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TINO HUKLINUTON KKEtt PUKSS : TlU'ItSDAi, MA V ill, WW). BY ROBERT BARR. nnd tlicro nro tn in.uiv tn whom they 1 l'lm-p ot a laugh trprli:hf, 1WI. In- Tlnhrrl tlirrl The room which had been allotted lo Jennie Paxtcr iu the Sehlnss Stein hrlnicr nujnvrd a inot extended out look. A door window gave access to n Ftono balcony, which hunt; against tho castle wall liko u swallow's nest at tho raves of a house. TIiIb balcony was just wide enough to give nuipls space for nno of thn easy rocking chairs wliich the princess had iiupmted from America nnd wlmh J.nnin thought were the onP really roinfortahle pieces of furni ture tho old stronghold possessed, much as she adtnired the artistic excellence of tho iiiciUit'VuI chairs, tables and cab- Jncts which for centuries had served the needs of thn ancient line that had lived in the sehloss. The chair was as modem as this morning's daily paper, its woodwork painted a bright, scarlet. Its arms like broad shelves, its lockers ns (sensitively balanced as a mariuo comviss in fact, just such n chair as one would llnd dotted lound tho vast vetanda of an American summer hotel. In this chair wit Miss Jennie, two open letters on hur lap ami perplexity in thn dainty littlo frewn that faintly ruffled the smoothness of her fair brow. Tho Fcenc from tho high balcony was ono to bo remembered; but, although this was her hc-t day at tho catlo, tho girl jnw nothing of tho pietty town of Jdoran mi far below, the distant chalk lino down the slope' beyond which marked the turbulent course of tho foaming Adige, thn lofty mountains sll around or tho farther snow peaks, dazzlingly white against tho deep blu af tho sky. Ono of tho epistles which lay on her Ian was tho letter she had received froi the editor recounting tho difficulties ho had met with while endeavoring to make airangoments for reporting ado iiuatt.lv the Ducbe's of Chiselhurst's ball ; tho other was tho still unanswered invitation from tho duchess to tho princess. Jennie was Mattered to know that aheady tlio editor, who had en gaged her with unconcealed reluctance, now expected her to accomplish what the entire staff was powerless to effect, -he knew that, had she but tho eour lge, it was only necessary to accept tho tivitation iu tho name of her present iostes and attend tho great society unction as Princess von Steinheimer. Vet eho hesitated, not so much on no "mm of t'.io manifest danger of discov ?rv, but because sho had grown to liko Die princess, and this impersonation, f it came to tho knowledgo of tho ono most intimately concerned, as it was almost suro to do, would doubtless bo regarded as an unpardonable liberty. As "die swayed gently back and forth in tho gaudy rocking chair sho thought of confessing eveiytliing to the princes.-) and asking her assistance; but, ponder ing on this, sho awthat it was staking everything on one throw of the dice. If the princess refused, then tho scheme became impossible, as that lady herself would answer r.ie letter and declino the invitation. Jennie soothed her accus ing conscience by tolling heiself that this inipers. nation would do no harm to Princess von Steinheimer or to any rnn else, for that matter, while it would fjo of inestimable assistance to her own journalistic career. From that sho drift ed to meditation on tho inequalities of this life, tho superabundance which Mine possess, while others, no less de serving, have difficulty in obtaining tho scant necessities. And, this consoling train of thought having fixed her ro sclve to take tho goods tho gods scat tered at her feet, or rather throw into her lap, she drew a long sigh of deter ruination an there came a gentle tap at tho door of her room and tho voico of tho princess herself said, "May 1 conio in ' Jennie, a rapid blush flaming her rhrrk. sprang to her feet, Hung the let ters on a table and opened tho door. Tho visitor entered, looking charm ing enough to be a princess of fairyland nnd greet, d Miss Baxter most cordially "I am so sorry you nro leaving." sho said. "Cannot you bo persuaded to change vour mind and stay with me? Wle ro could vou find a more lovely view than that from your balcony here?" "Or a woro lovely hostess?" said the pirl, looking at her visitor with undis- iruised admnation and quito ignoring the view The princess laughed, and as thvy now stood together on the balcony she put out her hands, pushed Jennie gently into tho rocking chair again, seating I Serself jauntily on its broad arm, and I 1 uh the. two looked liko a pair or mis chievous schoolgirls, home at vacation, thoroughly enjoying their liberty "Therol Now your aro my prisoner, ibout to bo punished for Mattery, " ciiecl tin princess. "I saw by the motion of aro unbecoming 1 al look well in diamonds; at least so 1 ve be n told over and over again, and I ve come to bcliovo it at last. 1 suppose tho young men havo not concealed from you the fact that you aro a strikingly good looking girl, Jennie. Indeed, nnd this is a brag, if you like, wo two reseiublo one another enough to he sisters, nearly the same height, tho same color of eyes and hair. Come to the mirror, Miss Handsomeness, ami admire yourself." She dragged Jennie to her feet and drew her into the room, placing her triumphantly before the great looking glass that rollected back a full length portrait. "Now confess Hint yon never saw a prettier gill, " cried tho princess glee fully. "I don't think I ever did," admitted Jennie, but she was looking at thn imago of thn princess and not at her own. The princes laughed, but Miss Paster seemed too much affected hy the unexpected present