Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-26

Eneetlveiy distracted, Aiiaru SAT up
''He-"
"Oh. that Is nothing novel. In fact, it
becomes monotonous. Only this fellow
varied the routine by declaring Dali
morrow the instigator OF all this
"Dalmorov!' Allard echoed. incredu-
lously. ITO stoop SO far! Yet re-
member: I saw him talking with your
prisoner the other night. 1 was coming
from the club with Rosal and Linovitch.
when the acetylene searchlights OF the
car fell across the two. as they stood In
an angle Of the cathedral wall"
80? He is imprudent. Also he
should recollect that while such people
will keep faith with one another. they
will cheerfully betray one Of the class
they hate
You will accuse him, arrest him7"
MY dear John. on the word Of a
wretched peasant? I shall do nothing
80 impuisive But | will perfect the
chain. and then" He offered a match
Moreover, he is dangerous to the en-
peror. When resign this remodeled en-
pire to my cousin he shall rule It, not
Dalmorov. Have patience yet a while.
remove this gentleman. whether Adrian
approves 1t or not, and then contentedly
lay down my borrowed scepter.'
THE emperor"
THE emperor may do as he will after
ward. He is fond OF his Dalmorov."
II am not SO sure of that, monseig-
neur; he plays with him.
Stanief smiled.
MY young cousin is a kitten for
whom we are all toy mice, John. Which
reminds me that the hour for my visit
to him approaches
And recalls me to my errand. The
emperor requests that her royal highness
the grand duchess will come to him this
morning, il it will not derange her
plans
You have told madame?"
mo, mOnseigneur. 1 thought perhaps
you-" He looked at Stanief. inter-
negatively.
Would accompany herr" Stanief COM
pleted the question. Perhaps"
He touched the bell, and the long re-
gard In which he enveloped Allard held
many blended emotions besides its af-
lection.
Has madame gone to drive, Dimitri?'
he inquired Of that attendant.
Her royal highness at this moment
descends the stairs, royal highness."
Say to her that I would be glad to
see her here now, il she is at leisure"
Dimitri vanished hastily. An instant
later he opened the door. and Iria came
noiselessly across the threshold with the
exotic. Andalusian grace that made her
least movement a Qeugnt.
Both gentlemen rose at her entrance.
Coloring family, she inclined her head
to Allard and crossed to Stanief, lifting
her eyes to his with a certain delicate
confidence and trust.
You sent for me. monsefgneur?" she
questioned. in her ripping southern
voice.
81 asked you to come" he corrected.
you
She turned docilely to Allard. without
leaving Staniers side.
For me, MONSIEUR
Stanief looked from one to the other.
Very lovely was the young girl in her
golden-brown hair clustering in full. soft
waves under the large hat, her golden
brown eyes warm with expectation. Iria
had acquired dainty pose. not less gen.
tie but more assured. during these months
Of emancipation and freedom under the
regents protection. Allard gazed at her
with frank admiration and friendliness
as he explained:
Madame. the emperor requests the
happiness Of your presence this morning,
If the visit will cause no disturbance of
your plans"
Her dimpling smile responded to a de-
mand sufficiently familiar Adrian
love for her had long ago outlived sur
THANK you. monsieur" she answered.
and again looked up at Stanief. You
are going, monseisneur? We may go to-
gether?"
II intended to ask it OF you, If you
will wait an instant for me to arrange
these papers
Allard saluted them quietly and with
drew. Like all the rest Of the city. he
fancied them most happy in each other.
The regents aversion to the marriage
had been forgotten in his bearing since
the first day Of his fiancee's arrival.
Iria sank down in an armchair and
loosened the furs under her round white
chin. laying the huge muff In her lap.
Quite innocently and without shyness
she followed Stanief's movements as he
tossed into q drawer the writing upon
which he had been engaged, and dropped
on top the thin keen knife left from
the recent conflict.
"Monseigneur," she said at last.
Stanief WINGED ever 50 slightly: there
were times when the formal title fell like
a drop Of acid on his nerves.
Madame la Duchesse?" he retorted.
Iria laughed out in her surprise. all I'M
conscious of his meaning.
"Monseigneur. are you going to send
Marya away from me!'
II! What have 1 to do with your Ia
dies? Keep or dismiss them as you
choose. Iria."
that last night the Baron Dalmorov
warned her Of your intention. He said
that the emperor would object to the
sister of Count Ormanof remaining at
court, SO you would dismiss her. But l
told Marya that you knew how much l
cared for her and would explain that to
the emperor"
Some day Dalmorov will learn discre-
tion," Stanief commented, almost too
indolently. 1T is nearly time. The EN-
peror did speak to me of the Countess
Marya. and pointed out to him that her
brothers misconduct did not affect the
matter in the least. since we are not