Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 310, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1913 — Page 3

The League of Lost Causes

By H. M. EGBERT

The Education of Edward \

■ \) '• . SND this, I suppose, will be tbe last meeting of the club,” Bald his . majesty, King George of England, rising with a yawn and bub toning up his gloves. “The last regular meeting sir,” answered Lord Claude Tresham, secretary to the organisation. “The premises will always be open.” “But for more convivial purposes,” put in ex-King Manuel of Portugal, laughing. ‘1 regret to say that an immediate engagement ” “Manuel,” interrupted the English monarch, clapping tbe young fellow upon the shoulder, “we owe you much gratitude. By detaching yourself from this criminal league you have put an end to its activities in Europe/ When the Tsar withdrew his support you were thtTlast prop left. Ant now— —” “Well, I did think it could get me back my throne,” said Manuel, yawning.' ‘And naturally I was iot greatly averse to using it as a means toward that end. But now, if you vill pardon me, a most important affair of state makes my presence imperative, and so ” “It’s cprisus,” observed King George;’-'ffngering at the door, “it’s a night and lost its influence in a day. When Professor Dvarnak propounded his plan for the revival of aristocracy he had an;,imnediate response from half the rulers fjf Europe. I confess that for a time he influenced me. I believe the league would have effected its purposes, too, had it not been used by base mqi for thir own purposes, and sunk to tie level of an anarchistic organization, thus compelling us to form a counter league to thwart it. And that we havt succeeded is due entirely to you, tresham.” “And to Paul Lane,” said iresham. “The American millionairj?” “Yes, sir. He, too, was Strapped Into joining the league and aiding it with his money, principally I through the influence of her highness the Princess Clothilde Of Austria. te came over to us when he learned the true nature of the society, and las since done all in his power to aid is. And I have hopes that the prlncesi herself will join in giving the leagie the coup de grace.” . , : “A very remarkable womjn, the Princess Clothilde,” said Kind George thoughtfully. “I know her Tell and hope to see her often now that she has abandoned Dvornak and his fellow - conspirators. As for this Lane — where is he?” d “Not far from here, sir,” answered Lord Claude. “Well, you must bring hinj to see me next time we are both 1; Paris. Do you go my way, Manuel ?”he con- > tinued, turning to the Portugese sovereign. “No, cousin. I have a mos pressing appointment on weighty [natters of state,” replied the other, ffid vanished without further ceremoy down the same stairs by which Kins George soon afterward took his depajure. It was in the private dinig room of Monsieur Gabriel, in Paris Seven kings had attended what wa to be the last session of their club Formed by the steadier heads amng the European rulers, to combat tje perilous activities of the league, ithad accomplished its purpose. Tin league was on its last legs. And Pail Lane, who had opposed it with all his resources, had been mainly intrumental in securing its overthrow.! Lord Claude Tresham steppd back to the mantel and lit a cigarete. “I wonder,” hp mused, as b puffed out a cloud of fragrant sioke, "1 wonder just how soon Kins George will learn that his heir has hen kidnapped!” He strode across the room bd pulled back the curtain which aparated the dining room from thal of the attfhdants. . j '"Paul!” he called, “come il** Paul Lane, in waiter’s gaij, which was converted into conventual evening dreßS by the removal oflhe napkin protruding from his waispoat, entered and took the clgaretf which the other handeci him. " wanted you to hear our bnversation tonight, Paul,” said Lfd Tresham, “because I have good Jason to believe that the activities of the league are not wholly ended In fact, they have succeeded in' pulng off a most daring coup. Prince llward of Wales was kidnapped two hire ago." “In Patii?” ' “Yes, from the town hotp of the Marquis de Breteuil, whoseguest he has been, as you know, so severhl months. In order that he light become proficient In Freni. King George and Queen Mary rived inParis this afternoon lncogn>, to see, their son. They visited thi marquis’ house and met the prince, id, being satisfied that all is right ith him, will not exfteet to see him sain until tomorrow. Between now tnd then the prince must be founij I have Just learned the news from lie of our agents. Nobody knows i yet, not even the Marquis de Breteu*’ “But is there no clue? Hhat was the purpose of the conspirors?” “The 'purpose, Pan!, Is nolly unknown to me. There do« exist a' due, however. The Prince Clothilde,

