Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

ticllar interest in Mr.. Stuyverant? Pardon
the question of an old man greatly con-
cerned in everything at present pertaining
to yourself. You doubtless have many ad-
mirers; but perhaps there is one" He
left his sentence incomplete.
Thurley had redeemed as before. "Would
ii help in your dilemma to probe-to know
Won't you please tell me just exactly how
! may be of assistance?'
al will be very frank" he answered. be-
coming aware that the open way was Thur
1ey's way and candor the most expedient
"If the young Duke should fancy himself in
1ove.-if it should be no fancy, would
you say to his addresses, what would you
do?"
Thurley laughed. ooh, l couldn't do
anything of the sort, unless he thinks
Why, he's only boy! He's not an Ameri-
can. | should feel very sorry if it went so
far, and I'm sure it never will.
"Ah!" exclaimed the Baron. Il felt GER
tain of your aid. Is it possible now to tell
me when he will Gomez"
81 have no means of knowing that myself
The Baron rose and paced a little about
uneasiy. "Of course. But come he will,
and we shall learn l arrive now at the
point, Miss Thurley. l shall make very
important request
Thurley met his gaze unf1inchingly. ayes?
1t is something about the Duke?"
THAT part presently. 1t is, first, that
YOU continue as before to enact the role of
Princess Thirvinia; that is to say, that you
do nothing, state nothing, confess nothing,
that will in any manner disabuse the minds
of those who now credit the story that you
are her Royal Highness."
THURLEY almost gasped. She had been
public manner the Baron might have de-
sired. She had thought no other course ten
able after tonight. She had even feared
the imposition of which she and Alice had
been passivey guilty had wrought great
harm to Herzegovina, possibly, and consti-
tuted grave peril to its Princess.
go on with-this pretense?' she said.
"You wish that, wish me to occupy the
place? Do you mean to everyone?"
ITO everyone"
mot confess to the Duke when he
comes?"
@Even that would be quite unnecessary"
@But why continue the fiction, after
thiso" she inquired wonderingly. "Can it
do any possible good, be of any benefit or
service?"
"Perhaps a very great service indeed"
he assured her earnestly. Il am not at
liberty to explain, except to say you are al
ready accepted, almost ofnC1ally, as Pr1n-
cess Thirvinia and that Hertzegotha may
be UNNECESSARILY served and indebted if you
will kindly consent to proceed as before, dis
turb no beliefs already excited as to who and
what you are. This you will promise to do?'
Thurley smiled at him girlishly. "Of
course I've enjoyed it-any young woman
would. If you knew how novel, how Won
derful. it has been to me! have done al
most nothing to bring it about. | admit I'd
feel little regret towel, be stripped of
all of it so suddenly; but l made up my
mind to do anything to help Hertzegotha,
for all her troubles are real and serious, and
mine-are all pretense."
"Not all pretense," he corrected kindly.
"They are just as real, just as poignant, as
those of Kingdom. But may they be
fewer and briefer!" He held forth his hand,
took Thurley's in his firm, dry clasp, and
raised it as before to his lips. "You deserve
your throne and coronet," he added. u
trust they will one day come
"Thank YOU said Thurley; "but l feel
as if I'm being absurdly overpaid for having
very happy time Her smile went straight
to his heart.
He knew of the dangers besetting the un-
suspecting girl, and felt momentary pang