Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-30

Because of what you just said about
pointing out faults. But don't really want
to know Prince Rodoslav's faults. They'll
crop out by themselves, like my own"
Doubtless Saccarello grinned under his
great mustache. as it his merits, then? You
must have discovered those for yourself"
"Indeed l have!" declared Ann ardently.
"But this is something l can't see for myself;
but which, if l am to be his wife, ought to
know more about. l mean the race back of
the man."
Saccarello shot query of Latin b1untness.
"Do you want to know what sort of parent
age you'll be giving your children" he
asked.
Ann wanted to know nothing of the kind,
as her rising color eloquently testified; but
she saw in flash not only that a retreat
might mean disaster, but that a valiant adj
vance might win the battle.
"Yes," she avowed heroically, II do"
The old man studied her with a different
expression. His face seemed more human.
"You have asked me something l will not
refuse" he said with Difference; "but shall
choose my own time to answer"
"Your own timer
II have the feeling, Signorina, that your
engagement will not end in marriage"
allow can your" she protested.
sible to explain everything. Call it an in
Whatever it isl he reverted to his old
phrase, at exists, and while it exists l will
say nothing"
1t was therefore drawn battle, not a
decisive victory, to which Justin Blair's re-
turn brought truce.
Chapter XXI.
GACCARELLO saw them off for Italy
~ When Ann came out into the blue and
gold splendor of the morning to take her
place in the car, she spied him limping slowly
up and down under the trees with Rodoslav.
They talked idly, like men who find nothing
more profound than the weather or brands
of tobacco to discuss, and, on perceiving her.
Rodoslav flung away his cigarette and has
tened toward her as if the sun had risen only
at her coming. By this maneuver he gained
an advance of a rod or more upon Saccarello.
"The fend is unconvinced,' he warned as
he bent over her hand.
Ann silently slipped her arm into his and
moved by his side upon the common foe.
"Goodby, Baron" she said, extend g her
free hand, cor, rather, au revoir. One al
ways does see you again."
The Italian took her fingers in his thin
claw and eyed her with peculiar earnestness.
II should be sorry to think it goodby," he
returned slowly. ave have still many
things to say to each other, am sure
Justin came up with his wife. "What
do you two talk about?" he laughed.
Saccarello, still holding AIMS hand, half
turned. ave have surprising range" he
said: Technology, gowns, opera, statecraft, /"
his eyes came back to Rodoslav, "the ways
of Princes"
Justin laughed again. Il r.ust sit in at
your next parley," he said. @Let 'lope it
may be in Venice"
A too studied carelessness in her uncle's
tone made Ann suspect that stronger
grounds than hope underlay his reference to
Venice. She believed that meeting had
been already arranged. She even wondered
if the Nice encounter was as accidental as it
had seemed.
II don't visit Venice so often as l did" re-
turned Saccarello, as if he read her thoughts.
"Will you be there long?"
@Till the weather grows too warm"
"And after that?"
"Vienna, perhaps" 1t was Ann who an
swered.
"Eh?" said Justin.
Ann withdrew her hand from Saccarello's
and, linking it to its mate on Rodoslav's
H. 81,