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


of the woman or her usual associates after
the Princess had gone. Have you further
news of the Duke?"
"None none; but this has overwhelmed
me. Our customary safeguards are impos
sible here; the chances for violence are
many. Unless you can now persuade the
Princess"
"There is hope" said the Baron, interrupt
ing, another change abruptly coming on his
face as he cast quick glance in Thurley's
direction. mo sacrifice now could be too
great to retrieve this runaway pair. Leave
me now and wait, to go in half an hour"
Wenck hesitated. "But is there nothing
/ may do, no assistance l may render? l
must only waltz"
"You will thereby serve. Then 60"
"For God and Hertzegotha!" said Wenck,
his face betraying his emotions, and saluting
he bowed himself backward from the room.
THE Baron returned to his former po-
sition, and Thurley glided up from the
farther window, determined on the course
she felt to be imperative.
"Baron Won Hochhaus," she said at once,
resuming precisely where she had been in
terrupted, "do you not discern that am not
Princess Thirvinia? If you do not, l must
tell you SO, and tell you how weak am to
1t would seem must; for all New York, and
even Herr Wenck, has thrust this new ider-
tity upon me. Neither Mrs. Van Kirk nor |
ever started this absurd mistake. If we have
permitted Others to delude themselves lit
tie, it seemed an innocent diversion; but,
with all this serious ENHANCEMENT, this
menace to your country, | cannot consent to
another moment of this grave misunder
standing!"
The Baron was watching her face with
penetrative, keen discemment of the char
acter that Law behind her looks and words.
He had shown not the slightest sign of sur
"Thank you, Miss Thurley, for your candor,
your spirit, he said to her quietly. Il knew
at once that you were not the Princess. You
will pardon gray old man, | am sure, for
saying you are, perhaps, more beautiful,
even more endowed with charm. 1t was be-
cause | knew you were not her Royal High
ness that ventured to hope for your assist
ance"
Thurley felt her tension instantly re-
leased. "Oh, I'm glad you knew! | have
been so puzzled. | have felt so guilty. |
have hardly known what l ought to do, in
such situation; but as long as it seemed a
harmless joke, it was fun, temptation, to
let it go on"
"Your position requires no explanation,
he assured her. II understand it perfectly.
| am certain, moreover, of your sympathy,
as well as your honest intent. am here to
implore your aid"
His gesture and the tone of his voice in
that final sentence went straight to Thur
leys heart she knew not why. II can help
you! But how? What is it l could do?"
much, perhaps very much indeed" His
gravity was obvious. "First let me ask you,
Did the Duke request that he might return
again?"
dyes, certainly. You see, couldn't I'M
derstand whether he had been engaged to
the Princess without ever having seen her
frst,-as they sometimes do, I'm told, or
whether he really thought"
Exactly" the Baron interrupted, in his |
quiet way which masked a certain eagerness
to proceed with the matter in hand, Il ap-
preciate all of that also. Did you tell him
he might return?"
"There seemed to be nothing else to do.
l hardly knew how to refuse"
"You had no personal feeling, no suddenly |
ignited feeling -toward-in the interview,
its outcome, his evident pleasure at the meet |
ing, his desire to renew his addresses"
"Why, he was nice-very interesting. 1t |
was fattering, l suppose Thurley faltered
rosy of face again. Il hardly had time to