The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-22
1.-THE Little Grey Shoe''

know not whether it was her
question or whether her eyes be-
trayed the secret of her heart, but
my soul was suddenly on fire and
the hot blood was leaping riotous-
ly through my veins.
Il want no thanks, only love-
only you. When you came into
the barracks yard at Dravstadt,
you came into my life, and never
again can you go out of it. think
there is nothing l may not attain
to if you will give me love. On,
my dear, tell me, whisper it, or
let me look deep into your eyes
for moment and | shall read the
truth there"
Her hands were in mine, but
she did not look at me.
Since l have come to Vienna l
have heard of nothing but duty"
she said in a low tone. ut has
been the subject of nearly every
Duty! What duty? To the
Princess? Is she in peril? Is 1t
your duty to help her? Let me
share your burden"
You cannot understand. You
cannot help me-" she said.
do l stand between you and
duty?"
You and my own heart. No,
no: do not make it harder for
me-" she said quickly, as my
hands frightened upon hers and |
would have drawn her close to
me. Let me go. Let me stand
away from you. While you touch
me am not mistress of myself"
let go her hands and she step
ped back from me.
Il thought | had fought my
battle and won. Today l meant
Toto"
To send me away?
Yes. But now | am not strong
enough to do it, to make my
choice. 1t is duty against, yes,
against love-why should you not
know it?-and you must help me.
Tomorrow will choose tomor-
row. / will tell you everything
then, and you must help me-
She threw out her arms In a
gesture of despair.
MY dear, my dear, what can l
say?"
Nothing, now. Tomorrow"
fell upon my knee and raised
her hand to my lips. Tomorrow"
| murmured.
Wild joy and utter perplexity
both were mine. Love was mine,
the love of the most beautiful
woman God had fashioned, and
for a little while this thought was
all-absorbing. But what was this
duty which menaced her happi-
ness and mine?
l was not destined to remain
long in ignorance. Early in the
evening I had a visitor. Lord
Winterford, the English Ambas-
sador. l recognized him as the
elderly man who had looked at
me SO keenly as he passed through
the anteroom that afternoon.
Il have just come from the pal
ace, Capt. Heselton," he said, ab-
ruptly, as the door closed.
Il have been with her. She does
not know I have come to you. l
have thought 1t right to take upon
myself a disagreeable task"
L am sure you are doing what
you believe to be right, Lord Win
terford."
Strange how familiar your
face is to me-" he said.
Il am sure we have never met"
| said with a smile. II have had
strange companions for some
time past"
"The Kings Guard. Yes, we
have heard tales of the Dravstadt
Guard, exaggerated. no doubt
Probably not" answered.
We'll, Capt. Heselton, I have
heard your story, but only second
hand; do you mind telling it to me
yourself?"
1t was easy to comply because
1t meant speaking about my lady.
told him the whole story of my
sojourn in Dravstadt, simply and
without reservation.
1T is tale of courage and en-
durance of which any man might
be proud, Captain Heselton," he
said, when I had finished. 1.-THE
political position you appear to
understand. The throne ID vacant,
When Christian Of varna died in
that dim hollow In the forest, by
your hand, You made an inter.
national crisis"
The Princess
HAS left her country he said
quickly. "She IL on her way ia
Parfs.'
she must return"
He WAS silent for a moment.
you would 30 advise hcr--1f
| you had the opportunity ! mean -
be said slowly.
Certainly. what ciss can she