The Penn's Grove record., 1894-04-13

2S@ majority of his well
educated companions.
When Cecil Pentreath, with outward
composurc and inward tribulation, was
shown into his private sitting loom at
the Laugham 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 l need not start
for a week or two?" she asked. ~
should like a little while in which tc
take leave of my friends"
"Naturally you would" he answered
kindly. "Incre is no immediate hurry.
A fortnight hence would suit the Petro.
witches very well, I've no doubt"
The next afternoon, having perfectly
satisfied helseli in the interim anent the
responsibility of her future employers,
She went to keep her appointment with
Mr.. Kanseroff.
He was not alone to-day. Another
man was in the room, a younger man,
WAC was seated at a writing table strewn
with papers, and who merely glanced up
and bowed as she entered, and then paid
no more attention to her.
KaGserolf rose courteously, shook
hands end asked her to sit down.
"Wcll, Miss PentrCath," he said, "and
have you decided to 20 to Russia2"
"Ies," she answered, simply.
As she spoke she was conscious that
the stranger-his interest suddenly
awakened-had turned his head, and
was looking at her earnestly; the keen
scrutiny rendered her somewhat uncom.
Portable.
He said something rapidly to his
friend iii Russian. From the note OF in.
curry 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 ut
tered was being absorbed and criticized
by the man at the other end of the roon,
and that all the time he was watching
her closely-that his eyes never left her
face.
When at length she rose to go he called
Kanseroff aside, and the latter left the
girl with a brief apology and a request
that she would remain a moment.
The W men talked eagerly, excitcdly;
but it was the stranger who was havtu.
most of the say. She could not under-
stand them, of course. 1t appeared to
her, however, that he was making some
proposal Of which Kanseroff did not ap.
prove. At last the elder gave in, but
half convinced and shrugged bis
shoulders, rcmarking III English.
"Well, have yonr own way. But you
must make your own arrar gements; |
Ihan't interfere"
The younger man turned abruptly -
Cecil, who had been watching the little
Icene with natural curiosity.
''Miss Pontreath, would you like to
earn $50002"
A rush of color flushed Cecil's checks.
"Ah-yes," she said, with q little
gasp in her voice. "But why. do you
nk meG How could l could | make so
nuch2"
"Very simply. BY leaving England +
IN two days instead Of two weeks, aud
iaking a little packet of papers with
Fou-a little packet that is of such
great importance to my family that !
10 not care to transmit it in the ordin-
Try way, through the post"
The girls clear eyes met the mans
bewildered questioning, Then a sud-
den hight dawned upon her; his motive
became clear.
"Oh,".she cried, and her breath came
and went rapidly; sin plain words, sir,
you want me to smuggle papers into
which would get me into trouble
were they discovered by the policc}"
4 eyes"
: "Yhen I must decline; it would be
wrong"
''on the contrary" he said quickly,
'ft would be right. You might even
be the means Of saving a life"
His tone and manner were earnest.
Whether he was speaking the trutl or
Vhether this carnestness was merely as
tumei to convince her it was difficult to
ay, but the girl was satisfied.
MAY l ask why you have chosen me
or this WORK."
"First, because you are going to the
country anyhow; secondly, and chiefly,
because you are a foreigner aud q mere
sirl. You will pass unheelei, uusus.
,ectcd, where others would not - that is
o say, ii you can keep your selt-p1sses.
ion when it is needed, and / think you
AN, for, though you are so young, you
nerve, character-you are to be
rusted."
She did not speak for moment, bu
honsht deeply and rapidly, with her
;aAe upon the door.
Noman-li6e, She shrank at the idea oil
aud was about to refuse; then
he thrust all thought OF self aside, and
July remember her mother, her sister,
he man she loyei, and what sucl a sum
II money could do for them, all held
,cr tongue.
"Giye ne $40, 900 and I will do it,
"Yol know how to as, Miss Pent.
~
II won't jsoparais. my safety for
she kaid aTnlYANNI Wszs slons |