The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1911-09-23

OuSlys OUT anything OUT OF the uSudA
attracts attention in Washington.
dare say, from the manner of your ap-
pearance tonight, that you would not
care to attract attention to yourself"
She regarded him with an enigmat-
ic smile.
I'm afraid you don't know WON
en-, Count she said slowly, at last
There's nothing dearer to a woman's
heart than to attract attention to her
self" She laughed-a throaty, sflVery
note that was charming And If you
hesitate now, then to-morrow-why,
tomorrow 1 am going to ask that you
open to me all this Washington world
this brilliant world of diplomatic so
ciety You see what I ask now is
simple"
The ambassador was respectfully
silent and deeply thoughtful for a
time. There was, perhaps, something
! of resentment struggling within him,
and certainly there was an uneasy
| feeling of rebellion at this attempt to
/ thrust him forward against all prece-
dent
Your requests are Of so extraorr-
/ binary a nature that" he began IN
courteous protestation-
| There was no trace Of Impotence in
/ the woman's manner; she was still
smiling
ct is necessary that I attend the
ball tonight she explained, you may
imagine how necessary when 1 say I
sailed from Liverpool six days ago,
reaching New York at half-past three
| o'clock this afternoon; and at half
/ nos IN hora
/ have been here less than one hour 1
came from Liverpool especially that
! 1 might be present; and even
| dressed on the train so there would be
no delay. Now do you see the neces-
sity Of it?"
Diplomatic procedure is along we'll
oiled grooves, and the diplomatist who
steps out of the rut for an instant hap
pens upon strange and unexpected OBJ
stacIes. Knowing this, the ambassa-
dor still hesitated. The woman ap-
parentIy understood.
Il had hoped that this would not be
necessary" she remarked, and she
produced a small, sealed envelope.
please read it."
The ambassador received the en-
velope with uplifted brows, opened it
and read what was written on a fold
ed sheet of paper. Some subtle work
ing of his brain brought a sudden
change in the expression of his face.
| There was wonder in it, and amaze
! ment, and more than these. Again he
| bowed low
81 am at your service, Madam he
repeated 81 shall take pleasure in
making any arrangements that are
necessary. Again. beg your pardon"
"And it will not be so very dif1cuIt
after all, will it?" she inquired, and
she smiled tauntingly.
cit will not be at all difficult, Mad
am the ambassador assured her
gravely. 81 shall take steps at once
to have an invitation issued to you for
tonight; and tomorrow 1 shall be
pleased to proceed as you may sug-
gest."
She nodded. He folded the note, re-
placed it in the envelope and returned
it to her with another deep bow. She
drew her skirts about her and sat
down; he stood.
TT Will be necessary for your name
to appear on the invitation" the am
bassador went On to explain IF you
give me your name I'll have my sec
retary-'
"oh, yes. my name" she interrupted
gaily. why, Count. you embarrass
me- You know, really,9 I have no
name. Isn't it awkward?"
Il understand perfectly, Madam, y
responded the count Il should have
said a name"
She meditatad a moment
We'll. say-Miss Thorne-Miss Iss-
bel Thorne,'' she suggested at last
THAT will do very nicely. don't you
think?"
Very nicely, Miss Thorne." and the
ambassador bowed again. Please ez-
cuse me a moment, and I'll give my
secretary instructions how to proceed.
There will be a delay Of a few min
utes''
He opened the door and went out.
For a minute or more Miss Thorne sat
perfectly still, gazing at the blank
/ wooden panels, then she rose and
went to the window again. In the dis
lance, hazy in the soft night, the dome
of the capitol rose mistfly5 over to the
right was the congressional library,
and out there where the lights spar
killed. lay Pennsylvania Avenue. a
thread of commerce. Miss ThoTne saw
it all, and suddenly stretched out her
arms with an all-enveloping gesture.
She stood so for q minute, then they
fell beside her, and she was motion
less.
Count di Rosini entered.
Everything is arranged, Miss
Thorne,' he announced 'WiIl you go
with me in my automobile, or do you
prefer to go alone?"
I'll go alone, please" she answer
ed after a moment Il shall be there
about eleven
The ambassador bowed himself out
And so Miss Isabel Thorne came to
Washington
! CTo BE CoNTINUED)
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