Evening Star Newspaper, August 29, 1896, Page 15

) Author of “Secrets of (Copyright. 1890 PART I. M. Ambassadeur, bui there is piece of thread on the back of your “Pardon, It to go forth for a stroll boulevards, and I had just helpe< i d on his Excellency on with his overcoat. As I bent forward to remove the strand of white cotton which had attracted my at- tention, mbassador turned his head with as i movement. I even fancied that he gave a slight shiver as I pick: the ihread and cast it a “A thousand thanks," he murm chanically, glancing after the thi ized Uh tor a strange expression, But he re: I had observed hi gular axitation, - immediately went on to say: my THE WHITE THREAD. BY ALLEN UPWARD. THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1896-TWENTY PAGES. Oni Aseksed, the Courts of Europe.” by Allen Upward.) hetween me and the prince, while the prime minister was on my other side. The Aus- trian miaister occupied the post of honor on Prince George's right. I mention these } details for a reascn which you will pres- | ertly perceive. | “T have said that the banquet was not a | state one. Nevertheless the presence of so j many high functionaries imparted to it a more or less polit lair. As the evening advanced I even began to perceive some- | thing in the atmosphere which warned me | that this gathering had some hidden siz- | nificance. The prince, who wes drinking H freely, had dly exchanged a word with | bis wife since we sat down, while he kept + indulging in long, confidential whispers ‘with the Austrian minister. “The princess, on her part, was evidently uot at her ease. Whether cr not she sus- pected that something contrary to her wishes was on foot, [ am unable to say. But “You k yourself, perhaps, what | she continually glanced at the prince with - ra turbed me so much in this} @M anxious air, and then turned and con- aes ee Ee re SO edn cis | versed with me in a light tohe, which was trivial circumstance? Do me the § ice | evidently artificial. notwithstanding, that 1 have not! “Wl fad nat long to wait for the key to all vgitated without a real cau: this, As soon as the dessert was placed be- “LT shall he desolated if I have pe le display any curiosity, me sh it you to make exeuses. 1 not | wx that I have consented to feel & the service which i dered me has caused w to recall a le experience thro whieh T ence . and the memory of which 1 to eiface it two will comp: There you Tam compelted 7 It is on account te character events whieh Ts lo yeu, some of the acters In w ¥ ne me Without influence at ne. ou consent to m conse ador and barbarous > the vets of f tries Wei Ati w i had t ery re counter sympathies of Ry Dourenskh come,” he sald, ad taken a seat and exchan y mpliments. ‘to inform you that I am ised te leave for Russia in two days time. The business which requires my * is important, and will y me four or five weeks.’ Wee. and murmured a polite expres. seel at the idea of losing the s ¥ Of the minister for so long a period. Vhat is not all, however,’ he pr suy at the legation whom I can trust to take my place while fam away. 69 much on your prop Sood nature if I ask you » tak xe of the interests of Russia these few weeks? 1 was not altogether surprised by request. At these petty courts wher * experienced 36 <I dur their this cretari net is not ur Jomats to under- take these services for each other. Tt was moreover a compliment to me to ask ta (on behalf of a minister, whose 1 i te diplomatic body is above that of a ze daffaires, aS you perhaps krow.” “Yes. @ minister ranks next 1 am- bassadoc, does he not?” 1 said, ; ex- peared te pat a Hy. It ts only the Lier powers re represented at each other's by ambassadors. As I have s ‘ron Dourenski's proposal was na! ad even gratifying. Neverthele not at once give my consent ““f am (oo much honored by dence vou 4 in me,” £ said: ‘by leet, if yo my dear Doure ski, that ntly arrived in th thing of the y I you net oun- titical sit- ry, and know 1 uation. 1H. we I pron Not for wor fellow! Tha & mere » Austrian minis No, | must have some one whom an trust. some one of real independer ad judgment. ssed T could find no exe honor which Dourenski pro- nfer on me. He went on to add is one thing about which J musi he strictest secrecy. | ars the legation you will to time find letters addressed to h, which will cubt fil means to transmit to hi private taanner. If the packeges are some- (imes heavy, that is merely because they fain « tittle gold which it is necessary distribute among our friend “Used as twas to the tang] aths of political tnir ie. I could not togeiher conceal my astonishment at hearing him pronounce the name of M. Staroviteh. This was the prime minister, the head of the Bei ce” ernment, and although } had te drink peror Fran nna than his master, twas prepared to find gold. ski smiled at my look of surprise. peemaier is a discreet man,” he ob. ynically. ‘Should any unexpected lly arise while [ am away, involving nterests of Russia, you will