Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-19
BY F. MARION CRAWFORD,
Author Caudius" Singer" and
Many Other Stories That Taken
Standard Literature
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH

tanned a pure white curd of milk and Q
fourth was heaped up with rare fruits. A
| hagon of Bohemian glass, clear and bright
| as rock crystal and covered with very beau
| tiful traceries of black and gold, with
drinking vessel of the same design, stood
! upon the table beside the platter.
7 "My simple meal" said Keyork, spread
ing out his hands and smiling pleasantly.
You will share it with me. There will be
enough Tor two."
$50 far as that is concerned, should say
So" the Wanderer answered him with
smile But my business is rather urgent"
Suddenly he saw that there was a third
person in the room, and glanced at Keyork
in surprise.
II want to speak a few words with you
alone" he said. II would not trouble you,
but"
"Not in the eleast, not in the least, my dear
friend u asseverared Keyork, motioning him
to chair beside the board
But we are not alone" observed the
Wanderer, still standing and looking at the
stranger. Keyork saw the glance and un-
derstood. He broke into peals OF Laughter.
THAT y he exclaimed presently. "That
is the only individual. He will not disturb
US. Pray be seated"
II assure you that my business is very
private" the Wanderer objected"
Quite so-of course. But there is nothing
to fear. The individual is nv servants
most excellent creature, who has been with
me for many years. He cooks for me,
cleans the specimens and takes care of me in
all ways. A most reliable mau, 1 assure
you"
"Ofcourse." the Wanderer said, eff YOU
can answer for his discretion"
The Individual was standing at a little
distance from the table observing the two
men intently but respectfully with his keen
little black eyes. The rest of his square,
dark face expressed nothing. He had per-
tsctly straight, jet-black hair which hung
evenly all round his head and fiat against
his cheeks. He was dressed entirely in a
black robe of the nature OF a kattan, gath
cred closely around his waist by black
girdle and fitting tightly over his stalwars
shoulders.
"His discretion is beyond ali doubt"
Keyork answered, "and for the best OF all
reasons. He is totally deaf and dumb and
absolutely i.literate. l bought him years
ago in Astrakhan, OF Russian friend. He
is very clever with his fingers. 1t is ne who
stole for me the Malayan Iady's head over
there, after she was executed. And now, my
dear friend, let us have supper"
There were neither plates nor knives nor
forks upon the table, and at sign from
heyork, the Individual retired to procure
those Western membranes to eating.
The Wanderer, acquainted, as he had long
been, with his hosts eeeentrieities. showed
little surprise, but understood that whatever
he said would not be overhe ard, any mora
than If they had been alone. He hesitated
a moment, however for he had not deter
mined exactly how lar it was necessary to
acquaint keyork with the circumstances.
ana he was anxious to avoid all reference to
Unorna's FOLLY in regard to himself, The
Individual returned, bringing, with other
things, drinking glass for the Wauderer.
Reyork hlled 1t, and then filled his own.
1t was clear that ascetic practices formed
no part of his scheme TOR the prolongation
OF life. As he raised his glass to his lips.
his bright eyes twinkled.
'To Keyork's long life and happiness"
he said, calmly. and then slipped the wine.
"And now for your story" he added,
brushing the brown drops from his white
mustache with 4 small damask napkin
which the Individual presented to him and
Immediately received again, to throw il
aside as unfit for a second use.
II hardly think that we can afford 10
linger over supper" the Wanderer said.
noticing Keyork's GOODNESS with some anx.
lety. The case is urgent. Israel Kafka
has lost his head completely. He'has sworn
to kill Unorna, and is at the present mo-
ment confined in the conservatory in her
house"
the effect of the announcement upon Ke-
york was so extraordinary that the Wan
derer started, not being prepared for any
manifestation of what seemed to be the
deepest emotion. The gnome sprang from
the table with cry that would have been