lo join in the merri ment. She regarded herself solemnly in tho glass for a tew moments, then slowly undid the clasp, and, slipping the string of brilliants from her neck, handed them hack to the princess. "Vou are very, very kind, but I can not accept so costly a present. " "Cannot'.' Why? Unvo I offended you by anything I havo said since you came?" "Oh, no, nol It isn't that." "What, then? Don't you liko mo, after all?" "Liko yon? I lovo you, princess!" cried tlm girl impulsively, throwing her arms round tho other's neck. The princess tried to laugh as she picssod Jennie closely to her, hut there was a tremor of tears in tho laughter. "Vou must take this littlo gift as a souvenir of your visit with me. 1 was really very unhappy when you came, and now well, you smoothed away tome misunderstandings. I'm very grateful. And it isn't natural for a wo man to retuse diamonds, Jennie." "I know it isn't, and 1 won't quito refu.-o them. I'll postpone. It la possi ble that something 1 shall do before long may seriously offend you If it does, then goodhy to tho necklace I If it doesn't, when 1 have told you all about my misdeed I shall confess cour ageously you will givo mo tho dia monds. " "Dear me, Jennie, what terriblu crime ni 2 you about ta commit? Why not tell me now? You have no idea how you havo aroused my curiosity." "1 dare not tell you, princess, not until my project proves a success or a failure-. We women - 'oine havo our way made tor us; otheis havo our own way to make. I am aincng the others, and 1 hope yon will remember that, if you are ever angry with me." "Is it a new kind of speculation, a fortune made in a day, gambling?" "Something of that sort. I am going to stake a good dial on the turn of a card; so please pray that luck will not bo against me "If pluck will mako you win, I am euro that you will carry it through, but if at first you don't succeed, try. V. again, and if you haven't the money I'll supply the capital. I know I should liko to gamble. Anyhow, you have my best wishes for your success.' "Thank you, princess. I can hardlj fail after that." Tho time had come when the two friends must part. Tho carriago was waiting to tako Miss Paster to the sta- $ I ' Jennie of a In other wi rds, you want neither inti lfcrrlicc nor advice. ' "Kxactly, Mr Hardwick. You know from experience that littlo good conies of talking too much of u secret project not yot completed." Tho editor drummed with Ida fingers on tho tablo for a few momenta thought fully "Very well, then; it shall bo as yon say. I should havn been very glad to share tho icsponsibility of failure with you, but if you prefer to take tho whole risk yourself there is nothing mote to ho said. Tho thousand pounds shall be placed to your credit at once. What next?" "On tho night of thn ball I should like yon to havo threo or four expert rhorthand writers here. I don't know how many will be necessary. You un derstand more about that than 1 do Put it is my intention to dictato tho report right along as fast as I can talk until it is finished, and I don't wished to be stopped or interrupted; so I want tho best stenographers you have. They nro to rolipvo one another jusi as u they wero taking down a parliamentary speech The men had better bo in readiness at midnight. I shall be hero as soon after that as possible If yon will kindly run over their typewritten manuscript before it goes to the com positors, I will glanco at tho proofs when 1 havo finished dictating." "Then yon hope to attend tho ball yourself?" "Perhaps." "You have just returned from tho Tyrol, and I fuir you don't quite ap preciate tho dilllcultics that aio in the way This is no ordinary society func tion, and if you think even .'J1.000 will gain admittance to an uninvited guest you will find yourself mistaken." "So I understood from your lotter. ' Again the editorial interjection did duty for a laugh "You are very sanguine, Miss Pas ter. 1 wish I felt as confident How ever, we will hope for the best and. if wo cannot command success we will at least endeavor to deservo it. " Jennie, with the 1,000 nt her dis posal, went to Paris, took rooms at the most aristocratic hotel, engaged a maid and set about the construction ol a ball diess that '"onld be a dream of beauty Luckily, she knew exactly th? gown making resources of Pari", and the craftsmen to whom she gave her orders wero not the less anxious to please her when they knew that tho question of cost was not to bo considered From Paris sho telegraphed in 1 ho name of tho Princess von Steinheimer to Chi ridgo's hotel for an apartment on tho night of the ball and asked that a suit able equipage be provided to convey her to and faun that festival Arriving at Claiidgo's, she was awaio that her first danger was that sonio one who knew the Princess von Steinheimer would call upon her, but on the valid plea of fatigue from her journey she proclaimed that under no circumstances could she see any visitor and thus shipwreiv was avoided at the outset It was unlikely that the Princess von Steinheimer was personally known to many who would attend the hall in fact, tho princess had given to Jennie us her main reason for lefnsing the in- n K(j(i" vitation the excuse- that she knew no one in London Sho had been invited merely because of the social position of tho prince in Vienna and was unknown by sight even to her hostess, tho Duchess of Chisclhtirst It is said that a woman, magnificent ly robed is superior to all earthly trib ulations Such was the case with Jen me as she lelt her cairiage, walked along the strip of caipet wliich lay across tho pavement under a canopy! anil entered the