not do iadly to consult him. 2 “The matter was thus arranged. surse the Russian handed over the care of tion te mo, and took his departure. jortly after he kad left the capital « duet was xiven at the palace, to which 1 received an invitation. The affair was not ene of state, but a good many distinguished functionayes were present, including the stvian minister and M. Starovitch. graciously received by Prince George, ané with still more cordtality by his beautiful and distinguished consort. When we sat down to dinner I found my- ecif on the left of the princess, who sat “Doure served, coffe rhe Shall I be trespassing | for | In due} fore us Prince George rose to his feet with an abrupt air, and, filling his glass to the brim, calied out, with marked intonation: ““Ladies and gentiomen, 1 ask you to drink the health of my very good friend and cousin, the Emp: cis Joseph! | “It was a demonst t was impos- } sible to m cance of the: yr ‘They meant that Prince George hi arrived at an understanding with the cou lof Vienna, and that the friends of Russia { in the princ i face of the | Aust triumph_of } his dipioma r Catherine | had turned deadly pale a: ros wer seat in compliance with the prince's ex- and to ained were ly lifted ner gl her rep that it cont on. ro managed to conceal 2 with more i le the as though i were a meonir 8 Cer> . and quietly resumed his by my But as soon as the atten! of those near US Was diverted for a moment he whispered sofuly in my ear: prudent man. med.” to me that underlay Dourenski's ightly uncom- siute Ru nnel of f * prime min- Spi iste less WAS net rem Xt words, utiered ed by Star- the same ovit in low tone “Phere are certain procautions which | the baron foresaw might become neces- [spo not in here another mo- | nent.’ in the event of anything of this | aking plac e necessity having | now arisen Lam c Ned to ask you, as | : his representative, tc arce. T have in’ mi Ket at this mo- ment an envolope cé ne certain papers | of the highest importance, which it is es- sential T should intrust to your care for {a time.’ i | “Leould not restrain a look of annoyance lat this suggestion. | ee fu may bring the packet to my residence tomorrow, * Danswered coldy. place of safety till my turns.” to my aasis ‘ou speak if you “E will put it in colleague re- of arovitch gave a slight frown. “"f dare not wait tiil tomorrow,’ he re- turned, quickly. ‘I must beg you to let me th’s envelope to you now, under the Iter of the table. We do not know who imay be observing us.’ | “Much annoyed at being asked to part in these paltry manctivers I was obliged to give mye roviteh preter on me his hand slowly creeping to t of his coat. “Follos his example T also turned and made a show of paying renewed at- tention to the princess. But the prin who had perhaps rem: do my whispered erence with his minister, now neglect- e Austrian envoy and conimenced to nge me in a discussion, in h the princ art. “While Twas ¢ to give my atten to their ni es I became us of a light touch on my kueo. ing to play with my serviette I grad- allowed tay Jeft hand to descend ght beneath the table, and once came in contact with ich Starovitch had s; : fully took hold of it, and, scizing first moment when the’ prince's eyes re turned away, | managed to get the ard the 9 cut of my at packet up under my coat and into my breast pocket. ‘Shortly afterward his highness gave | the signal to rise, and, giving his arm to his cons ing room. “As soon as she had got rid of the Aus- T saw t = fix her eyes upon with ‘ch plainly intimated , led the company into the draw- me that she had something of importance to me. tly she came and ad- ignificant words: rdon me, monsieur, but if you have % you wish to put away in iemain here another mo- ¥. do not ment. PART IL “I was overwhelmed, as you may imag- ine, at this proof of her acquaintance with the transaction at the dinner table, and it was with difficulty that I restrained my: ed to increas labored » the uneasiness which I had under for some time. I bowed avely to show that I understood what to and after allowing a short time to elapse, so as to prevent remark, I made 3 to where Prince George was stand- | ing and asked permission to retire. rhe prince was engaged at the moment in talking to Starovitch himself. It was, of course, a breach of etiquette for me to leave ‘before his highness himself with- | drew, but he graciously accepted the ex- cuse which I had prepared and made no effort to detain me. “T fancied that I cau prime minister's eyes liked to accompany | cours ght a look in the as if he would have me. but it was, of impossible for him to make’ the suggestion, and I went out of the room, es. corted hy an equerry. “In the vestibule of the palace I paused to put on an overcoat. It was a cold night— one of those nights in that part of the world which remind one of Ovid's descrip- tion of the frozen Danube—doubtless you are familiar with the lines” I have forgotten them, but it ts not of the least