Evening star., 1928-01-10

these DAYS. You mustn't take any.
thing 7 sav or do too seriously. Can't
Won realize. though. that there are
times when one gets tired OF ones
own standards, of ones own good
taste. of ones own nice habits. One
becomes reactionary from sheer hatred
Of monotony. I suppose that's the sort
of mood in which half the idiotic
things in the world are done. Another
eocktail?"
ready we will go home and change.
MIR. Paul is always afraid II any OF
his friends come late that there VIII
be no dinner left
Frances rose to her feet.
"Then let's hurry" she proposed.
I'm hungry"
paul came eagerly forward to meet
them as soon as the two girls entered
the restaurant. His first quick smile
of gratitude was flashed toward Miss
Brown. but IL was Frances with whom
he walked to corner table.
"It is good OF you to come here" he
said. II have been hoping so much to
see YOU again. 1t is a small place, and
I fear that we have not much to oHer:
We shall serve you gladly. however.
IT am sure it will be very nice."
Frances replied. Edith loves coming
here" ..
Miss Brown has been very kind. 1t
Is always a pleasure to see her. hope
YOU will like what we hIve this eve.
ming" Paul went on. presenting the
menu. There Is plenty Of stewed
chicken, but T am afraid the fish is
nearly all finished. We have some
excellent sardines and anchovies,
though"
Give us just what you have.
please" Miss Brown begged. 'and half
a bottle of the win rose."
Paul hurried away to arrange for
their meal. Frances looked after him
lcuriously.
"a most attractive young man." she
declared. eff one can only get over the
idea of his being a waiter
'IIe is a gentleman playing the part
of a waiter" Miss Brown corrected.
II admire him for it very much. He
is trying to help his father and mother
and sister,
Frances lit a cigarette and looked
taround.
"It's rather a jolly little place." she
observed. II suppose that's mamma
behind the desk?"
THAT Is the sister talking to her"
| VI
the father tonight. He is generally at
that top table quarrelihg with an old
friend about the conduct of the war;"
Interesting" Frances fnurmured.
"And the young man? Does he dirt
with you?"
"Mr. Paul Is not that sort. Neither
am !. / like him very much. as any
one would who knew him however
slightly. Besides. it is you whom he
admires."
Then he's stupider than he looks"
Frances declared. You're much nicer
than am. you know, really. Edith
sweet and soft and corscientloLs--and
a dainty little thing. although YOU do
dress like a frunr on the streets. II
I we're a man should be crazy about
you"
.Paul's sister came a little languidly
down the room and talked TO them for
a minute or two: madame bowed gra-
lciously from behind her desk.
Il suppose these people are real.
Frances remarked. an she fiicked the
ash from her cigarette. Somehow or
other they seem to me like ghosts
madame there with her face like a
sphinx. making out bills. and the girl.
obviously 50 tired OF life. yet saying
Just the right thing. moving about as
though she were In palace instead or
In a dingy little restaurant run by her
father ard mother. And your Mr.
Paul He is really like the picture Of
the wonderful young soldiers you see
in levee uniform standing round the
throne-and here he comes bringing
the sardines"'
Paul fingered for a few minutes
talking all the while 10 Frances. After
1 IafA
watched the two girls anxiously.
at IL good?" h.s asked. referring 10
the chicken. 'Yon like 1t? Some
more of the rice. perhaps?"
Excellent" they both told him.
"If you knew what n treat II is TO
sat food like this Frances said
| after the wretched little messes / get
at home
"r Ii simple" Paul replied. evi.
IDENTITY gratified. but We are very
clean and careful In the kitchen. Now
prepare you special coffee"
Miss Brown glanced around the
room.
And please have yours with Us"
she begged. There are 10 few people
left"
He accepted her invitation with q
grateful little bow and sat At the end
OF the table.
Can you tell me. please" Miss
Brown inquired. whether you know
anything about the Princess Strepan
and her husbandr"
zone knows who they are. OF
course the young man replied. after
| a moments hesitation. They are like
the rest Of us. only they are fortunate.
The princess saved her jewels and
they both have gifts"
'"rhey belong To your society Miss
Brown ventured TO ask.
Paul seemed for a moment embar
RAISED.
"As a matter OF fact" he admitted,
they do not. Among some OF us
my father for one--there has always
existed u curious feeling OF distrust Of
tho StrepafYs. They ara born. OF
course. their position In unassailable.
but the prince haa sometimes express.
ed very curious views. and there ex.
ists, AZ one knows. between the
princess and Maiakoif. the musician.
u great friendship"
And Malakoff?"
He IL one Of the most advanced
Communists IN the world" Paul de.
clared gravely. "Iie lives out Of Rus.
sla. but hS In none the less dangerous.
There Is n belief that IL is he who has
| organized the International Cominu.
nistic Association on the Continent
ana that. as you may have heard. is u
very dangerous movement. but / per
haps any too much. OF the prince or
princess | know very little. They
have been generous In helping some
of our poorer fellow country people,
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