Being the Romantic Adventures el Paul Lane, American Millionaire

(Copyright, 1913, by W. G. Chapman.)

who, as yo# know, h&s resolved to oppose the league, but fears to do so openly owing to some hold which Von Holzrath, their leader, has over her, wishes to see you at midnight in the Case Celestiel, on the Boulevard Richepin—a famous haunt of actors and soubrettes. She sent me this message half an hour before the club convened. It was something of an ordeal to keep all, knowledge of this affair from King Gebrge, as you may well imagine. Now the best thing you can do will be to follow up this clue. \I rely Implicitly in you, Paul — only remember, Prince Edwan! must be found by daybreak and restored to the house' of the marquis before his father and mother get wind of the affair." Paul did not delay a moment, but, clapping on his hat and struggling into his overcoat, he hurried down the stairs of Gabriel’s and took a taxicab to the corner of the Boulevard Richepin. Arrived there, he dismissed the vehicle and proceeded afoot toward the case, reaching it just as a clock pealed the hour of twelve in announcement to twenty other clooks, whieh solemnly took up the sound. The Case Celestiel was brilliant with Rights and gay with diners. Men in evening dress and women in magnificent gowns, set off with flashing jewels, moved restlessly; among those seated, or, seated themselves, sipped their liquors and chattered incessantly, while over the buzz of conversation rang out the lively strains of music. Paul, standing at .the entrance, let his eyes wander over the throng. He scanned each face, but he did not detect that of Clothilde.

He noticed, however, that, though apparently engrossed in their own affairs, each couple looked furtively toward one central focus, on which all eyes were more- or less directed, while he could hear low exclamations of astonishment among those nearest him. Following these glanceß, Paul suddenly found himself staring at a lad of about seventeen or eighteen years who, seated beside a loudly dressed woman, evidently an actress, was indulging in hilarious laughter due quite as much to wine as to amusement. Paul looked harder and then gasped in astonishment. This was Prince Edward. There was no mistaking that trim coat, o? English cut, those patent leather shoes, topped with the white spats, and the very cane with a dog’s head, all of which had.been familiarized to the Parisians through newspaper drawings and cartoons. And the woman was—Gabrielle de Soucy, the notorious actress, whose indiscretions had formed the staple of Paris gossip ever since she entangled the ex-king of Portugal in her clutches and released him several thousand pounds the poorer.

“But It is indiscreet!’\ he heard a woman near him murmur to his companion. “To princes much is forgiven—but to parade himself thus, here!” “Oh!” murmured the man, rolling up his eyebrows in affected horror, “if his royal mother knew —that Puritan lady of Englang! Mon Dieu! Doubtless she thinks he is asleep in his bed at this hour.” “The marquis, his guardian, must be stark, raving mad to allow this,” exclaimed the woman again. Paul’s eye caught that of the prince. He detected a distinct message In it. He moved toward the young fellow, puzzled, wondering; something in that glance made hint dimly aware that he had seen him in the flesh, knew him. ... It was the Princesß Clothilde, masquerading in the prince’s clothes! The shock of the discovery stupe-' fled Paul. Quite quietly he sat down into the chair which the princess indicated to him. He saw the looks of the diners fixed on him; he felt amazed, helpless, out of his depth. But the pseudo-prince was talking more hilariously than ever, and the actress, apparently believing Paul to be one of the prince’s friends, had already transfixed him with her languishing glances. “No, no,” hiccoughed the prince, catching the glance. “No, he is not for you, my dear Gabrielle. This is a particular friend of- mine, with whom I have an important engagement. You will pardon me if I leave you for one moment?” “O, certainly,” murmured Gabrielle, not in the most friendly tone. Evidently she suspected Paul of being an agent of the marquis, he thought Then, slipping out of the chair, Clothilde plucked Paul by the arm and motioned to him to follow into a dimly lighted corner, a little apart from the crowd. She sat down at a small table and Paul took his seat at her side. . “Clothilde, what folly is this?” he began harshly. “To masquerade in public while—-— *’ * " "Hush, Paul!” she answered, and suddenly he perceived that there was a depth of passionate emotion under the feigned merriment. "Paul, when I told you that I was resolved to leave the league, I told yeu also that I must first work out my destiny, until I had .crushed the league or till it had crushed me. Von Holzrath knows that