consequence. “You can repeat them to me when you have completed your story.” ‘The ambassador smiled at my impatience, with which it was easy to see that he was not displeased. “As I was drawing on my overcoat,” he from allowing r may to he t At the same lime the serious character of | the same time the serious character of continued, “‘the equerry who had followed me made the remark—almost in the same words which you have used this evening. “Pardon, baron, but there Is a white thread on the back of your coat.” I thanked him, and turned the coat over to look for it. On the back I found a long piece of cotton. It was ordinary creugn in appearance, but when I took hold of one end to remove it, I found to my surprise that it was firmly attached to the material of the coat. ““My tailor must be a very careless fellow,’ I muttered, as I broke it off short. ‘It must have come through from the lin- ings.” “L drew the coat on again, thinking no moro of this trivial incident, said good night to the equerry, and started to walk home by myself. There was a bright moon, but the streets were deserted, unusually | so, consider that the hour was by no reans a late one. “When I had proceeded some distance, Lowever, [ perceived in front of me a miscrable-looking creature on crutches, with a bandage over one eye, who boldly stopped me, and began to beg for alms. I gave him a stern refusal, for 1 never en- courage these pests, nevertheless he con-! tinued to plant himself in my path and re- new his demands, “While [ was trying to shake him off, another man came up from behind. He 1 2 moment, as if to ascertain what matier, Whereupon the beggar left ommenced to assall the new- seized the opportunity to make se, and reached my house without further incident. “But the event of this night were not over. As soon as I got in I went straight to my safe and locked away the mysterious packet which had been confided to me by M. Staroviteh. As I did so I obseryed that the aied with yellow wax, A Creature on the Russian imper wa to a quiet attache, tr © Eo; had bes I then with be- arms, game of ches: quilize my nerve to to bed. playing for some time, and just developing my final attack on iden, when we were disturbed by a ion in the street outside. 1 in why it was, but this nois me the most dreadful shock. to my feet, pushing awa: minanded the attache to go and a: he meaning of the disturbance. | 2 back in a minute or two, look- s the chessmen he had been pili it the board, hoarscly, ML. Starovitch I! They are car- rying Ag of horror escaped my. lips. Hardly conscious of what I was doing, I statched up my hat and coat and began’ to put them on. “Where are you going?’ demanded Mon- talembert, in surpri Montalembert was the young man’s “ol must round theve at once and find cut how this happen: I answered, di tr i ‘LE shall be obliged if you come with m ay not | “He pg “At all evel will do weil to re- a embers of the diplo- he protested, drawing himself e pride of an ambassador. no reply, and he quickly pre- If. We left the house arm in pared tn arm, and ten minutes’ walk brought us to the prime minister's official residence, “The street outside the building was blocked by an immense crowd, which brok: cut every moment into fierce groans. ceme nearer I could make out that one part of the crowd was groaning for Aus tria, while the other was groaning for Rus- sia. On one point they were evidently agreed, namely, the political significance to be attached to the crime which had just taken place. “This circumstance increased my deter- mination to force my way in, and to speak with the unfortunate victim if he had not yet expired. As I “Yhe police on guard at the entrance were at first reluctant to let me pass, without consulting thelr chicf, wao had not yet arrived. Int I knew the character of these men, and a handful of roubles soon gained me admittance. ious entrance hall I en- tful spectacle. On the In the conter of a crowd of atten- dants, lay the man who had sat at the dinner table with me an hour before, still extended on the shutter on which ne must have been brought there from the scene of the crime, and literally weltering in his blocd. Some of his clothes had been re- meved and flung into a corner when I ar- rived, and a doctor, who must have pre- ceded me by barely ‘a minate, was turning body of the unconscious man, {n *h for the fatal wound. I was just in time to sce It-a hideous pit in the back, Into which I could have thrust my fingers, and from which the thick, ‘k blood began to eoze afresh as the dv fted the position of the vic- um. “I turned my eyes away with a feeli . A child could have medies were destined to be I Bent Down Haxstily and Snatched at tbe Thread. of the slightest avail. As my gaze wan- dered around the hall it was arrested by the pile of clothing which I have already mentioned. “Something which I could not under- stand drew me toward these bloodsiained garments with a horrible fascination. The overceat, coat and waistcoat