The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-07-17

VIII
Half a doren women we're with
her. her maids OF honor. scarcely
iess beautifully robed than the
Princess. excepting one. and per
haps II was only by contrast with
the others that she gave tho I'M
preston OF simplicity. Her dress
was silver gray. her mask was
gray. her shoes we're gray.
In spite OF hls anger. the King
had evidently waited for the com.
ing OF his niece. and a few mo.
ments later the music OF the frs,
dance began.
Tho Count was dancing with the
Princess II was a stately msss
urc 10 open the ball. one In which
only n fe~ selected parsons Joined.
and noted the grace OF tho Prin-
cess. and OF vArna. too.
You do not dance. monsieur
turned quickly. Close beside
mo was the woman IN gray who
had been with the Princess.
NO. mademoiseile. ! am on duty
tonight"
A smile parted hcr iips. II was
pretty mouth. shaped as a WON.
ans should be. and the teeth we're
perfect
Docs duty forbid your speaking
to mo-" she asked
mo. mademoisclle."
ia there not some quieter place
than this where NO may talkT"
Was ] stIll fool enough 10 walk
blindly into snareY I aid not
answer and she laughed at my
hesitation.
Truly. monsieur. vol had more
gallantry at your command whom
you opened the door into tho
Kings garden for n serving maid. ="
] started. az we'll might Had
this small affair been gossiped
about all over the city, Slowly
my eyes travelled from the dark.
brown hair across the gray mask.
down the soft folds OF her dress.
down ~ tho trim ankle and the
littlo gray shoe which just pceped
out from under her gown.
''Youl II was your"
whore we may talkY" she asked
Indeed. mademoisellel" | STAN.
mered.
Come. then. before this dance
ends, and the Princess calls me
You must take me. You know the
palace OF Dravstadt better than r."
There was a small room rarely
used. A passage from tho oorri
dor led to II. and I had little fear
that interruption would come
there. ! ted the way and was sure
that no ono saw us turn into the
passage
There should be candles on this
table" said
III them. four Of them in n
wrought-iron stand. Then the
light OF the candles was upon her,
and the gray mask was in her
hand.
The world Is full OF beautiful
women. But what shall say OF
herr She was so perfect that I
began to look for some little flaw,
and could find none. She was the
ideal which man may perchance
find in his dreams. but can rarely
see face TO face In real world.
who are your" | asked bluntiy.
who am /? A maid of honor
TO the Princess suzanne"
But your Manner
Does Il matter. Monsieur HeseI.
tonf-you she know yours already.
Think OF me az the lady In gray.
| have heard that the King was
angry because you let serving
maid into his garden. Is that
true7"
Quite true. but that does not
trouble me"
She flashed n quick smile at me
and then went on:
II have said that | am maid
of honor 20 Princess Suzanne. |
alone came with the Princess from
Syere. The other ladies about her
tonight are of Dravstadt, appointed
TO attend her by tho King-the
garnishing of the sacrifice. We
were brought from Syere under es.
cort," she continued, "a display, the
real significance OF which was tina,
we we're guarded like prisoners.
and treated in much that fashion
a Kings method Of frightening n
woman into submission. Had we
been less well guarded on the road
from Syere, the Princess would not
have arrived In Dravstadt."
Tell the Princess II is danger.
Gus to play with His Majesty" |
said
u take the warning also 10 my.