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND;

I am no longer an enthusiast in his 1 cause. He offered me the choice between furthprjng his schemes and—> ruin. I pretended to obey him; secretly I sent a message to Lord Tresham, making an appointment for you to meet., me here, for I had heard you were in Paris; Now listen, Paul; “They mean no harm to the prince. They want to set France and England by the ears—and what easier than to make England think that the young prince, who' Is a model of decorum, has failen into evil ways and that the Marquis de Breteuil has been unfaithful to his trust? They know that King George and Quegp Mary arrived incognito in Paris this afternoon to see their son. So they have kidnapped him for a few hours, meaning that i shall play his part with Gabrielle de Soucy in public. Tomorrow, when the prince is released, his story of • kidnapping will be scouted; the king will take him back to England immediately, and public opinion in England will be aflame against France. “I dared ndt refuse Von Holzrath, but I sent a message secretly, as you know.” “But Where is the prince?” cried Paul. “I do not know. I could not learn. Paul, for heaven’s sake follow on his track, for f must go back and play my part again. Von Holzrath is übiquitous, his spies may even now be

watching me. It is madness to be seen talking with you.” “One moment. Gabrielle thinks you the prince? It is incredible that a woman should be deceived.” “No, Paul. She is but playing her part. She knows nothing of the plot and thinks the whole thing a wager, wherefrom she is to reap ten thousand francs for aiding in 'the jest Now I must go.” She rose. : , “But the prince,” Paul cried again in desperation. “Give me some clue.” “I cannot, Paul. Ask at the house of the marquis. That is all I can sug-» gest. I must go, Paul —forgive me.” For a fraction of a moment he felt her hand in his, and then he knew that, whatever the part which she must play, her love was his. Some day, when all their sufferings were ended, he would take her home with him, to dwell in peace and quiet for all their lives in his own land. Home! The thought, the memory of it burned in his heart and gave him new resolution. He buttoned his coat tightly and hurried away from the restaurant toward the marquis’ town house.. ~ But it was five miles from the Case Celestiel to that fashionable neighborhood where the Marquia de Breteuil resided, and Paul, when about tp hail a taxicab, discovered to his consternation that he had no money in his

pocket. He knew no one from whom to borrow in that region. It was almost as far to Lord Claude’s abode as to thpt of thq* marquis. There was nothing to do but to walk. So he strode through the endless streets, crossed the Seine, and then proceeded through a mean region of little shops, while from time to time the pealing of the city clocks indicated the swift passage of the hours. It was nearly two before he stood at last in frgpjfof the old chateau in which the/prinde was harbored.

He knew his room! it had been indicated in many a diagram and plan in many a newspaper. It overlooked the avenue, and now Paul, standing directly under it, perceived that there was a light in the prince’s window. And, as he looked up, straining his eyes to catch a clearer glimpse of the figure behind the curtain, suddenly the window was thrown wide open and the youthful figure of the prince looked out.

