The Red Cloud chief., 1915-05-20

and he passed on, with a wicked smile,
and rode away out Of sight.
1.-THE next day ] heard that he a
Quilted England under the displeasure
of the empress, and some years passed
before I was again reminded OF his ex'
%istence."
The ambassador stopped and ficked
his cigarette ash into the fireplace be-
fore us with much dexterity.
ct was in - that l next met
with my baron" His excellency
checked himself abruptly and APP
peared to be overwhelmed with con-
fusion at having allowed this name
to escape him. I vas careful to show
that ! had not heard IL.
you met him. where did you say?"
I asked languidly.
ON the dominions Of the emperor
whose illustrious consort ! have spo-
ken Of" replied the ambassador.
swiftly recovering himself. II had
Just been appointed to the charge OF
our embassy in the imperial capital.
and IL war at a state ball given In
honor Of the crown princes birthday
that l recognized Magratz again.
He was moving about among the
guests with the assured manner Of n
who held a recognized position at
| court. lie wore on his breast the
| cross OF the order of st. Luke, the sec
| ond order In the empire. and everyone
appeared to treat him with marked
| Jl,tl,l-, D,x ,ph,t aNraptnI vpu
notice particularly was a young girl
Of extraordinary beauty, whom he was
escorting through the ballroom, and
who chung to his arm with a delicious
shyness. You know that | am not
easily moved by the sex; picture the
when I tell you that | had hard work
to refrain from going up to the baron
and soliciting an introduction.
"While I was wondering who she
could be, and how Magratz had con
trived to regain the imperial favor, !
observed a movement in the crowd
through which the pair was straying.
The %bystanders fell back. and a young
man suddenly came through, a young
man with heavy features and blood
shot. rolling eyes. who was dressed
in a rich uniform blazing with the
stars of a dozen royal orders. II was
the crown prince.
THE prince, whose leaden face
flushed with pleasure OF catching
sight Of the couple, greeted Magrat;
in a style OF much intimacy. and ca
Rerly took possession OF his exquisite
partner. whom he led of through thu
apartments out OF my sight.
"Magratz stood looking after then
with an expression of dark and fur
tive satisfaction. Then he turned
round, and for the first time caugh
my eye. He bowed with a polite
almost cordial air, and advanced
towards me through the throng.
"'Permit me to welcome you to m,
country. M. lAmbassadeur,' he said
, extending his hand. which | accepte'
with reluctance. What little infu
/ ence ! may possess here, and espt
r cially with his imperial highness. |
, entirely at your service. trust 20
I will allow me. within the next FEY
2 days, the pleasure Of paying my r.
! spects to you at the embassy
I while l murmured my formal a.
acknowledgements l could not take IN
eyes OFF his face. 1t was doubtless n
illusion, but ! thought l could distinc
ly perceive a faint purple mark wheI
d | had seen the whip Of the empires
d descend.
M. de Magratz no doubt OWNED II
thoughts, or rather they were co
veyed to him without words. by tn
n subtle process for which science hi
a. not yet invented n suitable name. I
nt bit his lip and permitted himself ,
" ill-bred remark:
"To a man OF your excellency
ne well-known discretion 1t would be
ne impertinence to recommend silen
an with regard to certain incidents OF I
as past
rk 81 bowed. but with GOODNESS. a
ce changed the subject by complime'
go. ing him on the beauty Of the you
er girl whose arm he had just rel
lis pushed.
"'Ah! that is my niece he observe
with affected ca~releshness, She
lat an orphan whom l have brought
nv. The crown prince is good enough
,ht interest himself In her. but OF cou'
DIV the difference In their ranks is
ne, great for 1t to be any more than
ing passing fancy
wi. "He pronounced these last wo
with a fatherly air which did not
md pose upon me l even fancied !
on tected In them a yelled allusion
,ss- the circumstances Of our last meeti
,th. II turned on my heel, feeling strar
ant ly disturbed, and passed on thro
ad- the rooms The crown prince and
charming partner were nowhere to
ssa- seen"
The The ambassador paused. His c
,ubt rette was smoked out, and he
n.y. ceeded to roll himself n fresh one,
# a Catching sight in the crowd Of
old friend the little Count Messana of