Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-03-28

ed no instruction in our way of doing
the twostep. She glided through it as
naturally as Point girl herself, and
when | told her so She shrugged her
pretty shoulders and answered:
You are not the first American at
tache, you know.
May l not have another dance later?'
/ asked.
She shook her head. II shall dance
no more tonight,'' she said Then we
reached the door and found the small
room crowded with Officials and digni-
taries. The princess halted sharply.
But you may Take me for il turn OH
the terrace" she concluded.
AS we crossed the vide floor the
crowd fell back, but Deilra gave no
greeting to any one, though she must
nave known all eyes We're upon US.
Yet, to give her due credit, she seem
ed as unconscious of it us if we We're
alone in the room. AS for me, l admit
l was acutely conscious of it, and the
walk to the door seemed endless.
must have shown my relief when 1t
was over, for the princess looked up
with a smile.
Can you remember several years
back?" she said.
$50, she had recognized me)
THAT depends" said l. II have
bad memory except for pleasant
things"
She gave me a sharp look do you
know Captain Smith of your army?"
Smith is a very common name in
America. | know at least dozen who
are officers
John Smith is his name. He was
captain six years ago"
appeared to think a moment. II
Know two such--one in the cavalry
the other in the engineers
Describe them, please"
| showed surprise. docs your royal
highness?'-
She cut in. "That is just what she
is trying to find out"
"Yes?"
Whether either of them is the Cap
tain Smith l have in mind"
Both would be much honored."
am not so sure as to the one l
mean. He was very conceited fell
low"
l gritted back smile. 'It must
nave been the engineer" said. He's
good deal of a prig, but in many
ways he Is good sort of chap
This Captain Smith, she snd,
was he in Valera six years ago."
l reflected a moment eyes, he was
here that year"
She thought bit. "Was he given
to reminiscingY
NO one in America but myself
knew he had been to valeria."
She smiled.
| saw the blunder. ut happened he
knew Of my Dalberg descent" / has
tened to add
HAS he ever mentioned an a(lven-
ture in the forest near the summer
paace?"
Il am quite sure he has not" / said,
but without looking at her.
Then | felt touch on my arm. and
| took her gloved fingers in my own
and held them
You are very good, COUSIN. she
said. then loosed her hand.
when did you recognize me?" I
asked.
"When you kissed me- That was
why | was so angry"
II noticed you were annoyed"
Yet l was more disappointed
yes" / infected.
''To have my ideal Captain Smith
shattered SO completely"
But when you learned it was your
cousin?"
THAT saved the ideal.'
But l cannot live up to the cap
TAIN
She shook her head. There is no
need. The captain is dead 1t is my
Cousin Armand now"
The second morning after the ball
arose early-in fact. just as the bugles
of the garrison were sounding reveille
and went for horseback ride into
the country. Though / knew about
all the roads in the vicinity, / confess
it never occurred to me to take any
but that which led toward the summer
palace and the place where | had first
met the princess
AS | logged through the streets
went over my experiences and always
with the same result would enjoy
them while they lasted. Afterward--
well, afterward would be time enough
when it came. So shrugged my
shoulders and returned the salute Of
the officer at the gate and rode out into
the open country.
had gone possibly mite when there
came the beat of running hoofs behind
me and rapidly nearing. Thinking it
might be messenger from the en-
bassy I swung around in the saddle,
only to find the front horse was rid
den by woman and the other by
groom.
My first thought was, "the princess
My next, by Joye, she rides well:s'