It was Prince Edward! There was np mistaking him! None could have mistaken that characteristic figure, that bright, English face, the profile—it was the prince complete, even down to the fashionable coat bo often portrayed. f' ' ■ As Paul watched the prince turned round, the curtain fell, and the light went out. He had come on a wild goose chase, and the true explanation of it

suddenly flashed through his mind. Von Holzrath, the soul and cunning inspiration of the league, distrusting Clothilde, had merely pretended that the prince had been kidnapped, in order that she might reveal the story and spread the rumor, they incidentally tMrowing his enemies off their guard. Paul had not credited the man with so much originality. In the midst of these rumors, which would doubtless be communicated to King George, who would believe the prince’s own story that he had spent the night quietly at home, when the newspapers would be full of his night adventure in the Case Celestiel? Truly Von Holzrath had hit upon a cunning scheme, and one which far transcended the vulgar vice of kidnapping the heir apparent.

Paul’s resolution was made up in an instant. He must hurry back to the Case Celestiel, acquaint Clothilde with the truth about the affair, and.force her, by any means in his power, to accompany him to Lord Claude’s house and there reveal -the details of the conspiracy. The Case Celestiel was still brilliant with lights, an<l the band still played, but the case Itself was almost empty. A few newcomers lazily sipped - their absinthe there—shabby folks, night birds, journalists and writers who kept Irregular hours.

They were gathered in little groups and noisily discussing some topic, of interest Paul, seating himself' close by, made out the ten’or of the conversation with no difficulty. » ■ -W _ “I wish I had been there!” moan.ed a shaggy-haired newspaper writer. “Just my luck to miss such an event! Tell me, Alphonse, just what occurred.”

“He was here at midnight with her —Madpmoiselle de Soucy,” he said. “Sapristi! they drank together for,, two hours, Mademoiselle and the prince, till both were tipsy. And he flaunted himself, so Messieurs, in his English coat and his patent leathers, yes, even to the dog’shead cane that all Paris'has learned to know. He won all hearts, this English prince. And then, just as we were wondering whether or not he would roll under die table, up steps —who do you think? Manqel of Porthen?” “Ciel! What a meeting! And hten?”

“When Mademoiselle perceived him she grew pale as death and rose from the table with a little cry of fear, and stood facing the ex-king with arms stretched out as though to shield the boy prince from his wrath. And the prince rose, too, and looked upon Manuel with calm dignity—the dignity of a prince, an English prince, Messieurs. And then Manuel walked up to the prince and, taking off his gloves

in a leisurely way, folded them together and struck Prince Edward across the face. And then men sprang between them and—and- 1 —" “A duel!” exclaimed the shaggyhaired journalist. "Mon Dieu! Where will it be?”

“None knows. They went off with their seconds in two taxicabs„ leaving poor Mademoiselle de Soucy alone and half hysterical. But it i& certain that they will fight before morning.” Paul sprang to his feet in horror. A duel! Clothilde, in a boy’s garb, engaged in a fencing bout with the infuriated young man who bad been ruler of Portugal!

He made bis way (Jrunkenly toward the corner in which he and Clothilde had sat A scrap of paper was lying upon one of the chairs. Paul opened it mechanically and saw a scrap of writing upon it He read: “The little park in the Bols at five." the blood tingled in his veins. Clothilde, in the supreme moment of the challenge, had, then, founds time somehow to indite that note to him, knowing that he would come back, and trusting that he would discover it. Paul knew the little park—an unfrequented glade, one of the score and more in which duelista met to settle their differences. It was a quarter before four. He had no time to go to Lord Tresham’s

