The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-09-17

mas nuu TOT grnnu opera. This Is her
only appearance In public since she re-
turned from Europe. There's Anton
van Stosch. Did you ever see any one
30 eager to go everywhere as that man
is? He's simply crazy about meeting
Americans"
American women strangers. you
should say" laughed a man wearing
the cross of the Legion OF Honor. ."You
can get Tony Won StOsch to 20 any
where just by limiting that some new
girls will be there"
"They say ut the German legation
that by actual count Tony Won StoscI,
has met 800 new girls since the sea
son opened. And he's still going"
As the ripple of merriment greeting
this expression Of the well known fol-
BILE OF the popular Anton Won Stoscb
died awny some one said: Hush! The
program begins"
For some time Anton Won Stosch
watched the artists come and go, his
face wearing an unwonted look Of wea-
riness and encouragement. For months
he had sought diligently for the two
American women who called Washing
ton their home. who had been his fel.
low travellers from Berlin to Hamburg
on that fateful August day. More than
once he had followed a 1.-THE, active
girl with glinting chestnut hair, only to
find It was a stranger instead Of "vir.
ginia Of Washington" as he had come
to call her. Day after day, night after
night, he had followed the whirl Of the
social wheel. but never had he found
clew to their identity. He had spent
hours porting over the city directory,
but never young Virginia nor an el-
derly Ellen proved to be the first bear.
ers Of the names he had met so oddly.
As a ripple Of enthusiastic applause
greeted the appearance of the star Of
the evening Anton Won StOsch raised
his eyes and then grew rigid as he saw
"Virginia of Washington" I'm the flesh.
smiling acknowledgment to the enthu-
siasm. One long look to assure himself
II was really she, and Anton Won
Stosch sat back In his chair with fold.
ed arms and look OF content upon his
face such as IL had not worn In all the
months since he had arrived ut the
German legation. No sooner was the
program ended than he made his way
to the blue room where Miss Dressed
was holding court and without delay
sought an Introduction.
"Oh" said Miss Dressed, her hand
poised halfway toward his "Why-Oh.
I'm glad to meet you. I'm sure" she
ended lamely as she saw her exclama-
ton and gesture had attracted atten-
tlon. Anton Won StOsch looked straight
into her eyes as he took her hand.
IL am glad to meet yOu-again," hc
said quietly. II have hunted this town
over to find you. May call tomor-
row"
"I-I-oh. really don't know" said
Miss Dressed. Then she began to laugh
almost Historically. ITS all too absurd
and I can't talk about 1t nOw--and
please don't get offended, but was so
surprised and
"Pll watt" said Anton Won StOsch.
quietly falling back. 1T Is quite
enough to know that have found you
at last"
Though he spoke no more to her that
evening. Miss Dressed was well aware
that he followed her from group to
group and from room to room, as II
fearful Of losing sight Of her. AS the
door OF her carriage was snapped shut
his face appeared In the opening, and
he said quietly. but firmly:
II shall do myself the honor to call
upon you tomorrow afternoon"
Had Anton Won StOsch been less
eager or determined he would have
waited until the conventional hour of
calling and possibly have missed Miss
Dressed for his conventiOnallty, but as
1t was he arrived SO early and unex.
| pectedly upon the scene that he was
ushered into the library. where she sat.
~ don't know how they do things In
America" he said after the first greet.
lngs. "but I'm not going to lose any
more time. desire much that you
should be my wife," he said simply.
dropping unconsciously into the Ger
man idiom.
Miss Dressed had seen the night be.
fore Just what the intentions OF Anton
Won Stosch were. and she had been try
Ing to make up her mind whether to
let the airnir run It's course or to evade
the issue by another flight. She was
taken wholly unnwares by the expedi-
tiOusness of his attack,
But I've only seen you three times
In my lifc!" she gaspcd. II cant con
slider anything Of the kind from man
] know SO little as that"
| "fOu don't love auother?" said An
ton Won St0sch, growing pale.
NO." said Miss Dressed. hut
Then III make my fight" said An
ton won Stosch, land l mean to win.
It's life or death to me. and no man
who Is II man will give up his life
without struggle"
That was the beginning Of one Of
the prettlest cOurtshiDs that ever
crossed the horizon Of Washington
life. and since Anton Won StOsch was
a gentleman as well as pnn Of
promise In his chosen career the June