great hall of the Duke of Chiselhurst's town house, ono of the huge palaces of western London Xoth- j ing so resplendent had she over wit-1 nested or even imagined as the sceno , which mot her eye when she found her-1 self about to ascend tho broad stairway, ' at the top of which the hostess stood to, receive her distinguished guests. Uarly , as she was, the stairway and the rooms beyond seemed already thronged. Splen did menials in goigeous livery, crimson' the predominant color stood on each step at either side' of the stair. Uni-1 forms of every pattern from tho gor-, geous oriental raiment of Indian princes and eastern potentates to tho morn sober but scarcely less rich apparel of 1 the diplomatic corps, ministers of the , empiro and officers, naval and mili-1 tary, gavo the final note of magnificent J and picturesque decoration. Like trop-! ical flowers in this garden of color wero 1 tho ladies, who, with easy grace, moved to and fro, bestowing a smilo hero and a whisper theie, and yet, despite her agitation, a hurried, furtive; glance 1 around brought to Jennio thn convic tion that sho was perhaps the best i gowned woman among that assemblage ; of well dressed people, which recogni tion somewhat calmed her palpitating heart. The whole environment seemed assured her, and there speedily came om r her n soiiso of delight in all the kaleidoscopic dazzle of this great en tertainment. She saw that each one there had interest in some one else, and, to her great relief, found herself left en tirely alone, with reasonable assurance that this romotoness would continuo to befriend her until tho final gantlet of eavo taking had to bo run- a. trial 1 nQOo M L" , .. "-V ' M',y iP.T .' u ,1 ,.V- - is 1 fit the large tct about, the rnnstntction linll iIivh.. tion, and the girl bade goodhy to her hostess with a horrible feeling that she was acting disloyally hy one who had befriended her In her hand bag was the invitation to the ball, and also the letter she had wiitten in tho princess' name, accdiitiug it. which latter sho posted in M era n In due course shn ' unreal to her, anil sho walked forward reached London and mesented herself ns if in a dream. She heard some nno to the editor of Tho Daily Puule ' cry, "The "Well, Miss Paxter," he said, "you i mid at first had difficulty in realizing I ' I t i ....l! !i !.. Illlrt IV.1. II, t, mi, tin, if tint-. the chair that you had just jumped up; "h, eAuno.u oaii.y aucuessuu m , ..... .... ..... "',:",""'' soivn i ne omuiiiuu 111 siui v, .tun i cuii- ' '. ... ... . r., ,.. .... .......... gratulato you My letter i cached you, I ' hand was in that of the Duchess of suppose Have you given any thought I Chiselhuist, and Jennio heard tho lady to the nroblein that now confronts ns? . murmur that it was good of her to Can you get us a full leport of the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball, written so convincingly that all tho guests who i found herself unable afterward There um in rrrr.rmlitrin. JrUihlrueil rym. (till to tie encountered, the thought of which sho resolutely put away fiom her, trusting to tho luck that had hitherto not deserted her. I Jennie was in this complaisant frame j of mind when she was suddenly startled i by a voice at her side. I "Ah, piincess, I have been scanning everywhere for you, catching glimpses of you now and then, only to lose you, as, alas, has been my late on a more , serious occasion! May 1 flatter myself t with the belief that you al.-o remeiii- , her?" ' Thine was no lecognitioti in thn large frightened eyes that were turned upon him. They saw a young man bowing low over tho unresisting hand he had taken. His lncv was cl( ar cut and un mistakably Lnglisli. Jennie saw his closely ci opped auburn head, and, as it raised until it overtopped her own, the girl, terrified as she was. could not hut admire the sweeping blond mus tache that overshadowed a smile, half wistful, half humorous, that lighted up his handsome !w e. The ribbon of some order was worn atliwait his breast, otherwise lie wore court ill ess, which well became his stalwart frame. "I am disconsolate to sec that 1 am indeed forgotten, princess, and so an other cherished delusion fades away from me." j Her fan concealed the lower part of the girl's face, and she looked at him , over its fleecy semicircle. "Put not your trust in princesses." she murmured, a sparkle of latent mis , chief lighting up her eyes. The young man laughed. "Indeed. -.1 T . I ' I lie saw, nan i suim-u in. ttjutit.i ..s i faithfully as I have been true to my . remembrance of you, princess, 1 would have been an embassador long .'lo this, covered with decorations. Have you. . then, lost all recollection of that winter iu Washington five years ago, that I whiilwiud of gayety which ended by , wafting you away to a foteign country. 