Tombstone epitaph., 1915-05-30


 The next day heard that he had quilted England under the displeasure of the empress. and some years passed before was again reminded of his ex- istence."
 The ambassador stopped and licked his cigarette ash into the fireplace be- fore us with much dexterity
 Tt was in - that l next met with my baron.'' His excellency checked himself abruptly and ap- peared 10 be overwhelmed with con fusion al having allowed this name 10 escape him. l was careful to show that had not heard i,.
 You met him. where did you say?" I asked languidly.
 Tn the dominions of the emperor whose illustrious conscrt l have spo- ken of" replied the ambassador. swiftly recovering himself 'I had just been appointed to the charge of our embassy in the imperial capital. and it was at a state ball given in honor of the crown princes birthday that recognized MagratZ again
 lie was moving about among the guests with the assured manner of one who held a recognized position at court. He wore on his breast the cross of the order Of St. Luke, the sec ond order in the empire. and everyone appeared 10 treat him with marked distinction. But what attracted my notice particularly was a young girl or extraordinary beauty, whom he was escortiag through the ballroom, and who clung to his arm with delicious shyness. You know that I am not easily moved by the sex; picture the fascination of this damsel. therefore. when I tell you that I had hard work to refrain from going up to the baron and soliciting an Introduction. While l was wondering who she could be. and how Magratz had con trived 10 regain the imperial favor. observed q movement in the crowd through which the pair was straying. The bystanders fell back. and 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 dozen royal orders. It vas the crown prince.
 The prince. whose leaden face flushed with pleasure on catching sight O, the couple. greeted Magratz in a style of much intimacy, and ea- gerly took possession of his exquisite partner, whom he led of through the apartments out of my sight "Magratz stood looking after them with an expression of dark and fur. tive satisfaction. Then he turned 1 round. and for the first time caught | my eye. He bowed with a polite. almost cordial air, and advanced towards me through the throng Permit me to welcome you to my country, M. rAmbassadeur.' he said, extending his hand. which I accepted ! with reluctance. What little iniu- ence I may possess here. and espe- cially with his imperial highness. is entirely al your service. I trust you | will allow me. within the next few days. the pleasure O. paying my re. | spects to you at the embassy
 While l murmured my formal ac. knowledgmen;s I could not take my eyes oil his face. l: was doubtless an illusion. but thought could distinct, ly perceive faint purple mark where | I had seen the whip of the empress 1 descend
 M. de Magratz no doubt diyined my thoughts. or rather they were con. veyed to him without words. by that subtle process for which science has not yet invented suitable name. He bit his lip and permitted himself an ilEbred remark:
 | ITO a man Of your excellency's s well-known discretion it would be an | impertinence to recommend silence with regard to certain incidents of the past
 | T bowed. but with coldness, and changed the subject by compliment ing him on the beauty of the young girl whose arm he had just relin pushed
 "'Ah, that is my niece he observed | with affected careleshness. She ie an orphan whom I have brought up The crown prince is good enough to interest himself in her. but of course the difference in their ranks is too great for it to be any more than q passing fancy
 He pronounced these last words with a fatherly air which did not i'm pose upon me. even fancied I de tected in them . yelled allusion tc the circumstances of our last meeting
 T turned on my heel. feeling strange ly disturbed. and passed on througl the rooms. The crown prince and hi charming partner were nowhere to bt seen.
 The ambassador paused His ciga rette was smoked out. and he pro ceeded to roll himself a fresh one. Catching sight in the crowd of m,
 friend the little Count Messana of tn, Italian legation. I resolved to cues tion him. The count is a most remark ) able man. He IS the greatest reposi : tory Of scandal in the whole of Eu rope. and. as his tongue never spare
 man or woman. he is immensely popu lar and goes everywhere"