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


drous golden hair by way of allaying her
nervous apprehensions. "You needn't be
afraid of handling him just as you wish. You
could blow him out with a Whit
IF you could only help me a little!' Thur
ley said, her smile rather faint and forced.
"You would know in moment whether I'd
better tell him or not that I'm sorry Just
look so like the Princess"
Alice patted her affectionately on the
cheek "If girl who did what you did to-
day cannot trust to the guidance of her in
doned to her fate, that's all! You'll know
what to say and do. And, whatever you de-
eide, be sure, my dear, Ill accept it and be
content. Now 60 along. Ill finish reading
of your heroic conduct in The Evening
STAR"
at isn't half true, not half of all that
stuff" said Thurley, reddening gultily at
thought of the lurid account already in the
New York press concerning the collision on
the road. II don't see where they ever got
so much!'
GO along" said Alice, @and remember,
this little clothespin of a Baron is not sixty
horsepower automobile"
One of the servants opened the door to the
room where the Baron was waiting. Thur
ley entered in girlish trepidation, instantly
convinced that the Baron was eight feet tall
and hundred and fifty horsepower at the
least.
The man was little only in his stature
His genuine size could not have been con-
ceaed or calculated He was standing in the
center of the room when Thurley entered,
his hands behind his back. He had halted
from pacing up and down at the slight sound
at the door, He came half the distance for
ward. regarding Thurley piercingly, as she, |
ho1f don odd fo-o Il 1,,1 L..
sonality, filling all the room,-gazed fixed
ly upon him while advancing.
@Miss Thurley, l believer" he said in Ger /
man, the iron of his face relaxing in mobile
way as he discerned and comprehended her
timidity of spirit. @May hope l am well
come in your homer" ..-..--
ooh, very welcomed" Thurley said i'm
pulsively, transformed at once to her frank:
and easy self by something cordial in his
manner, and she held forth her hand in token
of sincerity.
With an older, more finished grace than.
that of the Duke, he took it and raised it to,
his lips. II honor myself in the privilege of,
coming he assured her. looking her once
more squarely in the eyes. 3You were lit:
tie prepared for my visit1" 4
u have been prepared for almost anything
recently Thurley blurted honestly. Il
mean Of course Mrs. Van Kirk informed,l
me when returned this afternoon"
(. $50. Will you not be seated?y.,
Thurley inclined her head. 3And you
will also be comfortable1',
He drew up chair as she sank on a slen-
der bit of Chippendale and then sat only on,
its edge, with certain military alertnesS as,
if expectant of the bugle's call and hasten
ing into action. aYou are perhaps a little
aware of my mission here in America . he
said, with no further preliminaries by way
of introducing his subject. 3You know l
have come as an extraordinary representa-
tive of the court at Hertzegotha?"
yes answered Thurley a little family.
Il knew. something of your dignity, your,
mission, of course. Mrs. Van Kirk in
formed me-" II
3You know that the Kingdom of Hertze-
gotha is very much distressed, almost dis
rupted, by the unprecedented disappearance
and absence from the court of Princess
Thirvinia and Grand Duke Karl Wilheim?"
Thurley wondered whittier his line of que,
ries might be tending; but she saw no,
course but to answer straightforwardly.
There was no sign as yet to guide her along
special path. 81 could scarcely be in igno-
rance Of what you have stated-of some of
it, mean"
"But you may not know the gravity, the.