1 so that tlie eventful s(.iis,,n clings to my memory as if it were a disastrous wi st ern cyclone? Is it possible that 1 must reintroduce myself as Donal Stirling? i "Not Lord Donal Stirling'.'" asked Jennie, dimly remembering that she i had heard this name iu connection with i something diplomatic, and her guess ' that he was in that service was strength ened by his previous lemark about be- , iiiK an embassador. "Yes, Lord Donal, if yon will cruelly insist on calling me so, but this cannot take from me the consolation that once. in the conservatory of the White House, under the very shadow of the president, ' jou condescended to call me Don." , "You cannot expect one to remembpr . what happened in Washington five veins ago. You know the administra tion changes every four years, and 1 memories seldom carry back even so far i as that." j "1 had hoped that my most outspoken I adoration would have left reminiscence i , that might, outlast administration. I have not found forgetting so easy." 1 "Aro you quite sine of that. Lord I Donal?" asked the gill archly, closing : i her fan and giving linn for tho first time ii full view of her face. , The young man seemed for h moment , perplexed, but she went on, giving him . j littlo time for reflection, "Have your i j diplomatic duties taken you away from i WnshingMi?" I "Yes, to the other end of the enrth. j i I am now in St. Petersburg, with ulti- from it when I disturbed you. so tlicro p u are back in it again. What wen i you thinking about? A rocking chair lends itself deliciously to meditation, ind wo always think of some one very particular as wo rock. " "I am no exception to tho rule,' lighed Jennio. "I was thinking of you, princess." "How nice of you to say that, and, n me good turn deserves another, hero is prool that a certain young lady hub been ji my thoughts " As sho spoke the princess took from "ler pocket an embossed case of Kussia eat her, opened it and displayed a strin;; if diamonds lustrous us drops of liquid ight "I want you to wear theso stones in Teinembrauco of our diamond mystery; il.-io I confess that I want you to think f mo every time you put them on. Srn low conceited 1 ami One does not like io lie forgotten; that is why I clioso dia monds. " Jennio took the string, her own eyes Tor n moment rivaling in brilliancy tho iparklo of the gems; then tho moisture tibscured her vision, and sho automatic nlly poured tho stones from one hand to tho other, as if their scintillating glitter hypnotized her. Sho tried once or twice to speak, but could not bo suro nf her vjice, so remr.-ned silent. Tho princess, noticing her agitation, gently lifted the necklace and claspe.' it round the girl's white throat, chattering all tho while with nervous haste. "There 1 You can wear diamonds, read it will know that tho writer was present?" "His all a question of money, Mr. Hardwick. " "Most things are. Well, we aro pre pared to spend inonoy to get just what we want. " "How much?" "Whatever is necessary." "That's vague. Put it into figures." "Five hundred pounds, 700, 1,000 if need be. " "It will not cost you JL'1.000, and it may como to more than WOO. Place ft. 000 to my ciedit, and I shall return what is left. I must go at once to Paris and carry out my plans from that city " "Then you have thought out a scheme? What is it?" "I have not only thought it out, but most of tho arrangements aro already made. I cannot say more about it. You will havo to trust entirely to me." "There is a good deal of money at stake. Miss Baxter, and our reputation nsanowspaperaswell. I think 1 should know what you propose to do." "Certainly. I proposo to obtain for you an accurato description of the ball written by one who was present." The editor gavo utterance tnasort ol Interjection that always served litui ir ' iiic.to lwitmu i( inlitii lift llr-ttfiU I llilll- Princess von Steinheimer!" i .,', . . , .,,' .'.. ,, j J"l lit .1 I'J I'.J ... JJ.llllll.li III,- ,, i , (1, ,...., I hearing you were to lie here, 1 moved i heaven and earth for an invitation." "Which you obtained only to find yourself forgotten. How hollow this world is, isn't it?" "Alas, yes! A man in my profession pees a good deal of the seamy side of life, and I fully believe that my rapidly lessening dinendence on human veracity i g:i I conm so far to grace tho occasion, Thn j girl made some sort of reply which sho to ro j call, but the rapid incoming of other i guests led her to hope that if shn had used any uusiiital lo phrase it was ei ther unheard or forgotten in tho tension nf the time. She stood a-ide and formed niie of thn brilliant group at the head of the stairs, thankful that this first ordeal was well done with. Her rapidly beating heart had now opportunity to lessen its pulsations, and as she soon found that she was practi cally unnoticid her natural calmness began to return to her. She remember ed whv she was there, and her discern ing eye enabled her to stampouarutuii- tivo memory the various particulars of so unaccustomed a spectacle, whoso very unfamiliarity made the greater impres sion on the girl's mind. She moved nwav from thn irioun. determined to saunter through tho numerous rooms thrown open for tho occasion, and thus, as it were, get her bearings. In a short time all fear of discovery left her, and she began to feel very much at home in tho lofty, crowded salons, pausing even to enjoy a selection which a military hand, partly concealed in tho foliage, was rendi ring in a masterly niaiini r, Its', by the most famous impresario of tho day. The remote probability of meeting any one hero who know the princess vu- oiisK said to dress for each other Away l'oni tho world, in tho Tyrol, I h.ivi little opportunity of seeing any thing fine iu tho way of dress, and so I uccepfed thn invitation of the duchess." "Have you tho invitation of tho duchess with you?" "Yes; I am going to tako ("5ino notes on thn back of it. Would you liko to see it?" She handed liini thn letter and then leaned back in her chair, regarding him closely. Thn puzzled expression on his fare deepened as hn glanced over the invitation and saw that it was ex actly what it purported to bo. Ho gavo thn letter hack to her, saying: "So you are here to sen the fashions. It is a subject I know littlo about; but, judging hy effect, 1 should say that the Piincess von Steinheimer has nothing i to learn from any one present. If I may touch on a topic so personal, your cos tume is what they call a creation, is it not, princess?" "It isn't bad," said tho girl, looking down al her gown and then glancing up at hiin with merriment dancing in her eyes. The diplomat had his elbow listing on tho balustrade, his head leaning on his hand, and, quito obliv ious tn everything else, was gazing at her Willi such absorbed intentness that the girl blushed and cast down her eves. Tho intense) admiration in his ook was undisguised. "Still," sho rat tled on sotnnwhat breathlely, "ono gets many hints from otheis, and the creation of today is merely tho old clothes of tomorrow. Invention has no vacation, so far as ladies' apparel is concerned. 