of the mur- dered man had apparently been stripped off tcgether and lay on the floor at the foot of the stairs in a confused heap. I stepped toward the spot slowiy and looked round. No one was observing my move- ments; every eye was turned on the dy- ing man. With my foot I softiy turned over the clothes, till I came to the over- coat. As I did so I suddenly caught sight of something which caused me to gasp and reel back gs if I had been struck a bh hera, on the back, within an inch of the blocdy rent made by the. assassin's knife, was a long, white thread, identical in every respect with the one which I had found on my coat within the very hour! “Urged by a terrible suspicion I bent dcewn hastily and snatched at the thread. It was firmly fastened to the cloth! - “My first Impulse was that which was natural to a man accustomed to live in a civilized society. I turned round to look for the chief of the police with a view to cemmunicating my discovery. But the cLief was still on his way, and the time for reflecticn thus afforded me convinced me that {t would be more prudent to say ncthing for the present. “In the meantime a commotion had arisen among those who were surrounding the body. I pressed through the ring, and saw ‘that poor Staroviich had at length un- closed his eyes. The next moment his glance fell on me, and he showed unmis- takably his anxiety to address me. “I stepped hastily to his side, and knelt down to catch the faintest whisper. ‘Can you speak? I asked. ‘If s0, tell ? ovement as though im with my ear close me how this happeney “He made a roolep to rise. I bent over} hii to his lips. “The cripple—the _papers,’ he gasped, and _ ceased. “That was all. I was destined to hear no more. Corpses make no confessions.” The ambassador allowed a decent interval to pass, as if to proclaim his respect for the memory of thé murdered statesman. Then he resumed: “Poor Starovitch had hardly drawn his last breath when the ehief of police rushed in at the head of ‘Staff of officers. He frowned when his glance encountered me there by the side of the dead man, but in- stanily softening his expression, he ad- respectfully awd said to me "I perecive that I’have arrived too late. Perhaps, M. le Baron, your friend was able to give you some Mint as to the author of tiis abominable crime?’ “I looked him steadily In the face, and replied with the most perfect coolness: “"No, unfortunately. M. Starovitch ex- pired, on the contrary, just as he was on the point of commencing a declaration.’ “The truth of this assertion was con- firmed by the doctor and the other persons who had been present during the scene. “In that case,” said the chief, preserving his composure, ‘I must procecd to. make my investigation from the clues which are already ia my possession,’ bowed in silence and took my depar- ture, returning home with Montalembert, to whom I said nothing about the anxieties which were torturing me. “The moment I had reached my own house, however, I sat down and w an order to a certain manufacturer in Vienna with whom I had formerly forward me without’ delay one of those shirts composed of steel links which are sometimes worn by officers engaged in war- fare among savage tribe: ““You have no doubt already perceived the conclusion at which I had been forced to arrive? His excellency turned an in- quiring look at me as he uttered these words, but continued without giving me time to reply. PART Il. “The two words uttered by Staroviten before he expir ”’ continued the am- bassador, “had been sufficient to reveal to me the frightful plot to which I had narrowly escaped falling a victim. There eculd no longer be a question that the white thread which I had twice come aeross on s night, first on my own non those of the unfor- y a signal of the most ple kind. It not for nothing that snd my path so obstinately Mock- ed by that cripple, till his confederate had time to catch me up trom be zat the fent of the equerry’s having drawn my attention to It, the assassin, I could not doubt, would have found on my back the token’ which he sought, and 1 wld have shared the fate of the man d just seen breathe his last. * motives of the assassins Staro- viich had also given me a clew. It was evident that he had connected his mur- der with th: mysterious packet which he bad contide was impos to me during the banquet. 