Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1912-Jan 1913)

A NATION'S PERIL 71 ent note was dispatched to St. Petersburg, asking for the immediate disposal of an English-speaking lady, of beauty and trained wit, who would be of inestimable value in getting about Washington, where the presence of an official would be suspicious. A few days later the passenger list of the transatlantic flyer, the Bohemia, contained the information that Countess Anna Mikailberg, and maid, were about to depart for the United States, and on the following day an item appeared in the New York and Washington papers to the effect that the beautiful and accomplished niece of the Russian ambassador was about to visit the United States, under his patronage, ' ' and, ' ' the article went on to say, "it is significant, just at this time, how lightly the representative of Russia treats the ultimate unfavorable solution of the passport imbroglio." On opening one's newspaper at breakfast the next morning, it was almost staggering to find the amount of detail our voracious newsgatherers had added to the matter. Photographs of the countess in hunting costume, holding a wolfhound, appeared; halftones in demi-toilette, and a minute description of her estate in Vitebsk. The ambassador had been waylaid from a waiting taxi, and had confessed to her coming ; besides, it was reported that the Russian embassy would give a ball in her honor which, in point of splendor, would make previous ones look like an East Side outing. Count Cyril was amused and edified mightily, along with the general public. The Bohemia had docked in New York, and at the fall of night the embassy limousine had scurried off to the station in Washington to meet the expected countess. He had decided, after careful deliberation, not to meet her at the station. The place would undoubtedly be crowded with curiosity seekers and reporters, and . . . Well, uncle and niece might not recognize each other as promptly as affection demanded. The shades and curtains were drawn in Mikailberg 's study, as he sat sorting over a file of daily papers. "The little minx!" he commented, turning to his favorite attache, a swart, thick-set young nobleman ; ' 'she has certainly permitted free reign to her imagination with the newspaper men. ' ' "Indiscreet, I should say," said the other. Not at all ; the more publicity she receives, the quicker suspicion will be dissolved. If she had come over under a seeming nom clu voyage, and I had to do all the explaining, we would appear on the defensive. As it is, we have but to affirm or deny what the dear newspapers sav about her." " Ah ! A bit of finessing, ' ' laughed Gnedich, the attache, "that did not occur to me. ' ' "There is one further point," continued the ambassador, handing his listener the thick bundle of newspapers, "she must read these thru minutely before retiring tonight. I doubt if she has taken notes on her charming biography." The purring of a motor on the asphalt interrupted further conversation. "Have her brought directly here," ordered Mikailberg, quickly. "I do not trust all the servants." He had barely seated himself, with his back to the hangings, when their soft rustle announced the entrance of some one. ' ' Countess Anna Mikailberg, ' ' said Gnedich, quietly. Count Cyril arose and bowed respectfully over the hand of a tall, veiled woman in an English tweed traveling suit. "At last you have come," he said. "Yes," she answered in clear contralto tones. "I doubt if the arrival of your much desired niece has taken you unawares. ' ' "I am surprised — and I may add delighted — only at the clever manner in which you have commenced your mission." As she slowly unfastened the knot of her veil, Mikailberg thought he detected the shadow of a retreating smile on the full red lips revealed to him. What measure of appreciation for the