The Opelousas courier., 1893-06-24

4 RE&n AhSAAo IN buS
majority of his well
educated companions.
When Cecil Pentreath, with outward
composure aad inward tribulatlon, 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, providing-and he did not doubt
that it would be the case-each found
the others references satisfactory.
~ will give you till this time to-mor-
row to consider the matter and make such
inquiries as you think proper" he SAID,
in conclusion.
"Anyhow, l suppose I need not start
for a week or twoa" she asked. ~
should like a little while in which to
take leave of my friends"
"Naturally you would" he ed
kindly. "There is no immediate hurry.
A fortnight hence would suit the Petro-
witches very well, I've no doubt"
The Lext afternoon, having perfectly
satisfied herself in the interim anent the
responsibility of her future employers.
che went to keep her appointment with
Mr.. Kanserof.
he was not alone to-day. Another
man was in the room, a younger man.
VINO was seated at a writing table strewn
with papers, snd who merely glanced up
and bowed as she entered, aud then paid
no more attention to her.
Kauserof fose ~courteously, shook
hands and asked her to sit down.
swell, Miss Peutrcath, he said, "and
have you decided TO go to Russia2'
eyes," she answered, simply.
AS she spoke she was conscious that
the strauger-his interest suddenly
awakened-had turned his head, and
was locking Of Ter earnestly; the keen
s~crusiHs rendered her somewha"uncom.
Portable.
He said something rapidly to his
friend in Russian. From the note of in.
quiry in his voice, and the mention of
her own name and that of Petrowitch in
the reply, she guessed correctly that he
had asked who she was.
In the ensuing few minutes, while she
discussed business matters and settled
the date of her departure, she was sem
sible of the fact that every word she u~
tered was being absorbed and crisie;zad
by the man at the other es,d Of the room
and that all the tiGEg be was watcbina
her her olosslyeshat his eyes IS never nSs left her
When at length she rose to 60 he called
Kanseroff aside, and the latter left the
girl with a brief apology and a request
that she would remain a moment.
The two men talked eagerly, excitedly;
but it was the stranger who was having
most of the say. She could not under
stand them, Of course It appeared to
her, however, that he was making some
proposal of which Kanserof did not ap.
prove. At last the elder gave in, but
half convinced aud shrugged his
shoulders, remarking IN English:
"WCll, have yonr own way. But you
must make your own arraL gements; I
shan't interfere"
The younger mar turned abruptly to
Cecil, who had been watching the little
scene with natural curiosity.
"Miss Pentreath, would you like to
earn $4,000"
A rush of color flushed Cecil's cheeks,
"Ah-yes," she said, with a little
gasp in her voice. "But why do you
ask me2 How could I could I make so
much2"
every simply. By leaving England
in two days instead of two weeks, and
taking a little packet of papers with
You-a little packet that is Of such
great importance to my family that I
do not care to transmit it in the ordin-
airy way, through the post"
The girls clear eyes met the mans
bewildered questioning. Then a sud
den light daWned upon her; his motive
became clear.
ooh" she cried, and her breath came
and went rapidly; Sin plain words, sir,
you want me to smuggle papers into,
Russia which would get me into trouble
were they discovered by the police2"
HYes.n
"Yhen I must decline; it would be
wrong"
ION the contrary" he said quickly,
cit would be right. You might even.
be the means of saving a life."
His tone and man1er wezs earnest.
Whether he was speaking the truth or
whether this earnestness was merely as
sumed to convince her it was difficult to
say, but the girl was satisfied.
"May | ask why you have chosen me
for this work."
First, because you are going to the
country anyhow secondly, and chiefly,
because you ara a foreigner and a mere
girl. You will pass unheeded. unsus-
pected, where Others would not-tilat is
TO say, it you can keep your self.pusses-
sion when ii ID needed, and ! think you
! con, Cor. though you are % young, you
- -