Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-06-20

| just going to tell this to Izzet Bey
when I also remembered what the
princess had just told me about CIV
ing any information to Ahmed Pasha.
oS 1 merely opened my eyes very in
nocently and gaZed at Colonel IzZet
and shook my head as though I did
not understand his question.
The next instant the princess came
and she looked at Izzet Bey with a
funny sort Of smile, as though she
had surprised him in mischief and
was not angry, only amused. And
when Colonel Izzet bowed, I saw how
red his face had grown-as red as his
fez.
The princess laughed and said in
French: THAT is the difference be-
tween professional and amateur-be-
tween Nizam and Redif-between
Ahmed Pasha and our esteemed but
very youthful attache-who has much
yet to learn about that endless war
called Peace!"
I didn't know what she meant, but
Izzet Bey turned a bright scarlet,
bowed again, and returned to the
smoking room.
And that night, while Suzanne was
unlocking me, Princess Naia came
into my bedroom and asked me some
questions, and L told her about the
box of instruments and the diary,
and the slippery linen papers COW
cred with drawings and German writ
ing, with which I used to play.
She said never to mention them
to anybody, and that I should never
permit anybody to examine those
military papers, because it might be
harmful to America.
How odd and how thrilling! I am
most curious to know what all this
means. It seems like an exciting
story just beginning, and I wonder
| what such a girl as 1 has to do with
secrets which. concern the Turkish
charge in Paris.
Don't you think it promises to be
romantic? Do you suppose it has
anything to do with spies and diplo-
macy and kings and thrones and ter
rible military secrets? One hears
great deal about the embassies here
being hotbeds of political intrigue.
And of course France is always think
ing of Alsace and Lorraine, and there
is an ever-present danger of war in
Europe.
Mr.. Neeland, it thrills me to pre-
tend to myself that I am actually
| living in the plot of a romance full
of mystery and diplomacy and dam
gerous possibilities. 1 hope some
thing will develop as something al
ways does in novels.
And alas, my imagination, which
always has been vivid, needed almost
nothing to blaze into flame. 1t is
on IRE now L courts anu
armies, and ambassadors and spies;
I construct stories in which 1 am
the heroine alwayS-sometimeS the
! interesting and temporary victim OF
wicked plots; sometimes the all-pow
erful, dauntless and adroit champion
of honor and righteousness against
treachery and evil!
Did you ever suppose that L still
could remain such a very little girl?
But I fear that l shall never out
grow my imagination. And it needs
almost nothing to set me dreaming
castles and princes and swans and
| fairies. And even this letter seems
| a part of some breathlessly interest
ing plot which I am not only creating
but actually living part of and des-
| tined to act in.
Do you want part in it? Shall
| include you? Rather late to ask your
permission, for 1 have already in
cluded you. And, somehow, / think
the Yellow Devil ought to be includ-
| ed, too.
Please write to me, just once. But
don't speak of the papers which IA
Their had, and don't mention Herr Con-
| rad Winners box if you write. The
princess says your letter might be
stolen.
I am very happy. 1t is rather cold
tonight, and presently Suzanne will
unlock me and 1 shall put on such
pretty negligee. and then curl up
in bed. turn on my reading light
with the pink shade, and continue to
read the new novel recommended to
me by Princess Naia. called lie
Crime de Sylvestre Bonnard." 1t is
perfectly darling story, and Ana
to1e GRANGE. who wrote it, must be
darling, too. The princess knows
him and PROMISES that he Shall dine
with us some day. I expect to l.
in love with him Immediately.
Good night, dear Mr.. Neeland. |
hope you will write to me.
Your little Gayfield friend grown up
RUHANNAH CAREW.
Go BE Continued>