The Washington times., 1911-08-28
CHAPTER Y.
What Occurred to Reginald Dimmock

"neS OSCuIIe0 70 heSlndlQ D1mm0ck.
TN another moment they were all
three talking quite easily and with,
II at any rate, an appearance Of being
natural
Prince Artbert became suave-defer-
Snual, eVen-to Nella, and more friend
ly toward Nella's father than their re-
spectlve positions demanded.
Inc latter amused himself by study
ing this sprig of royalty, the first with
whom he had ever come into contact
he decided that the young fellow was
presentable enough, had no frills on
him, and would make an exceptionally
good commercial traveller for a first
class firm.
Such was Theodore Racksoles prelim-
mary estimate of the man who might
one day be the reigning Grand Duke OF
Posen.
It occurred to Nella. and she smiled
at the idea, that the bureau of the
hotel was scarcely the correct place in
which to receive this august young
man.
There he stood. with his head half
way through the bureau window, negli-
gently leaning against the woodwork,
Just as though he was a stockholder or
the manager of a New York burlesGue
company.
rs your highness travelling quite
alone?" she asked.
BY series of accidents. am." he
said. My equerry was to have met me
at Charing Cross, but he failed TO do
bo-I cannot imagine why"
MIR. Dimmock?" questioned Racksole
"Yes. DimmOCk. l do not remember
that he ever missed an appointment be-
fore. You know him? He has been
here?'
He dined with US last night" said
Racksole, "on NcIla's Invitation" he
added maliciously. but today we have
teen nothing OF him. l know, however,
that he has engaged the state apart
ments, and also n suite adjoining. No.
b5 That is SO. isn't Il Nella?
Yes, papa she SAID, having first de-
murely examined a ledger. Your high
ness would doubtless like to be conduct
co to your rooms-aUartments, | Inean."
Then Nella laughed deliberately at the
prince, and added:
Il don't know who is the proper per-
son TO conduct you, and that's d fact.
The truth is that PAPA and ! are rather
raw yet in the hotel lire. You see, we
only bought the place last night"
You have bought the hotel!" ex-
claimed the prince.
That's So" said Racks sole.
And Felix Babylon has gomez"
He is going, If he has not already
'Ah. l see" said the prince. This
IS one Of your American strokes. You
have bought TO sell again, is not that
It? You are on your holidays, but you
cannot resist making few thousands
by way of relaxation. l have heard Of
such thirgs."
we shan't sell again. prince, until we
are tired of our bargain. Sometimes we
tire very quickly, and sometimes we
don't. 1t derends-eh' What" Rack
sole broke suddenly to attend TO a serY-
ant in livery who had quietly entered
the bureau and was making urgent.
mysterious signs to him.
"If you please, sir" The man by
frantic gestures implorcd Theodore
Racksoe TO come out.
l,fn
Racksole," said the prince, and there
upon the proprietor of the Grand Baby
Ion departed after the servant, with
queer, curt little bow to Prince Aribcrt.
"Mayn't l come inside" said the
prince 10 Nela Immediately the million
Eire had gone.
"Impossible, prince" Nella laughed.
1.-The rule against visitors entering this
bureau is simply frightfully strict
How do you know the rule is so
strict. II you only came into possession
last night?"
II know because 1 made the rule my
self this morning, your highness."
But. seriously, Miss Racksole, want
10 talk to you"
DO you want to talk to me as Prince
Aribert or as the friend, the acquaint-
ance, whom knew in Paris last year,"
AS the friend. dear lady. If I may
use the term"
And you are sure that YOU would
rot like first 20 be conducted to your
apartments?"
Not yet 1 will wait I'LL Dimmock
comes. He cannot fail to be here soon"
Then we will have tea served in
fathers private roonn-the proprietor's
private room, you know"
Good" he said.
Nella talked through a telephone and
rang several bells and behaved gener-
ally in 4 manner calculated to prove to
princes and whomever II might concern
that she was a young woman of bust
ness instincts and training.
Then she stepped DOWN from her chair
of office. emerged from the bureau, and,
prc cceded by two menials. led Prince
tribert to the Louis XIV. chamber in
which her father and Felix Babylon
Rad had their long conversation on the
previous evening.
what did you want to talk to me
shout?' she asked her companion as
she poured out for him a second cup OF
The prince locked at her for a mo-
raent as he took the proffered cup. and
being a young man of sane, healthy in
ftIncts, he could think Of nothing for
the moment except her loveliness.
Nella was indeed beautiful that after
noon. The beauty Of even the most
beautiful woman ebbs and flows from
hour to hour. Nella's, this afternoon,
was at the flood.
Vivacious, alert. imperious and yet in
eFablyssweet, she seemed to radiate the
very 10Y and exuberance Of life.
"i have forgotten" he said.
You have forgotten! That is surely
very wrong of you! You gave me to
,,n6arstand that II was something ter
rIbIv important. But. of course, I knew
il couldn't be. because no man, and es-
peciaIIy no prince. ever discussed any
thing really important with woman.
"Recollect. Miss Racksole; that this
afternoon, here / am not the prince.
You are Count Steenbock. is that
u?''
He started.
FOR you only" he said, unconscious
ly lowering his voice. Miss Racksole,
i particularly wish that no one here
should know that 1 was in Paris last
spring"
An affair OF state?' she smiled.
An affair Of state" he replied sober
lY. Even Dinmock doesn't know. 1t
vas strange that we should be fellow
guests at that quiet and out of the way
ho,el-strange but delightful ! shall
never forget that rainy afternoon we
spent together at the Trocadero. Let us
talk about that"
About the rain or the museum?"