Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-04-06

have very little recollection of that
dance, but I do know that Dehra need
ed no instruction in our way of doing
the twostep. She glided through it as
naturally as a Point girl herself, and
when 1 told her so she shrugged her
pretty shoulders and answered:
You are not the first American at
tache, you know"
May not have another dance later?r
L asked.
She shook her head. st 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 turn Old
the terrace she concluded
As we crossed the wide floor the
crowd fell back, but Dehra gave no
greeting to any one, though she must
have known all eyes We're upon US.
Yet, to give her due credit, she seem
ed as unconscious of it as if we were
alone in the room. As for me, admit
l was acutely conscious of it, and the
walk to the door seemed endless. I
must have shown my relief when it
was over, for the princess looked up
with smile.
Can you remember several years
back?'' she said
$50, she had recognized mel
THAT depends" said 1. 81 have a
bad memory except for pleasant
things
She gave me sharp look. do you
know a 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 a
captain six years ago"
l appeared to think a moment ST
know two such-one in the cavalry,
the other in the engineers"
Describe them, please
1 showed surprise. Does your royal
highness? '-
She cut in "That is just what she
is trying to find OUT
'fYes?''
whether either of them is the Cap
tain Smith I have in mind"
Both would be much honored"
Il am not so sure as to the one
mean. He was a very conceited fell
low"
1 gritted back a smile. "It must
have been the engineer" I said. Hes
good deal Of a prig, but in many
ways he is a good sort of chap
This Captain Smith, she said,
was he in Valera six years ago?'
I reflected a moment. ayes, he was
here that year"
She thought a bit. WAS he given
to reminiscing?"
mo one in America but myself
knew he had been to Valeria."
| She smiled.
I saw the blunder. ct happened he
knew of my Dalberg descent" 1 has
tened to add.
| HAS he ever mentioned an adven-
palace?''
81 am quite sure he has not" said,
but without looking at her
Then l felt a touch on my arm, and
I 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"
asked.
when you kissed me- That was
| why l was so angry"
Il noticed you were annoyed"
yet 1 was more disappointed
"Yes?" 1 infected.
ITO have my ideal Captain Smith
! shattered so completely"
But when you learned it was your
cousin?"
THAT saved the ideal.'
But 1 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 I
arose early-in fact, just as the bugles
of the garrison were sounding reveille
and went for horseback ride into
the country. Though I knew about
all the roads in the vicinity, I 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 I logged through the streets I
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 1 shrugged my
shoulders and returned the salute of
the officer at the gate and rode out into
the open country
/ had gone possibly mile when there
came the beat of running hoofs behind
me and rapidly nearing Thinking it
| bassy l swung around in the saddle,
only to find the front horse was rid
den by a woman and the other by a