'Take no thought of tomor row, wherewithal ye shall be clothed.' may have been n good motto for tho court of Solomon, but it has littlo rela tion with that of Victoria." "Solomon, if the saying is his, was hedging. Ha had many wives, you know. " "Well, as I was about to say, yon must now turn your attention to the other guests anil tell me who's who. I have already confessed my ignorance, and you promised to enlighten me." Tho young man, with visible reluc tance, directed his thoughts from the one to the many and named this person and that, while Jennie, with thn pencil attached to her card, made cabalistic noles in shorthand, economizing thus both space and time. When at last she ! had all the intormation she lsired. sho leaned back in her chair with a little sigh of supreme content. Whatever might now betide, her mission was ful filled if she could once get quietly away. The complete details of the most important society event of the season weie at her lingers' ends. She closed her eyes lor a moment to enjoy the .sat isfaction which success leaves in its tiain and when she opened them again found Lord Donal in his old pasture, absorbed in the contemplation of her un deniable beauty. "I see jon aio determined I shall havo no dilliculty in remembering you . next time we meet," she said, with a smile, at the same time flushing slight ly under his ardent gaze, j "I was just thinking," he replied, j shifting his position a little, "that the live yeais, wliich have dealt so haidly , with mo have left you live yeais yonu I ger." "Age has many piivileges, Lord Donal," she continued, laughing on right, "but I don't think you can yet , lay claim to any of them. The poo of 1 the prematurely old is not in the lea: t borne out by your appearance, howevt r baldly the girl you met in Washingku dealt with you. " "Ah. princess, it is very easy for you to tieat these serious matters lightlj I Tie laughs at scars who never felt a. wound. Time, being, above all things, 1 treacherous, often leaves the face un touched the moie effectually to scar the heart. The hurt concealed is over the ill' i t dangerous. " 'I fancy it. has been concealed so effectually that it is not as deep as you imagined." "Piincess, J will confess to you that the wound at Washington was as noth ing to tho one received in London." "Yes; yon told me you had been heio for a week. " "The week has nothing to do with it. 1 have been hero for a night - for two hours or three. 1 have lost count of time since 1 met you. " What reply the girl might have made to this speech, delivered with all tho fervency of a man in thorough earnest, will never bo known, for at that mo ment their tete-a-tete was interrupted by a messenger, who said: "His excellency thn Austrian em bassador begs to be permitted to pay his icgards to the Princess von Stein heinier. " Lord Donal Stirling never took his eyes from the face of his companion, and ho saw a quick pallor overspread it .lie leaned forward and whispiied: "I know the embassador. If you do rot wish to meet him, I will intercept him. " Jennie roo slowly to her feet, and, looking with a calmness sho was far from feeling at the young man, said coldly; "Why should I not wish to meet the embassador of my adopted country?" "I know of noren'on; quite tho con trary, for he must bo an old friend of yours, having been your guest at the Schlo.-s Steinheimer a year ago." He stepped back as lie said this, and Jennie had dilliculty in suppressing tho isp of dis.mav with which eho received London without a nnuinur had his wife, j been selfish enough to tear htm u.vay ltom his beloved M ran " "A model husband ! " said tho ancient count, with an unctuous chuckle. "Ho few of ua excel in that respect, but there is this to bo said in our exculpa tionso few have been matrimonially so fortunate as Prince von StLinhcimer. I havo never ceased to long for a repe tition of tho charming visit I paid to your delightful home. " "If your excellency but knew how welcome you aro, your visits would not have such long intervals between." "It is most kind of you, princess, to chr.or an old man's heart by such gra cious words. It is our misfortune that affairs of stato chain us to our pillar, and indeed diplomacy seems to become morn diflicnlt ns tho years go en, be cause wo have to contend with tho gen ins of rising young men liko Lord Donal Stirling hern, who aro moro than n match for old dogs that find it impos sible to learn new tricks." "Indeed, your excellency," paid his lordship, speaking for tho first timn since tho embassador begun, "tho very Vr.r Initmil the nrjnl ytittevmnn ii'cu licnOiinj orcr her dutxtictrlirit hnnil. reverse of that is the case. We sit hum bly at your feet, ambitious to emulate, but without hope of excelling. " The old man chuckled again, and, turning to the girl, began to make his adienx "Then my former rooms aro waiting for mo at tlio castle?" hp concluded. "Yes, your excellency, with thn ad dition of two red rocking chairs import ed from