1t ble to resist the idea that this cket containcd something which ren- red it fatal to its possessor, and in my citement 1 ¢ went so far as to ac- cuse pa Dourcrski in my own mind of having foreseen this danger and purposely i escaped it by a diplomatic retreat. “In the meantime I saw myself confront- ed by an unscen peril, at Whose nature I could only vaguely guess. You will have recognized, of course, ing nothing to the polic2 officials. Whe political cons’ ions are involved, the police are not lo be depended on. If the crim? which had just been committed were the work of private irdividuais, on the other had, 1 had no doubt that the police would vrove equal to the task of bringing m to ji stice.” my metives for say- “You did not find it necessary to open the prime minister's envelope?” I ventured lis Excellency allowed a to pass without speaki “Ry no means, iy friend. Recolleet, If you please, that this envelope was sealed, and that its safety had excited the interest herine. All this time I 1 viven me, and this ale would have me from placing any imprudent confidence in the officials “AUT did was to dispatch a telegram to Dour in the cipher which he had re- quested to employ, informing him of what nd urging him to re- turn immedia . “The news of the tragedy must in any case have reached him within a few hours. ‘The most profound impression was created all over Europe by this assassination of a m had occurred, My Mail Shirt Had Arrived That Very Day. statesman wrose name was as familiar to the public as that of Prince George him- self. The views taken of the event by the newspapers were conflicting, some hinting that the Austrian faction had had a hand in it, some attributing it to the secret in- fluence of . and others again affect- ing to consider it'a matter of some private revenge. For my own part, I remained in doubt, and anxiously waited for Douren- ski's return for an explanation. “It is needless for me to describe the sen- sation produced in the principality itself. So great was the agitation and alarm in the capital that the government gave orders that the funeral of the murdered premier should take place at night, and should be «ttended by no one except a few public functionaries and the immediate relatives and friends of the deceased. “The funeral was fixed for the second night after the murder, and it was, of course, necessary that I should be present. In accordance with the custom of the coun- try, there were to be no carriages, the coffin being carried by friends and_the other mourners following on foot. ‘This was the first time that I had ventured out- side my door since the events I have de- scribed, and beforg putting on my over- coat I could not forbear glancing fearfully at the place wherg J had discovered the white thread, & “Judge of my consternation when T tell you that I beheld. the fatal token there cnee more! The assassins had foreseen that I should be obliged to attend the funeral, and had conceived the atrocious idea of dispatching me on my return. “My first feeling was one of overpowering horror, my next, spf truly ungovernable rage. Leaving thetfread in its place, I swore that I woulg keep the assignation which these Page eae prepared for me, and teach them ug flanger of attacking a brave man. E “Luckily, my maj. ghirt had arrived from Vienna that very day, and I congratulated myself on having&it: sent to me from a quarter the least @ikely to provoke sus- pieion. I retired (o*mmy room instantly and put it on. While Ijqas adjusting it I gent for my atlache ag@ Aeld him everything, that is to say, evexgthing except what bore on my suspicions ag to the real motive of the conspiracy. “Montalembert was a young man who Possessed real courage and intelligence. As soon as I had explained my intentions Re eagerly consented to accompany me, and to assist me in the manner which I pointed out to him. We then left the house to- gether and arrived in time to join the funeral procession just as it was setting out for the cemetery. “It was a solemn and impressive spec- tacle. Under a cloudy sky, the procession slowly wound its way through the silent streets, Its course Mt up by a long line of torches, carried by servants, the flames of which fluttered wildly in the night wind, and cast a flickering glare on the black drapery of the coffin, on the solemn garb of the mourners, and on the barbaric uni- forms of the soldiers who formed an escort for the train. It was in this manner that there were carried io their last resting had dealings to | the remarkable warning | place the remains of that man who had boen struck down from the height of his power by the dagger of a secret traitor. ‘As soon as the service was over, and the coffin had been lowered into the earth. the torches were all extinguished, and the crowd prepared to disperse. At this mo- ment I gave the last whispered direction to my companion, and turned my steps slowly homeward, leaving him to drop gradually behind. “By degrees the various members of the crowd separated from each other, every one going in his own direction. On my part f was careful not to allow myself to be joined by any chance acquaintance, so The Procession Slowly Wound fis Way. that I soon found myself watking alone, though { fancied { could hear the cautious footsteps of Montalembert dogging me from behind. “Carefully refraining from any _back- ward glance, [ pursued my way, till I came to a long and rather narrow street which led directly into the one in which my house Was situated. As IL turned into it, I saw scmething which caused my heart to beat viclently. Advancing toward me in the obscurity, from