Evening star., 1928-05-13

mountains, .uavan. / confess 1t would
be difficult for you or any other man not
to fall In love with her can under
stand your being happy with her for-
ever, If fate so ordered that you were TO
spend the rest Of your life In the forest
world Gavan. You are living among
people of your own kind, my SON"
Il fell In love with her. mother, the
day / saw her clad as a gypsy In Castle
avenue did not know 1t then, but
now I am certain of It,"
She smiled. II did not know you
we're so impressionable. You fell In love
with a pretty gypsy grip"
"Ah. but she was not a gypsy girl.
he cried triumphantly. That's the
point. MY instincts we're not at fault
You know that am not an impression
able fool. I've seen great many pretty
faces, you know Is It necessary for me
to remind you that fell In love with
girl whose blood Is as good as yours
or mine, whose instincts are as fine, ana
who enjoys mentality far superior
to ---"
"One could say the same and more
for her aunt, Katrane Jabassy GaVan,
his mother reminded him Then she laid
her hand on his knee. II believe she Is
all YOU claim for her I have never
dignity In a girl so young She is not
gauche. she is self-contained, gentle,
and yet. what is quite incomprehensible
to me, there Is something actually inn
pcrious about her. Il wonder what the
attitude Of the Hasentahls will be to-
ward her"
They waited In the ante-room for
the call to present themselves, either
Singly or together. before the Regent
and his cabinet. Half an hour elapsed
before, to Starcourt's aStonishment.
Matilde Won Laggen emerged from the
| hisoric Room of Wrangles," Satiric
name conferred upon the council cham
Der by a sorely harassed young ruler OF
an earlier generation, He was given no
opportunity to question her however.
A stately functionary requested them to
| follow him at once.
A dozen members of the cabinet were
ranged about the long table, the Regent
sitting at the head OF It, They all arose
and bowed to the countess, who took
a chair indicated by the Regent. Star
court remained standing.
Your ladyship," began Count Hal
! font without preamble, we have but
one question to ask you. Are you In
completc accord with your son In respect
| to his proposed and desired matrimonial
| Davos, the robber chieftain OF Droon
| Forest?"
| II was facer. coming like sharp,
| unexpected blow Gavan's mother did
! not hesitate. however She cast the die
! without reservation, now that the time
/ had come for her to stand for or against
| Gerane Davos.
II am. your excellency and gentle
men," she replied promptly. He has
| had ample time In which to decide q
| very important question for himself and
he has done so. He would have taken
| he. as his wife. II they had continued
| to live on In the hills can see no rea-
son why his Judgment should not be as
| good now as 1t was then"
! Several of the ministers smiled at
| this rather cool. ingenious conclusion.
"Ahcm!" coughed the Regent. Turn
| ing to Starcourt. he said: we have
| listened TO the story of-er--Matilde
von Laggen She has given us lengthy
and most interesting recital OF her life
! and experiences In the robber strong
| hold. 1t is not necessary to repeat 1t
| here. Suffice 1t TO say. she has con-
! virced us of many things. She has made
| 1t clear to us that this daughter OF
| Jonifer Davos and Louise Hazenstahl
| is not deserving of harsh treatment at
| our hands In short, sir she Is as / be-
| lieve you yourself have said. creature
| OF circumstances: furthermore. we are
/ now of the opinion that she at no time
| could have been described as a--er--as
an active or even potential member OF
| ths band OF robbers that has just been
| broken up. We have decided, after
| hearing your plea In her behalf and the
| story Of her mothers companion, TO
exercise the power vested in us and dis
| charge her from custody. 1t is my
| pleasure. therefore. Col. Starcourt. To
| Inform you tl.at Gerane Davos viii be
| released from her place OF confinement
| In the Tower one week from today"
Ito Be Continued)