The morning call., 1893-03-11

drawlngs music; 8 girls eldest IA; salary $500
and to-day TO kANSERoFF, Langham Hotel
He was an elderly Russian, slightly gray,
the 'Kauserotf'' of the newspaper adver-
tisement. He spoke English, like the ma
jority of his well-educated compariots. with
a scarcely pereeptible accent.
When Cecil Pentreath, with outward COM
posure and inward tubulation, was shown
into his private s!tNng-rOOm at the Lang
ham Hotel that afternoon, he laid down the
Times aud regarded her pretty face with
evident appreciation.
At the end of five minutes he said he be-
lieyed she would suit his friends, and that
be would pay her passage out to Odessa.
proyiding-and he did not doubt that it
would be the case-each found the others
references satisfactory
Il Will give you Ill this time tomorrow
to consider the matter and make such in
quiries as you think proper" he said, in
conclusion.
Anyhow. I suppose ! need not start for
a week or two?" she asked. Il should like
a little while in which to take leave of my
friends"
Naturally you would" lie answered,
kindly. There is no immediate hurry. \
fortnight hence would suit the Petrowichs
very well. I've no doubt"
The next afternoon, having perfectly sat
isfied herself in the interim anent the re-
spectabillty of her future employers. she
went TO keep her appointment with Mr..
hanseTUT.
He was not alone to-day. Another man
was In the room, younger man, who was
seated at writug-table strewn with papers.
and who merely glanced up and bowed as
she entered, aud then paid no more atten-
tion TO her.
Kanseroff rose courteously, shook hands
and asked her 10 sit down.
Well Miss PentTeatD." he said, 'and
have you decided to 20 to Russia|
Yes" she answered simply.
as she spoke she was conscious that the
strangeT-his interest suddenly awakened
had turned his head and was looking at her
earnestly. The keen scrutiny rendered her
somewhat uncomfortable.
He said something rapidly TO his friend In
Russian. From the note of inquiry in his
voice, and the mention of her own name
ana that Of Petrowitch in the reply, she
guessed correctly that he had asked who
size was.
IL the ensuing few minutes, while she
discussed business matters and settled the
date Of her departure, she was sensible OF
the fact that every word she uttered was
being absorbed and criticized by the man
at the other eud Of the room, and that all
his eyes never left her face.
When at length she rose to go he called
Kanser0ff aside, and the latter left the girl
with a brief apology and request that she
would remain a moment
The two men talked eagerly, eXCitedly;
but Ii was the stranger who was having
most Of the say. She could not understand
them, Of course. It appeared to her, how
ever, that he was making some proposal Of
which hanseron did not approve. at last
LID III /
shrugged his shoulders, remaTking in Eng
lisb:
well, have your own way. But you
must make your own arrangements; /
shan't interfere"
The younger man turned abruptly to
Cecil, who had been watching the little
scene with natural curiosity.
S50OO?"
a rush of colcr flushed CeciPs cheeks.
'Ah-yee," she said with a little gasp in
could l make So much?"
Very simply. BY leaving England in
two days instead oil two weeks and taking
a iIltle packet OF papers with yOu-a little
packet that is Of such great Importance to
my family that | do NOT care to transmit it
IL the ordinary way through the post"
The gins clear eyes met the mans, be-
wildered, questioning. Then sudden
light dawned upon her; his motive became
clear.
oh" she cried, and her breath came and
went rapidly, lin plain words, sir, you want
me to snugEle papers into Russia which
would get me into trouble were they dis
covered by the policeP'
YES"
Then I must decline; it would be
wrong"
"On the contrary" he said quickly, at
would be right. You might even be the
means OF saving life"
His tone and manner were earnest.
Whether he were speaking the truth or
whether this earnestness was merely as
sumed to convince her, il was difficult to
say. but tie girl was satisfied
May ask why you have chosen me for
this wo ?"
''First, because you are going TO the coun.
try anyhow; secondly, and chiefly. because
you are foreigner and mere girl You
would pass unheeded, unsupported, where
others would not-that is 10 say, If you can
keep your self-possession when It is needed,
and l think you can, for though you are so
young you haye nerve, character-you are
TO be trusted"
She did not speak for a moment, but
thought deeply and rapidly, with her gaze
upon the floor.
Woman-like she shrank at the idea Of
danger and was about TO refuse; then she
thrust all thoughts of self aside and only
remem bered her mother, her sister, the
man she loved, and what such a sum Of
money could do for them, and held her
tongue.
"Give me $4,000 and will do it."
you know how TO ask, Miss Pentreath."
u won't jeopaTdize my safety for less,"
she said firmly. III l were alone in tie
world l should refuse altogether: but
want the money for the sake of those who
are very dear 10 me-"
VERY we'll" lie answered, after pause,
you shall have your $4,000 directly | re-
eeive advice that you have fulfilled your
part of the contract. l will give you the
papers the morning you sail.
when you arrive you must wear a white
rose; an imitation one will do very well.
Your responsibility will cease and your re-
ward will be won when you have delivered
the packet safely into the hands of a man
with a similar flower pinned in his coat,
who will cOntriVe to ask yOu-hoW. when
or where l cannot tell you-for the present
from his friend in London"
Two days later Cecil found herself on the
deck Of an outward bound steamer, the part
ing over, the voyage begun.
On the ship the time seemed endless to
her and she could settle to nothing. Every
day seemed week. She was in fever Of
Impotence 10 reach her destination and get
the critical period over. Yet such is human
nature, when she was told by fellow pas
seDger that they would arrive the next
morning she would have given as much to
retard their progress as previously she would
have given to accelerate it.
She was awakened about 8 O'Clock In the
morning by the sudden cessation OF the
accustomed motion as the Korniloff came
to a standsull beside the quay at Odessa.
Already the deck was strewn with lug
gage, crowded with passengers, and in a
wild state Of coInmOtion. Officials in uni
form were affixing large seals TO all trunks
and packages, large and small, prior to
despatchug them to the custom-h house to be
opened and searched.
Other officials were scanning every hole
and corner OF the steamer itself, and one
stood in the gangway apparently to prevent
any one from going ashore.
do they always search the ship like
this?" asked Cecil OF one of the officers,
with whom she had grown friendly during
the voyage.
mo; it isn't usual. You see they are
on the alert just now to stop certain papers
getting into the country. The passengers
some OF them, at least-will very likely be
searched, too. Nobody has been allowed to
land yet"