the far end of the strect, was the figure of a man. The next mo- ment the moon penetrated the clouds which had muffled it, and I perceived that the approaching figure was my cripple of the night of the murder. PART Iv. “Striving to maintain the face,” the ambassador continued, “IL walk- ed slowly on down the street. ‘The cripple ccntinued to shamble along toward me, and we were within twenty paces of cach other when my senses, keenly on the alert, ng unusual in one of the was sing on the left. ot daring to turn so ne m much as an eyelash in that direction, for fear of betraying myself, 1 walk adity the and came up to where eri ring up Into my face with the one eye which was not hidden by the ban- dage, the fellow commenced to demand money in the usual whine of his cle I ffecied to hesitate, s {hand into my pocket. At the saine moment | my intent e ht a light, swift foot- all on the road behind me. “Tecan hardly deseribe how the rest hap- pened, J felt something strike ine violently jin the back, then came a crash of splinter- ed steel, an oath, and a loud ery in Monta- lembert’s voice as he running up from the rear. Leaving him to deal with the ruttian behind me, I sprang forward and clutched the one in front “As I had anticipated, his iameness was a feint. Instead, 1 found myself engaged with an active, powerful man, who let fall his crutches, and struggled so desperately in my grasp that it was all I could do to prevent his escape ull Montalembert came to my assistance. “The other man, it appears, had quick for him, He had taken to the moment he heard Montalembert preaching, and being a good runner, h j Seon made pursuit hopeless. Nor dik ever find out who he really was, though I gine him to have been a mere subor, © instrument, : With regard to his compa it was By our unifed effor We suc- ceeded in securing him, and dragging him into the house a prisoner. ‘There, his bun- dages torn off, and some talse hair remov ed, lus identity was quickly disclosed. It Was the chief of police himself! i need not repeat the expressions whi I addressed to him, and which he re opped, and put my too beet on bh od But it did not take long to realizé that it Was useless to of punishing him for his crimes. The only advantage I could gain from my vie- tery Was to extort a confession of the real authors and motives of this villainy. As soon as I had exhausted myself in reproaches, therefore, I said to him ‘But it is not you with whom I am corcerned, but th from whom you re- ceived your instructions, Your face is in your own hands. Tell me the whole of the circumstances frankly, and you shall go urharmed; refuse, and I will take you back to the spot where you attempted my life, and shoot you down as I might have done at the time.’ “He turned with obstinate silence. m pale at this threat, which he had evideatly not expected. These gen- try who undertake to play fast and loose with the lives of others always attach an extraordinary value to their Gwn miserabie existences. “M. le Baron, I swear to you that I am speaking the truth when I say that I know absolutely nothing of this aff: the orders which I received. Those orders Were to waylay M. Starovitch and you, and if either of you should be wearing a white thread on his back, to kill him. You know yourself that the first time, two nights ago, 1 let you go, because my agent failed to sce the white thread; and I have been severely blamed for it since. The thread must have come off.’ ‘Yes, { took it off that night, b. ‘as Not convenient to me to deal with you then,’ I said, seeking to impress him with the idea that 1 knew everything. ‘ut now you have not yet told me from whom you d these orders you speak of.’ » Slanced at me with a sullen expres- use it ion. ‘Come, M. le Baron, you know as well as I do,’ “dare say I do,’ should like to have the it from you.” “I took out my revolver, and laid it on the table. ‘Well, then, if T Prince George himself.’ “Thank you; that is enough, Now, as soon as you have written that down end signed it in the presence of this gentleman and myself, you may go home.’ “He drew back at this, and scowled. doubt he had counted on being able to deny everything as soon as he found himself in ciy ‘I refuse to sign,’ he muttered, at length. “I took up my revolver. ““Montalembert, may I trouble take this person by the left arm,’ quietly “The man muttered an oath. “Give me the paper, then, rt.” ‘en minutes later he had gone, leaving me in possession of a document which I regarded as not less valuable than the Papers intrusted to me by poor Starovitch. “The following morning, just as I was abcut to start for the palace, a carriage I retorted, ‘but I pleasure of hearing must say It—from No since you i Can Hardly Describe How the Rest Happened. drove up to my door at a furious pace, and Baron Dourenski sprang out. ‘Thank heaven, I am in time to save you!’ he exclaimed, as he caught sight of me. “Not at all, my dear Dourenski,’ I re- torted coolly, ‘I have managed to save myself.’ "” “And afterward?” I demanded, as the beyond | i | t and that this clever Dourenski had Lid 2 {little trap for the prince, and had omitted to take Princess Catherine into his conti- dence, But. for the honor of the d'plo- matic body, I prefer to think that he did not foresee the extreme measures to Which ambassador assumed an alr of having finished. hands. You may imagine that T had had enough of Russian diplomatic methods to {me my Iifet'me. I simply gave Dour- erskl his packet, with the seal unbroken, together with the confession of the chicf of police. “Dourenski went straight to the palace. What exactly transpired between the prirce and him I cannot say. following week Europe was sta news that Prince George had in faver of his son, a boy of thirteen. ‘This tme [ felt that his excellency had really finished, and we waiked on some little way before I ventured to put a que tion to him: “And the sealed karn its contents? His excellency re But the cket? Did you never rded me with pity. ski did not offer to tell nd did you not » ellency with re- Breach. ainly not. should ¥ Up My Revolver, permitted any one to ask me sv sstion? ‘There are moments, im when you almost make me fei are wanting in delicacy. was not until were parti later, that the ambassador by saying have sometimes contents of the that t pot suspected t were Prince George would resort.’ (The i —_ HUMORS OF MARRIAGE, Nota From the New York Indepe “Make it short.” ‘He well. Then you do not peat much of the ceremor “Oh, no! Tam faint tis one experience. ext was the very couple wanted all could als, one up at mother’s and a final on at the church, the floor all but chatk- l where bride and groom and ¢ ndant was to put his or her fect, sentences learned and repeated, and every motion gone through again and n, thouzh the whole atter were bit of a “linked sweetnes enjoyed in pro- portion as a In this land of 1 a berty the nup- tial Knot may be tied in all styles, to suit the parties, from the bare form of the justice to the flowing robes and st ceremony of the scopal Church simple as < formula of a ce: Western official of whom we have = where heard “Jake, du you "low ter take Sal?” “Yer bet I du.” 1, du you ‘low “1 ‘low ter. “Then, in the name o° ther s ter take Jak atc * M Man. Amen.” Though somewhat abbreviated, this ser- vice Was not quite so short as that of a rather eccentric old minister in Connecti- cut, who, chancing to meet a couple that | had for years harassed him by seeming at any time about to put their heads into the it, matrin-onial noose, yet never doing tephen and Sarah, do you two re want to be married “Why, yes” “Then Ldeciare you husband and wife And away he weni and entered the mar- riage in the town records. not all ceremonies are by any so short; for, on the contrary, heard of mi ing the greater part of a h ng pretty theroughly t and the history of the e is a story of scemed to know a good d who erw ury, I pernounce you-uns maa and wo- | Highest of ail in Leavening Power.— Latest U.S. Gov't Report Royal ‘Afterward the affair passed out of my | six that boy kr . With 1 of five mo 1 K fifteen Enelish merch i men ved at nearly S000, and tous Baking Powder NAVAL SHIPS LOST AT SHA. Americ Vessels 1 Never Heard From, + Detroit Pro Prone. records of its endings, ships that have n but none so than of six « pt ones in these "This to all sea with the sad brief more sum- med up heard fr Nar a world of Ther gene down in defiantly att have battled 1) elements un words ey ssien 2m. laconic follo aning if have been ships with ex and it co hat have z8 flying cs that nasthead, avely ast erlogeed, f land; } oa of the detail, ef. in the history of Dour on new stars and str n eightern- torming a brilli forth ed capturing intercepted on her with them by th un ship of jong tig ufirmation « loss of the Wasp fo’ The mystery about this har t is generally familiar to ail of Ameri history. Her t Water afte: her st several stubborn of battles with and stre > heiled the S on board two ot naval ve mn ete wed: her own siz Ista, nis: the W nd toc ing officers of the old Essex after her truction in Valparaiso hurbor, and then passed on ints the dark mystery which has rever been solvel, That was the last in- igence ever brought lo port by any ship ing the vwteran fighter and victor fate will ever rema an vnexplaised it vessel of th hout leaving serles to be ny sign be brig _Eper John Shubrick. “When the United plain matters was the by manded the tern States Lieut ur bi on July trace Epervier, Straits of Gibralta from that time all She sailed upon Wallowed up by the sx the hopes and amt Tn invdern times th at sea has been com United Stat wvy tunate in this re cectury, but th much commissie is 12, of her that has wre of so many Joss of naval ¥ ratively I Pn has va navy is bi Was about. | When the minister asked him | 1 7 nav “Do you take this woman to be your wed- | ent Hines trom the ott ded wige?” he answered instantly, with no | {PtH ty dittiout