Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-04-21
D

y y AS 'pOhO
English like the
~ E>~N majority of his well
educated companions.
When Cecil Pentreath, with outward
composure and inward tribulatIon, was
shown into his private sitting room at
the Langham Hotel that afternoon he
laid down the Times and regarded her
pretty face with evident appreciation.
At the end of five minutes he said he
believed she would suit his friends. and
that he would pay her passage out to
Odessa, proylding-and he did not doubt
that it would be the case-each found
the others references satisfactory.
al will give you till this time to.mor-
row to consider the matter and make such
inquiries as You think proper" he sad,
in conclusion.
"Anyhow, suppose need not start
for a week or twoF she asked. ~
should like little while in which to
take leave OF my friends"
"NaturalIy you would" he answered
kindly. There is no immediate hurry.
A fortnight hence would suit the PetIo.
witches very well, Eve no doubt. "
The next afternoon, having perfectly
satisfied herself in the interim anent the
responsibility of her future employers,
she went to keep her appointment with
Mr.. kanscroH.
He was not alone to-day. Another
man Was in the room, younger man,
VINO was seated ut a writing table strcwn
with papets, and who merely glanced up
and bowed rs she entered, aud then paid
no more attention to her.
kanserotf rose courteously, shook
hands and asked her to sit down.
"WelI, Miss Pentrcath," he sal ], "and
have You decided to 20 to Ru5sla"
"IcS, sac answered, simply.
As she spoke she was conscious chat
the strangcr-hs interest suddenly
aNakened-had turned his head, and
was looking at her earnestly; the keen
scrutiny rcude5ed her somewha uncom.
Portable.
lie said something rapidly to his
friend Ill Russian. From the note OF in.
curry IN his voice, and the mention of
her own name and that of Pctrowitch in
the reply, she guessed correctly that he
had asked VINO she was.
In the ensuing few minutes, while she
discussed business matters aud settled
the date OF her departure, she was sen
slble OF the fact that every word sac ut
tered was being absorbed and criticized
by the man at the other end of the room,
and that all the time he was watching
her closely-that his eyes never left her
face.
When at length she rose to 90 he called
KanseroiT aside, and the latter left the
grI with brief apology and request
that she would remain moment.
The two men talked eagerly, excitcdly;
but 1t was the stranger VINO was having
most of the say. Sac could not under
stand them, OF course. 1t appeared to
her, however, TINT he was making some
proposal of which kanseroG did not APP.
prove. At last the elder gave IN, but
half convinced and shrugged his
shoulders, remarling III English.
swell, have yonr own way. But you
must make your own arraL gements;
shant interfere"
The younger man turned abruptly to
Cecil, who had been watching the little
scene with natural curiosity.
"Miss Pentreath, would you like to
earn $5lOO2"
A rush OF color flushed Cecl's cheeks.
"Ah--ycs," she said, with little
gasp in her voice. "But why do you
ask met How could l could I make SO
muChl"
Every simply. By leaving England
In two days instead of two weeks, aud
taking a little packet of papers with
Yol-a little packet that is of such
great Importance to my family that |
10 not care to transmit it in the ordln-
airy way, through the post
The girls clear eyes met the mans
oe~iIdercd questioning. Then sud
Den light dawned upon her; his motive
became clear.
"Oh, " she cried, aud her breath came
and went rapidly; Gin plain words, sir,
you want me to smuggIe papers into
RUSSIA which would get me into trouble
We're they discovered by the police"
eyes"
"Yhen | must decline; it would be
wrong"
"On the contrary" he said quickly,
vt would be right. You might even
be the means of saving life."
His tone and manner were earnest.
whether he was speaking the truth or
whether this earnestness was mere y as
sumed to convince her it was difficult to
say, but the girl was satisfied.
"Nlay ask Why you have chosen me
for this work."
"First, because you are going to the
country anyhow; secondly, and chiefly,
because you are foreigner and mere
glrl. You will pass unheeded, unsus
pected, where others would not-that is
TO say, if you can keep your self-posses-
slon when it is needed, and think you
can. for. though you are SO young, YOU