America, which you will find most comfortable re-ting places when you are tiee from the cares of .state." "Ah I The rocking chairs I' I reniem- eion that he liail met any one nut mo xr?i- S i::rr V ''V'-'i' rson he supposed himself addressing. Viji 'i ih aA ffSl V", v his eyesight was not of the hi -l. and ' J&V Tf k A iUiJ tP i embassador meets many fair and dis- y 'U&tSj "VU fej f tif I iiguished women. S 'wM)?i$" f . ' Will bo shattered bv my superiors send ing me to Constantinople. Put let inn find vou a sent out of this crowd where we may talk of old times." "I don't care so much about tho past as 1 do about the present. Let us go up into that gallery, where you will point nut to mo the celebrities. I suppose you know them all. while 1 am an entire stranger to London society." "That is u capital idea!" cried the young man enthusiastically. "Yes, I think I know most of tlio people here, at least by name. Ah, hero conies the royal party ! We shall just be in time to havo a good look at them." The band played the national anthem, and Lord Donal got two chairs, wliich ho placed at the edge of tho gallery, well hidden from the proniennders by spreading tropical plants. "Oh, this is jolly!" cried Jennie, quito forgetting tho dignity of u prin cess. "You told mo why you came to the ball. Do you know why I am here?" "On tho remote chunco of meeting me, whom you pretended to have for gotten," replied tho young man auda ciously "Of course," laughed J.umio. "Put. nside from that, I came to see the cos tumes. You know wo women nro libel- bis dihiiuieting information; but shn stood her ground without wincing. She was face to laco with thn crisis she had i foreseen tho coming of ono who knew j tho piincess. Next instant tlio aged J statesman was bending over her out stretched hand, which in courtly fash ion tho old man .aised to his lips. "I am delighted to havo tho privilogo of welcoming you to this gloomy old c ity, Princess von Steinheinier, wliich you illumine witli your presence. Do yon stay long in London?" "Tho peiiod of illumination is short, your excellency. 1 leave for Paris to morrow. " "So soon, without even visiting tlio embassy? 1 am distressed to hear of so fpeedy a desertion, and yet. knowing the charms of tho Sohloss Steinheimer, I can hardly wonder at your wish to return there. Tho prince, 1 suppose, is ns devoted as ever to thn chafe. I must censnio his highness next time we meet lor not coining with you to LoiAlon. Then I am sure you would havo staid longer witli us.," "Tho prince is a model husband, your excellency," said Jennie, with a sly glance at" Lord Donal, whoso expression of uncertainty increased as this colloquy went on, "and he would havo come to her now that you were expecting thorn when 1 was there. So they have ar rived safely, I hop", but 1 think you had ordered an incredible number to be cc'taiu of having at least one or two serviceable." "No. only a dozen, and they all came through without damage." "You young people, you young peo ple!" murmured the embassador, bend ing again over the hand presented him. "What unheard of things you do!" And so tlie old man shullled away, leaving many compliments behind him, evidently not having the slightest su- picion that he had met any one but the pe for an tingui The girl sat down witli calm dignity while Lord Donal dropp'd int.. bis chair, an expression of complete mysti fication on bis clear cut, hunt st face. Jennie slowly fanned her.-ilf. for the heat made itself felt at that eh vated situation, and for a few moments noth ing was said by either. The young man was the tilst to break silence. "Should I be so fortunate a to get an invitation to tho Schloss Steinheimer, ' may I hop" that a red rocking chair will be allotted to me? 1 have not sat in one since I was iu tlie Slates." "Yes, one for yen, two for the em bassador, " said Jennie, with a laugh. "I should like further to flatter my- , pelf that jour double generosity to the i embas-ador arises solely from the dig nity of his oflice and is not in any , way personal. " "I am very fond of embassadors. They nro courteous gentlemen, who seem to have less distrust than is exhibited by I some not so exalted. " "Distrust! You surely cannot mean ' that I havo distrusted you, princess?" "Oli, I was speaking generally. " re ' plied Jennie airily "You seem to seek a personal application. " "I admit, piincess. that several times i this evening 1 have been completely at tea. " "And, what is worse, Lord Donal, 1 you have shown it, wliich is the ono I unforgivable fault in diplomacy." ! "You am quite right. If I had you ' to teach me, 1 would bo an embassador within tho next five years, or at least a ' minister. " Tho girl looked at him over tho top of her fan. covert merriment lurking in her eyes. "When you visit Schloss Steinheimer, you might ask tlm prince if. iu objects to my giving you lessons." Hero thero was another interruption, and tlie announcement was mailt) that tho United States embassador desired to renow his acquaintance with tho Princess von Steinheimer. Lord Donal made use of an impatient exclamation more emphatic than he intended to give utterance to. but on looking at his com panion in alarm ho saw in her glanco a (illicit Mash of gratitude as unmistak able as if sho had spoken her thanks. It u io him If you don't wish to t 1 1 him." 