The Washington herald., 1914-06-28

l ~
why are you jealous of him. YOU
stupid person." she murmured. "He IS
old enough to be my father"
"And ugly enough for Cal;ban."
Knox asserted. And yet, YOU see how
foolish / am He speaks with an air
of proprietorship. 1t maddens meF'
"AbsurdI" she laughed. WHY. If i,
scarcely twenty-four~ hours since we
met"
But all my life worth living lies in
sisted.
He rose to his feet. His arm was
around her waist. He drew her closer
to him.
There is no one of whom you need
be jealous, she assured him softly.
AS for that old man, will let you into
secret: There IS a plot just now to
catch him tripping. He has been so
hard on others, so brutal all his life. He
believes that | bear a message for him
from Aust-from a country l will not
mention You know nothing about poll
tics: Algernon, but Melinoff thinks him.
self a heaven-sent diplomat We are
lust teaching him that it is possible even
Tor the cleverest to make a slip. In less
than fortnight's time, he will be in
such disgrace with his country that the
chances are he will be recalled But
did you come here" she added, Drop
ping her voice, TO talk politics with
me-"
His arms were around her. her head
tell little back Suddenly the inner
door was thrown open. They sprang
apart Prince Melinoff stood there,
looking at them. His face was white
with anger. his voice shook. After that
trst moments stare OF horror Adele
covered her face with her hands.
So / have to thank an honest serving
woman for my escape, have II" he ex-
claimed. you"
He broke into Russian, speaking rap
idly and with fierce diction. Adele
sank on to her knees. She held out one
hand lmploringly toward him. He
spurned her contemptuously. Finally he
departed. They were left alone. She
rose to her feet slowly and pointed TO
the door. Co." she whispered.
Lady Hanover was almost bad tenn
pered as she wished Knox and De Bri-
nault good-by on the following morning.
Il really don't know whether TO apol-
oglze to you or to scold you both" she
declared with a glance at the footman
who was standing at a discreet dis
tance. Twenty-four hours ago, my
house party promised to be a complete
success. Now everything seems to have
gone wrong. Do you know that at
o'clock Prince Melinoff ordered his
motor car and drove up TO London,
with scarcely a word OF explanation.
Miss de Hagon's maid has Just come
down to say that her mistress has a
headache and will not be down until
luncheon time. Something has hap
pened."
De Brinault raised his cousins hand
TO his lips. Dear Emmie," he affirmed
earnestly, something indeed has hap
pened which you do not understand. but
nevertheless. for all our sakes. do not
regret II. You have obeyed a few SIM
pie requests and given shelter for the
night to a very talented young lady. In
cidentally, you have preserved the peace
of Europe"
De Brinault and Knox drove to the
station, talking most OF the way a little
excitedly. On the platform they were
joined by young lady in a long gray
travelling coat and a very smart French
hat. Knox looked at her in amazement.
Upon my word" he exclaimed
breathlessly, no wonder that old beast
was taken in! Good morning, mad
emoiselleI''
She greeted them with a charming
smile. Success, l trust?" she incurred
De Brinault handed her into a car
riage OF the train which had Just drawn
up. "Mademoiselle," he replied. I'VE
pray so. Till the evening newspapers
are ont, we cannot tell for certain. So
lar as your part was concerned, success
was absolute"
For the rest of my life" Knox
sighed regretfully. Il shall not know
whether l am really in love with Miss
Adele de Hagon or Mile. Dulche. OF
the Coincide Franchise. and temporar-
lily of the Palace, London. Your
fringe, your eyes, your figure, your
She shrugged her shoulders. But.
monsieur, | am famous throughout the
world! | had but to study Miss de
Hagon from the balcony behind the nu-
sicians for ten minutes and the thing
was done"
What l cannot quite understand"
Knox remarked, is where was Miss de
HagOn from II till half past?"
Impressed into a rubber of bridge
by her hostess De Brinault explained.
Her waiting maid-our dear but very
friend Marie-whispered in
her ear three minutes before that the
time for Melinof's little visit was to be
I o'clock"
But now?" Knox exclaimed. "And
last night-afterward2 ,"
De Brinault shook his head. AN af-
fair OF Marie and a sleeping powder"
he remarked. "She will not wake, until
midday and the luncheon is at the Man
sion House at I o'clock"
De Brinault and Knox met early that
evening by appointment at the latter's
club. De Brinault entered. CARRYING an
evening paper. Knox was already
it. The face of the former was
in smiles. My friend" he
exclaimed. you have read? In Paris
they will be jubilant; on the continent
aghast
"AIelinoff, in his speech this morning
at the Mansion House-at the very
luncheon where il was stated that he
would not be present-reafirmed as it
had never been affirmed before. the un-
changing alliance between France and
Russia and the Triple Entente. He
spoke for his country and declared that
no bribe or favor from any other ma