house. He must decide Immediately. If he set out at once he could reach the duelling ground, some fifteen minutes before the appointed time. The pale light of the summer morning bad already begun to make the trees and paths distinguishable when Paul arrived at the gate of the Bois nearest to tbe dueling ground. It was twenty minutes to five He quickened his steps, directing them toward the little glade. At last he reached it—thank God, it was empty—and, flinging himself down upon the dewy grass, he rested. His limbs ached and his head was swimming; his eyes were heavy from want of sleep. He needed all his strength to control himself. , He must act wisely, swiftly and say net .one rash word. Presently a fiacre rattled up and . halted in the middle of the near-by carriage drive, and two men stepped out of it. Almost immediately it was tallowed by which, halting in the identical spot, disgorged three others. Through the'bushes behind which he lay concealed Paul could see, in the rapidly increasing light, that the first two men .were Manuel and his second; the other three were, the supposed prince, his second, and a man who carried a little black case and Was evidently a doctor. ' The parties saluted formally, and the man with the case stepped forward and communed for a while with Manuel’s second. Then, being joined by their parties, they stationed them ip chosen places, some fifteen paces apart. And, as the man with the case” opened It, Paul perceived to his horror that the case did not contain surgical supplies. It contained two pistols. This was evidently to be a duel a l’outrance. And one of the combatants would fall, . killed, or perhaps mortally wounded. That the duel was to be a serious one was evinced from the fact that the combatants were set facing each other, and not back to back, as ii commonly done in encounters when only honor is sought. The principals raised their pistols; the seconds took their stations. The man with the case, half between the tfwo, raised a white handkerchief. “One!” he counted. Suddenly Paul saw a third carriage, driven at a furious pace, dash down the drive and come to a halt fifty yards away. A middle-aged gentleman and a lady, primly dressed, descended, and, perceiving what was taking place, began running Wildly toward the combatants. f “Two!” shouted the man in the middle. Paul bounded from the underbrush. “Put up your weapons!” he yelled In French. And the five, startled by this sudden appearance and still mote unceremonious command, obeyed, -- "Monsieur!" exclaimed the man with the handkerchief, as Paul stumbled toward iilin, “this is -most unseemly. If you *• “Well done! Well done!” shouted the middle-aged man, finding his voice as he staggered into the middle of the group, leaving the lady toiling in tbe rear. ‘Just in the nick, of time. Edward!” ’

Bat if the others were disconcerted the middle-aged man was more discomfited than they. He seemedto totter backward; his eyes stared through their heavy fringes, and bis mouth opened and remained open. The lady, who joined the group at that moment, seemed paralyzed with fear. She sank to the ground, sobbing. The gentleman raised her in his arms and, taming upon the group with an expression of sternness, said: " “That man is not my son." Round the bend of the drive came a fourth carriage, and before it" stopped a young man leaped from it and came bounding, lithe as a deer, across the grass, shouting as he advanced. He burst into the midst of the assembled company and clasped his mother in his arms. And the rest, entirely overcome by the crescendo of these unparalleled circumstances, only looked wildly at one another. They Could not find their tongues. It was really astonishing how little they resembled each other—the true prince and the false. It clothes make the man, they had certainly made the prince in the minds of the Parisians. For, save that each wore,a trim English coat and patent leather boots and spats, and carried a cane with a dog’s head, there was astonishingly little resemblance between the trqe Prince Edward, with his arms round his sobbing mother, and the false Prince Edward, still holding the dueling pistol. “I heard that you had come here to look' for me, father,” exclaimed the prince. “What does it meant 5 They sent a telephone mesage to the marquis’ house ” ‘Who sent itr “The ‘Daily Star.’ They told the marquis that I had been out all night in a case, that I was to fight a duel, that you had come to Paris and had been warned to be in the Bols, and so I —what does it mean?” Queen Mary picked herself up and came forward, her eyes boring like steel augers into Clothilde’s face. * ‘Who is that woman, masquerading as my son, the prince?” she asked. Then, rising to the occasion. Paul stepped forward, doffing his hat with his politest smile. “It means, Madam,” he said, “that a cinematograph picture was to be taken in the Bois, and that one of the chief actors unfortunately adopted a dress, too similar to your son's." "Ha!” snorted King George incredulously. ‘Where is your camera, sir?” “I left it in the cab,” replied Paul deferentially. "The cabman took it in charge because I had forgotten aiy money.” v **