'Thank yon so much. You havo now an opportunity of retrieving your dip Immttie reputation if ym tan postpono the Interview without offending him." Lord Donal departed with alacrity, and tho moment he was gone all ap pearance of languor vanished from Miss Jennie Paxter. "Xow is my chance," she whispered to herself. "I must bo in my carritigo j beforo he return". " i Huger us she was to be gone, sha ' knew that she should display no hato. Kxpecting to find a etair at tho other end of tho gallery, she sought for it, hut found none. Killed with apprelien- ' sion that she would meet Lord Donal coming up, she had difflculty in timing her footsteps to tlie slow measure that was necessary. She reached tho bottom of tho stair in safety and unimpeded, but once on the main floor a now prob lem presented itself. Nothing would at tract more attention than a young and beautiful lady walking tlie long dis tance between tlm gallery end of the room and tho cntinnce stairway entire ly alone and unattended. She stood there hesitating, wondering whether she could venture on finding a quiet side exit, which she was sure must ex ist in this large house, when, to her dismay, she found Lord Donal again at her side rather 1,1 pathless, ns if ho had been hurrying in search of her. His brows were knit, and thero was an anx ious expression on his face. "I must havo a word with yon nlone, " he whispered. "Let me conduct you to this alcove under the gallery." "No; I am tired. I am going home. ' "I quite understand that, but you must come with mo for a moment." 'Must!'' she said, with a suggestion of defiance in her tone. "Yes, " ho answered gravely. "I wish to be of assistance to you. 1 think you will need it. " For a moment shn met his unflinch ing gaze steadily; then her glance fell, and she said in a low voice, "Very well." When they reached the alcove, sho inquired lather qunveringly for she saw something had happened which had finally settled all the young man's doubts "Is it tho American embus I sudor?" "No; thero was little trouble there. ' He expects to meet you later in tho evening. Put a telegraphic mes-ago 1ms come from Meran. signed by the Prin cess von Steinheimer. which expresses a hope that tho ball will be a succe. and reiterates the regret of her highness that she could not be present. Luckily, this communication has not been shown to the dllchess. 1 told the duke, who lead it to me, knowing I bud been with jou all the evening, that it. was likely a practical joke on the part of the prince, lint the duke, who is rather a serious person, does not taice Kinuiy io mac theorl, and if he knew the prince lie would dismiss it as absurd, which it is. I have asked him not to show the tele gram to anyone; so theie is a littlo time for considering what bad best lie done." "There is nothing for ine to do but to tako my leave as quickly and as quietly as possible," said the girl, with TJien, ns tho lady descended tho stairv Lord Donal turned, with no very thank fill feeling in hi heart, to hear what? his host had to say. "Lord Donal, tho American emhassa dor pays that woman is not tho Princess!1 von Steinheimer, whom he hns met several times in London He cannot ro member her name Now 1 b. she, and how did you come to meet her?" "My lord duke, it never occurred to mo to quostion tho identity of guests met under your hospitable roof. I kur-w tlm princess five years ago in Washing ton, beforo she was married. I havo not seen tier in the interval, hut lint i you showed me the tclrgraphio mossago there was no question in my mind ro garding her. " "Cut the American embassador i positive. " "Then he has moro confidence in his) eyesight than 1 have. If such a ques tion, liko international (intimities, is) to bo settled by tho embassies, let ns refor it to Austria, who held a long: conversation with tho lady in my pres ence. Your excellency, " ho continued to thn Austrian embassador, whn w e hoveling near, waiting to speak .,i3 host, "my lord duke has some riin t that the lady who has just departed is the Princess von Steinheimer. Vu spoke with her and can therefore dei ido with authority, for his lordship s-i ms disinclined to accept my testimony ' "Not the princess? Nonsense! I kn. w hpt very well indeed, and u most '-harm-ingMudy she is. I hope to be her g iet again beforo many months are past. " "There, my lord duke, you see every thing is us it should be. If you wiH give mo that stupid telegram, I wi 1 mako some quiet inquiries about it Meanwhile the les said the better I will see the American cmbassad' i and convince hi:i ot his error. And nw I must make what excuses I can t ; tho lady for my desertion of her." Placing the paper in his pocket hn hurried down the stair and out tn t'm street. Thero had been some dc'iv nbout the coming of the carriage, and lie saw the lady ho sought at that mo ment entering it. "Home at once n fast a; yon can ' he heard her say to the coachman Shfl had evidently no intention of walt.itg for him. He sprang forward, thrnt his arm through tho carriage window and grasped her hand. "Princess, " lip cried, "you will r, it leave me liko this! I must see you to morrow!'" "No, no!" shn gasped, shrinking into the corner of the carriage. "You cannot be sn cruel. Tell m at least whero a letter w:M reach you I shall not release y ur liar,. I until y. u promise. " With a quick in. .v. mr-nf th g rl turned back the giun'M f her i tig glove. The next m-'.uit 1 n e.irr.aLe was rattling down tin- s'ret, wine a chagrined young man st. . d aim..- n tho curb with a long si i. ler wn.'a glovo in his hand. "By Jove'" ha said at last as lie f M ed it carefully and placed it :ti tos pocket of bis coat. "It is the yl. vt this time, instead of the mitten"' TO HE CONTINUED. ,1' ' I U 1 ' v ... ' Sli A DUTIFUL DAUGHTER. r 1'nltoneil Instrnclion. 