to small degre? of warmth, here, pa | it As safe to assume what do you suppcse we came heie f das could stand the divorce? » more true to life was BsAegdliede: than another case when in addressing m : : bride the minister asked: “Do yo! Squadron would undoubtedly man for better or for wo e Erueral sorvow and comment tell until T have had h'm a w Joss of abe I oo tupted the bride. On this id in Weir days, think it would not have been inappropriate Nessel of our modern fleet carries had the friend who presided at the piuno | 2 Much larger complement of men, and her played for a recessional the same selecti : erat times as ureat. ‘The Navy that is said to have been performed at : ; tlds exercises more pre recent wedding in Boston. As tae newty | C#0to Fivate company int Traitied pair retired down the aisle the | POwwtne Vessels with every, 54 organist is said to have innocently ren- | 8F'the dient dered “Onward, Christian soldiers, march-| 2uyjnm ject ing as to war! soo WHO MADDIE MEN. Recause They Do to Be Wives. From London Woman. Women may be charming, wholly voted to their homes and their hus de- nds, and yet be so tactless, thoughtless and ag- | gravating as to drive husbands to the ex- treme of misery. Any observant bachelor could recall numbers of instances of wo- | men who, from mere want of tact amd in- telligence, are almost driving their h bands mad by getting on their nerves. They forget that busy men require absolute brain rest, change of scene, change of subj: They forget that, however wor little affairs of a household ma the the y be, anxieties of a great business upon which the whole family’s pre pend are far greater. who is now nearly a millionaire, told me in confidence that while he was ‘sitting night over his smoking room fire, wo: ing whether he could next day possibly survive a terrible crisis which was hang- ing over nis head and might lead (o a dis ent and future de- A friend of mine astrous bankruptcy, with debts to ihe ex- tent of £200,000 or so, his came whining into the rcom to say the buzcher must be paid the next day—and the amoant of the butcher's bill was under £ It is on such occasions that a man wants a helpful wife—one who will tell him about f active the navy well } bered that some of the ances prded were onl chant itied up as the use for » is increased. reat Rritain and France have a muca longer Hist of warships that have sa‘ied upon the ocean to go dc befor 1" heavy storm without leav i at Britain leads which ts only natu the size of her navy, and second, with Spain foliowir third. On the naval lists of nat there is written over against the nam: the unfortunate sel these oininous words: * ver heard from.” _ a Danger in Roentgen Rays. From the Phitudelpiia Public Ledger, A warning has been voiced by one of the leading English medical journals in regard to the too frequent use of the Roentgen ray apparatus, It is Interesting, no doubt, to obtain a scries of photogr: of one's own skele ton, but if this is to be at the expense of such trifles as cne’s h one’s finger nails, 1 seems hardly wor! st. One electrical engineer, who h, demon- rated t LULy Oo r bones placing one of ithin the ra- dius of the sear has 1 alt the nails from the ‘of that or read aloud the last good novel, who will | ir. Sidney who is one of say, “Come, let us go to the theater to- | ling experimenters in this direction, night; you ‘need change of scene,” an, ; as several cases of charace above all, one who knows just when her | ter in the structural c that occur in husband requires nothing more than to he | the hair, and so forth who ha left alone. It 1s women who get on their! been frequcnUly shado’ by 1 husband's nerves that drive them to take | methed. Thus, in the paticnts bachelor holidays when they ought io be | whose heads been to. the getting more enjoyment from the wife's | influence of the rays, the t compantonship. turned white or has fallen out entirely. It Of course, there are men who are alw: is suggested that these results ene te out of sorts, spoilt, dyspeptic bears with | the clectri ency of what caiied sore heads, who require strong minds to| the vlira of trum, manage them, but there are very many | though their pre jon resent others who only want judicious, sympa- | by no mears thor y un . thetic treatment to be the best husbands in| One curious sugses-ion ha dy boon the world. Avold being silly, avoid saying | made. It is a wetl-kno superstition, and silly things or trying to make conversa-|one which has exi for generations. tion, or commenting on some remark your | that peopl+ who 5! t rays of husband has made. Read and think in or-| the moon have their reason more or leas der to cultivate intelligence and resouree- | seriously affected. Now it is said that fulness, with the object in view of being | these ultra violet rays exist in the moon- his counselor and his friend, and, above all, ; ght, and hence a popular superstition may “chum"—that word means much. be founded upon scientific fact.