, 1921-08-27


and Page had considered this a very
good sign. 1t was after this that the
announcement In the papers of his
sisters engagement to n young
English duke had made her brother
wonder IL that perhaps would not be
even a better thing for him. as It
would give him such grand oppor-
tunities for shooting over his brother
in-law's preserves. And from that
time on he rather discouraged his
roommate in cherishing secret hopes.
He had not hear OF the young
Englishman lately. so he inquired.
loosely and with what he considered
rare discretion and subtlety: III you
weresto marry a duke. Helen. should
l still call you just plain Helen. or
would you make me say Your Grace
as the servants dot"
Helen stopped. ankle-deep in the
mud Of the bazaars. and surveyed
him with such evident amusement
that he laughed in some embarrass-
ment. you could eve truthfuiiy
call me plain Helen Ted" she said.
"and you will Esyer have the chance
to call me the other thing"
"ohl" said her brother. meekly,
that's how 1t is. is it?"
Eyes. that's how 1t is" his sister
echoed him.
Prince Famine. the Russian First
Secretary. He had know Miss Page
in Washington when he was an at
tache of the Russian legation there.
IND had been bold enough to ask her
to marry him. When she declined
to do so. he told 1t hardly, and said
unpleasant things about her. which.
in time. came back to her. She bore
him no ill-will for this: but he did
not appeal to her as a delightful din
nes companion. It was different
with the Russian. for II was his pride
that had been hurt by her refusal
rather than his heart. and he thought
this the sweet moment OF his re-
venge. He could now show the
woman who had refused him when
he was an Insignificant attache that
il was the prospective head of a pow
erful and noble Russian family and
a possible ambassador that she had
overlooked.
He felt the value CT the situation
lkeenly. IL inspired him as a good
part inspires the actor. and he smiled
at his wi thoughts, and twisted his
pointed beard, asd bridled ard bowed
his head like a pretty woman. Miss
Page at first did not notice him at all.
She was intent on what Immen was
telling her of some extravaganza of
Ismail Pasha's. in whose cabinet he
had served: but when he had ceased.
and turned with a sigh to the English
matron. Miss Page moved in her
chair, and surveyed Famine with
smiling ~good-nature.
ut is very nice to see you again.
she said. comfortably; but they tell
me. Prince. that you are such a dan
gerous parsonage now l am really
rather afraid of you"
The Russian bowed his head and
smiled grimly. You did not find me
dangerous once" he said.
But she looked past him, and con
tinued as though he had not spoken.
81 never thought you would take the
service SO seriously" she went on
why, you will be a minister very
soon now. shall you not?"
Famine looked at her sternly, as
though he was in doubt as to her
being serious. Some n has told
your" he asked, frowning.
NO" she said. lightly. But 1t is
about time. is it not? What were
you in Washington? Second Secre-
tary. 1 Think"
"It is not a matter of years." the
it is not SO with some men. 1t is
true I am still a secretary, but our
chief has been away. and-what is it
that you have for a proverb-'when
the cats away the mice'-eh?" He
lifted his eyebrows. and then glanced
quickly up and down the length of the
table, as though to give her the i'm
preston that he was fearful of hav-
ing been overheard. Miss Page did
not apparently notice this by-piay.
She laughed, and then interrupted
herself to listen to something that
was being said across the table before
she answered him.
49," she said. you have, been
plotting and conspiring again, have
you. and we are to have a crisis?
You are all just alike" She laughed
indulgently. at is SO absurd" she
said.
Panine's frown was quite genuine
hoW An bos he cdiur Will nloCk-
ing ~politeness. you think it absurd?
You relieve me-" he added. IT had
feared perhaps you had learned some
thing. Even the most experienced In
our service is sometimes indiscreet.
when 1t is a beautiful woman to
whom he talks"
Her eyes closed for an instant.
which was a trick they had when she
was annoyed or bored. and she turned
to Immen with a smile. The Russian
slipped deeply from his glass and
scowled. He felt that he was not
making that sort of an impression
which the situation should have
called forth. The girl did not yet
seem to appreciate what she had
given up.
Miss Page turned to him again.
I'VE are to have a most amusing eve
ming" she said; did you know?
Immen is going to have Bannerman
in to do his tricks for u.s."
THE mind-reader?"
Yes. Have you ever seen him?"
Famine answered, In the tone OF