'With Yr- MirprisliiK Hehiilt. "That .laughter "t' iniue '11 lv t' e il .i ii ) are.. I hel-P 1 1 11 J 'I I filter .i lh.it ileal h of me s.nn portly party itli a been a young nun li.eisp tor tlie pii-' crnwiug tired ol it. that he w lis ;;oorl , i yi'sienlny I s'linm. said: ' 'Daughter, w'! hole MLUili tullicllt " 'I suppose so,' at me out of tlie corners ot her e ' "Well, when he comes 1 wui.t sit do" a "ii liini.' "'Very well, papa,' she answered nuin ly. "I went don n town concratul tins self, for 1 leiill.v r.... '. .1 a see' e, :e cirl hns a will of h. r "m 1 w n. .ill l.a.-kwnnl nliout c ;ies. it in m be she answered I . U s .j tn n r ti y t -f P was quito evident that tho "drl bad no desiro to meet his excellency, which is not to bo wondered at, as she had al ready encountered him threo times in lier capacity of journalist. Ho not only knew the Princess von Steinheimer, but ho kuew Jennie Paxter as well. Slio leaned back in her chair and said wearily "I seem to be having somewhat over much of diplomatic society this even ing. Aro you acquainted with tho American embassador also, Lord Do nal i" "Yes." cried tlio young man, spring ing to his feet, "Ho was u prominent politician at Washington while 1 was there- Ho is an excellent mail, and, I shall havo uo dilliculty iu making your "Ml lord, excuse me." n nrrvons little laugh bordering closely on tho hyrterical. "I was about to make my way out by some private exit if 1 could find one. " "That would be impossible, and the attempt might lead to unexpected com plications. 1 suggest that you tako my arm and that you bid farewell to her grace, pleading fatiguo as the reason for your early departure. Then 1 will see you to your carriage, and when I return I shall endeavor to get that un lucky telegram from the duke by telling liim I should like to find out whether it is a hoax or not. He will havo forgotten nbout it most likely in tlio morning. Thereforo all you havo to do is to keep up your courage for n few moments longer until you aro safo in your car riage. " 1 "Yon aro very kind," she murmured, 1 with downcast eyes. 1 "You are very clever, my princess, 1 but tlie odds against you were tremen dous. Somn time yon must tell mo why , you risked it. " j Slin mailt) no replj-, but took his arm. and together they sauntered through tho rooms until they found the duchess, when Jennie took her leave of the host ess with a deiiiuie dignity that left nothing to be desired. All went well until they reached the head of tho stair, when the duke, an ominous frown on his brow, hurried after tlieui and said "My hud. excuse me." Lord Donal turned witli an ill con cealed expression of impatience, but ho was helpless, for he feared his host might not have the good sense to avoid a sceno even in his own hall. Had ii been the duchess all would have bten well, for she was a lady of infinite tact, but the duke, as he had said, was a stupid mail, who needed the constant eye of his wifo upon liini to keep him from blundering. The young man whis pered "Keep light ou until yon aro in your carriage. I shall ask my man hero to call it for you ; but please don't drive away until 1 come. " A sign brought u serving man up the stair "Call the carriago of the Princess yon Steinheimer, " eaid Ida master. when she pnnnisos t . .1 . ,c in ; it is p.n.l us settled, and I . Ii .. !, l o in , - f when 1 thoilRht of the ! ', .nth.i'-.it yniinj man would meet wilt wlnn 1" called in the eM-ninc. "Well, that jisht t1 e .v "i: a nun tnn-te his lisnill evi-.(lS eii.l, a i I e.n . i it to jjive my ihiushtcr n ill n e to oitj out her promise. I waited an hour, and then as the ynunt man showed no sc-s of leaviug I entered the diawisc r.. i' where they were. The pas was turned down, but it was lijht cnoush for ir' d ciscorrr that the young man was huldir. my datiuhter on his lap. "'What is the me.n. irz ' this?' I dp ni.mdcd with the little tv. .rh I had 1. "'I am only followinu- j '.r rist- . tinns, papa,' she an-wercl w.'hout cn looking up. "'You're what?' I cnspr.l. " Toliowinc your insti u.-t'. ns. Pm't bo silly! Didn't you tell me tn sif .i wn on Mr. Plank when he called? Dm. t I hear mamma ciillinz you?' "I took tlie hint and fled. Curds wi!l he out in a few days." Detroit l'ret- Pre-- Minlnc Hl (rii(l(uilc. After the editor of the Hnwvillr Cir ion had been banned up acninst the wn ' n few times nnd d caused nromni m tl-e dust he succeeded in breaking nwny fi m his assailant long enough to say, "Sir, I thank you." "Vou thank me!" exclaimed the irat vi'itiu' in astonishment. "Certainly." replied the editor. "Vou have done me an inestimable favor." "In what way?" demanded the visitor. "1 said in m paper that you w.re a lawless brute, didn't 1?" inquired the cl Itor. "That's what you said." "Well." returned the editor, "it ne. ur- red to me afterward that possibly I niic-ht lime been mistaken, but you have now proved tlie ense for mo, nnd 1 u'U liiiiurall.v grateful. Vou lane relieved my conscience of a great load. I f a red I li.nl done you an injustice." Chicijro Post. Clinrnrter In IInniMTrlllne. "Do ou beliee there is anything in the claim that men's characters are shown in their handwriting?" "Yes. A man who always writes Ins inline sn that it can he read nt a ghin e lias not jet nrrhod at the point whine he thinks the world can better afford t) waste time working out pnzdes thm that he should put forth nu extra elToit, no matter how small." ChU-acn Times Herald. 1IU Deficient V.nr, "I cive it up. snid Mr. Cunirox n ho put on his h it, "I'm not going to s' y here to he harrowed hy false alarms any Ioiikci'." "What's the matter?" "1 can't tell whether Dolly is practic ing nu una from a grand opera or wheth er she has sc. n a iiioum1 and is stcmcd." Washington Star