New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-01-22


from a chair to confront her
Chapter XIV. A Singular Alliance
EOR a moment Thurley and her visitor
stood face to face, each taking, as IL
were. mental measurement of the other.
Thurlev was the first 20 speak. you
wished to see me-"
The breath Of the Countess was coming
RAPIDLY. as the agitated rise and fall OF her
bosom sufficiently advertised. She spoke IN
French. "You are Princess Ihirvima,
known here in New York as Miss Thurley''
81 am known here in New York as Miss
Thurlcv, certainly. Do you not speak En-
plish!" Thurley answered. "Will you not be
seated and state your errand with me as
promptly as possible
The young woman made no response TO
either query. She stared at the princes"
with blazing, resentful eyes, while her color
disappeared, robbing her face OF something
suggestive of damaSk SmoothneSS, bloom,
and texture. She was on the whole a Strlk-
ing little person, with piquant attractive
ness that was emphasized by nose slightly
retrousSe and vivid bit of coral mouth.
"You are very beautiful she said, as If
reluctantly admitting an lneScapable tact,
or even making an accusation. What night
have you to follow my husband TO American
He is my husband, and YOU shall not entice
him away
Thurlev elevated her browS. "Who is he,
then? If YOU refer to Count FiaSchl-'
"You know refer to Count Fiaschi.' in
terrupted the fiery little parcel of GalliciSm
"Do YOU think Countess FiaSChi shall be his
mother? Do | look like that? He shall be
nv husband-all! He is not 70 be shared
with any German Princess! You will find
am not so small in my rights
Thurev was far from being awed. She
might have been near TO amusement, had
not the affair partaken OF too much gravity
81 have no wish to share your husband she
said. 81 was not aware he had wife, mol
have followed anyone here from Europe
Magnificent ScOrn was maSSed upon the
piquant little face. "Ahl When all this
land is talking OF his madness for yourself
Perhaps you will deny you are Princess Thir.
vinia, whose golden haired spell was cast
about him on the Continent"
81 am sorry If you do not believe what
say said Thurley quietly. 81 am glad you
came, glad to know the Count is married
glad to tell you | deSpiSe him, dislike him
exceedingly, more than ever now, since this
reveals him IN new and unsupported mean
ness OF spirit. | will give YOU any comfort
you desire so far as he is concerned.
HER visitor gazed at her almost blankly
so vast was her incredulity. "DcSpiS,
him-any woman, deSpiSc him, she said
with his soul, his fire, his sentiment" Their
she suddenly broke down and wept as pen
heavens sometimes weep when storm ha
maSSed their tears. "You are beautiful,
she repeated; "but believe YOU. | wan
your help. came for your assistance: no
TO accuse, 70 implore. am not SO beautiful
as YOU; but yet love him. Perhaps this i
my curse. Who knows | must love him
nevertheless! would die for his 10Y. He i
more needed TO me than my soul more to b,
desired than salvation! If YOU do not low
him, tell him So drive him away, and he vii
come to me for the kisses he says are sweet
You will despise him, PrincesS-you vii
promise this?"
with all my heart said Thurlev hon
eStly. Whatsoever may seem 10 be my at
utude, you may be sure | shall deSpiSe hin
and do all in my power to send him away a
soon as possible
at shall be Soon?" implored the thor
oughly altered little being. 81 am his tru