Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-30

elusive SET In New DIRK ana newport. he
had an incomprehensib1e lot of money and
taste for the diplomatic service. Some day
he would be an Ambassador. The Baron
was in the Russian Embassy and was really
very nice boy.
FROM where we sat the figure of Pless
was plainly visible in the loggia. He was
alone, leaning against the low wall and look
ing down upon the river He pulled idly at
a cigarette. His coal-black hair grew very
sleek on his smallish head, and his shoulders
were rather high, as if pinched upward by
tendency to define weak spine.
sand this Mr.. Pless, who is hep
Elsie was looking at the rakish young
blue eyes, aPoor fellow" she sighed. ale
is in great trouble, John. We hoped that if
we got off here where it is quiet he might be
able to forget but am not supposed to
tell you word of the story! We are all
sworn to secrecy. 1t was only on that con-
dition that he consented to come with us"
"Indeed!"
She hesitated, uncomfortably placed be-
tween two duties. She owed one to him and
one to me. at is only fair John, that you
should know that Pless is not his real name"
she said, lowering her voice. "But of course
we stand sponsor for him; so it is all right"
She seemed to be debating some inward
question. The next | knew she moved
little closer to me. "His life is IA tragedy"
she whispered. "His heart is broken, /
firmly believe. OH"
The Billy Smiths came up. Elsie pro-
ceeded to withdraw into herself.
awe were speaking of Mr.. Pless," said l.
@He has broken heart"
The newcomers looked hard at poor Elsie.
Broken fddlesticks!" said Billy Smith,
nudging Elsie until she made room for him
beside her on the long couch.
promptly made room for Betty Billy.
3We ought to tell John just little about
him." said Elsie defensively. at is due him,
Billy"
3But don't tell him the fellows heart is
broken. That's rot!"
at isn't rot" said his wife. "Wouldn't
your heart be broken?"
"Not if it were as porous as his. You can't
break sponge, my dear
@What happened to it," inquired, mildly
interested.
women" said Billy impressively.
@Then it's easily patched said l. Like
cures like"
3You don't understand, John" said Elsie
grave1y. "He was married to beautiful"
"Now, Elsie, you're telling!' cautioned
Betty Billy.
4Well," said Elsie doggedly, am deter
mined to tell this much: His name isn't
Pless, his wife got divorce from him, and
now she has taken their child and run off
with it, and they can't fnd-what's the
matter?"
My eyes were almost popping from my
head. "Is-he COUNT" | cried, SO loudly
that they all said @Sh!' and shot apprehen-
sive glances toward the pseudo Pless.
Goodness" said Elsie in alarm. Don't
shout John!'
Billy Smith regarded me speculatively.
II dare say Mr.. Smart has read all about the
affair in the newspapers. They've had
nothing else lately. l won't say he is
Count, and l won't say he isn't. We're
bound by deep, dark, sinister oath, sealed
with blood"
Il haven't seen anything about it in the
papers, said I, trying to recover my self
possession, which had sustained a most ire
mendous shock.
"Thank Heaven cried Elsie devoutly.
"Do you mean to say you won't tell me
his name?" l demanded
Elsie eyed me suspiciously. "Why did
you ask if he was COUNT
II have a vague recollection of hearing
someone speak of a Count having trouble
with his young American wife,-divorce, or
something of the sort. A very prominent