness, forgetting to keep his pretense of
| reading The low voices. the leisurely
movements of the two. had not masked
| from him the crisis for the hopes and
plans of years.
| But Adrian made no scene. Probably
no one realized less than the regent
himself how much the example of his
own self-control had taught the same
quality to his ward. When the young
emperor came back only his extreme
pallor betrayed the tempest within.
"Amuse yourself. my cousin: can wait.
Eleven months. is it not?"
| The break and the menace. Stanief
| saluted him quietly.
"a tri1e less than eleven months sire
May I assume your imperial majestys
permission to retire7 1 suppose it is
scarcely worth while to reiterate the
arguments as to- the necessity Of my &C.
! ton
Scarcely Do not let me detain you
| from your many affairs. cousin. All.
believe Dalmorov is waiting out there;
let me tax your courtesy SO far as to
! ask you to send him to me-
| He extended his hand carelessly: no
longer as a sign of friendliness. but as
| compulsion of homage.
J 1T is for you to command. sire was
| Stanief's proudly unmoved response.
| Adrian looked down at the bent head
and put out his left hand in rapid. curl
Gus gesture, almost as If to touch
caressingly the heavy ripples of dark
| the hand fell again at his side before
! even Allard saw.
Thank you. he acknowledged, COM
| posedly. and watched the other 60
| Dalmorov entered presently, radiant
| with satisfaction. but Allard could have
borne witness that the baron passed no
pleasant hour With his irritable and fri
tating master Like the feck of lash
Adrians tongue touched each weakness
| and stung each exposed hope of the
courtier three times his age. until even
the distrait American found himself
compelled to amusement.
Stanief did not ride home that morning
with the cheerful Vasili and bored Ro-
sal. who awaited him. IS he came down
the wide steps between the usual part
ing. obsequious crowds, girl leaned
| from q victoria that stood in the place
| of his own carriage-Iria. opposite her
| the pale young Countess Marya.
"Will you ride with me. monseigneur?"
| invited the gentle princess, with her de-
| lictously conf1ding glance and smile. I'VE
were on the promenade. and thought
| perhaps you would have finished
A knot of early daffodils was tucked
| in her girdle, the spring breeze futtered
a bright strand of crinkled bronze against
her brighter cheek; all the youth of the
year was i'm the happy face she lifted
| to him. Stanief paused with his foot on