Elusive Isabel

ven, and always exquisitely, albeit frigidly, courteous; but beneath the still, suave surface strange currents play at cross purposes, intrigue is endless, and the merc

er; but the ripple moves and all is placid again. No man may know all t

are conducted in the drawing-room, but long before that the fight is fought down cellar. The diplomatists meet at table and there isn't any broken crockery, but you can always tell what the

he French ambassador, dapper, volatile, plus-correct; here Russia's highest representative wags a huge, blond beard; and yonder is the phlegmatic German ambassador. Scattered around the table, brill

e minister-who was educated at Radcliffe-when a servant leaned over him and laid a sealed envelope beside his plate. The count glanced around at the serva

says she must see you immediately, on

ce, with wrinkled brow, the

o call at the embassy to-morrow

to the servant, and resumed

perscription, the ambassador impatiently shoved it aside, intending to disregard it. But irritated curio

hat you come to th

gly, then idly turned the card over. There was no name on the reverse side-only a crest. Evidently the count recognized this, for his impassive face reflected sur

Was Unmistakably

y," he directe

he was there. His secret

getically. "I gave her your message, but she said she mu

nted the ambassador. "

eply. "She said n

n some rich, glistening stuff which fell away sheerly from her splendid bare shoulders. She turned and he found himself looking into a pair of clear, blue-gray eyes, frank enough and yet in their very frankness possessing an alluring,

id in a tone of deep respect. "Pleas

note," she apologized graciously. "It would at le

it crumbled up in her gloved hand. The last tiny scrap found refuge in a silver tray, where she watch

n't over yet?"

t for another

nner isn't of any consequence, but I should like very muc

the ambassador objected diffidently. "It would

e highest diplomatic representative of a great nation should not find i

hing out of the usual attracts attention in Washington. I dare say, from the manner o

him with an e

on to herself." She laughed-a throaty, silvery note that was charming. "And if you hesitate now, then to-morrow-why, to-morrow I am go

erhaps, something of resentment struggling within him, and certainly there was an une

ordinary a nature that-" he be

tience in the woman's mann

eaching New York at half-past three o'clock this afternoon; and at half-past four I was on my way here. I have been here less than one hour. I came

s out of the rut for an instant happens upon strange and unexpected obstacles.

ssary," she remarked, and she produced a

a folded sheet of paper. Some subtle working of his brain brought a sudden change in the expres

shall take pleasure in making any arrangement

cult, after all, will it?" she in

ely. "I shall take steps at once to have an invitation issued to you for

velope and returned it to her with another deep bow.

invitation," the ambassador went on to explain. "If

"Why, Count, you embarrass me. You know,

dam," responded the count.

itated

orne," she suggested at last. "That w

Please excuse me a moment, and I'll give my secretary instruc

hazy in the soft night, the dome of the capitol rose mistily; over to the right was the congressional library, and out there where the lights sparkled lay Pennsylvania Avenue, a threa

Rosini

e announced. "Will you go with me in my

answered after a moment. "I

dor bowed h

bel Thorne came