The Ordway new era., 1917-08-17

came even more mystitied by his ac-
tions few days later.
l was in ignorance that fortnight
before Hermann Hardt, one of his
highness' couriers. had left Potsdam
and on arrival at Nice had rented for
three months the fine Villa Lilas.
We soon settled there and on the
evening of our arrival l accompanied
the crown prince down into the town
to the Jetee promenade.
We smoked together and chatted. as
we often did when his imperial high
| ness became bored. l was still mysu-
/ fed why we had come to the Riviera
so early in the season.
| Yet our coming had. no doubt, been
privately signaled, because within half
an hour of our arrival at the Villa
Lilas short. stout old Frenchman.
with white, bristly hnir-who l af-
terward found out was Monsieur Paul
. Bavouzet the newly appointed prefect
| of the department of Alpes-M -Maritimes
called, TO leave his card, upon the
/ Count Won Grunau.
/ The imperial incognito only means
| that the public are TO be deluded. Off
| cialdom never is. They know the ruse.
/ and support 1t all the world over. His
/ hlghness the crown prince was paying
his annual visit to Nice. and the presi-
dent had sent his compliments through
| his representative, the bristly-haired
little prefect.
As departed from the crown prince,
who yawned and declared that he was
tired, he said:
"Ah, Heltzendorff. How good Ii is
to get breath of soft air from the
Mediterranean We shall have a port
on this pleasant sea one day-if we
live as long-eh?"
That remark showed the trend OF
events. 1t showed how, hand in hand
with the emperor, he was urging prep
| arations for war-a war that had for
its primary object the destruction OF
the powers which, when the volcano
erupted, united as allies.
The Mysterious Lady.
After we had been at the Villa Lilas
about ten days l was one afternoon
seated outside the popular Cafe de
rOpera. in the Place Massena. when q
lady, dressed in deep mourning and
wearing the heavy veil in French style
passed along the pavement. glanced al
me, and then. hesitating, she turned
and. coming back. advanced to the lit
tie table in the corner whereat l was
sitting.
MAY be permitted to have wore
with you, monsieur" she asked II
French. in low, refined voice.
Certainly" was my reply, and,
rose and drew chair for her
She glanced round quickly. a.
though to satisfy herself that She
would not be overheard. / saw tina
she was about twenty-four, handsome
dark haired, with well-cut features.
81 know, monsieur, that l am com
plete stranger to you,' she exclaimed
with a smile. but to me you are quit
familiar by sight. I have passed yo'
many times in Berlin and In PotsdhH
and I know that you are Count VOL
Heltzendorff. personal adjutant to hi
highness the crown prince-or Coun
Won Grunau, as he Is known here Il
France"
!. "You know that ~ exclaimed.
She smiled mysteriously. replying
"Yes. I-well, / happen to be
: friend of his highness."
1 held my breath. So this prett
young Frenchwoman was one Of m
! imperial masters friends!
"The fact Is" she went on, II hav
Travelled a considerable distance to Sc
you. I said that / was one of tn
. crown princes friends. Please do nc
! misunderstood me. know that h
) has good many friends, but l hav
never been introduced to him, and h
does not know me-. am his frien
r because Of a certain friendliness tt
ward him."
REALLY, madame. don't quite vi
derstand," said.
j "Of course not" she answered, an
then, glancing round. she added: "Thl
place is little too public. Cannt
: we go across the garden yOnder7"
) rose and walked with her to
/, quiet spot In the gardens.
) She told me that her name W.
} Julis d Rouvflle. but she would giv
> ~ acccunt cf where si1e Lived.
n k4ys vsltse ~ Approach ~,
!. i he9t 3 s gae2 ~ crow
~ ~; 5I...ttS q Il ikH4 4. ~