The Portland daily press., 1898-04-28
Chapter xxx.
THE SEAL OF SILENCE.


THE SEAL OF SILENCE.
"No, you must not ask me, for 1 can
not tell you," she faltered, after had
gravely repeated my earnest inquiry. She
shrank from my embrace, and as she
stood before me her handsome head was
bent in all attitude of utter detection.
''Ah, the same lame story" cried i'm
patiently, "You refuse"
She raised her sad eyes. saw in their
clear depths yearning for pity.
81 dare not tell you yet, Godfrey she
Whispered, in strained terrified voice.
sYou know we'll how much keen anxi-
ETY. the loss of that document caused me, -
/ said. "Why did you not tell me that 1t
was in your keeping?'
cit was not in my keeping" she pro-
tested. 81 recovered it only a few days
before we parted.
but you knew something of its where
aboutS " j argued.
81 was not certain she vaguely re.
piled. her slim fingers picking at the
bands of pearl passementerie across the
fimsy chiffon of her bodice.
With an expression of disbelief I turned
from her.
"Ah, Godfrey" she cried, wildly, 81
am fully conscious of what your thoughts
must be. Now that you have discovered
my true position, that I am "a Russian,
you believe had a hand in the theft
of the Anglo German Convention; that
by my Vaccinations its text was trans
United to Petersburg-eh?'
No answer passed my lips, but I think
bowed my head in confirmation of her
fevered words.
Well, it is untrue, as you will learn
some day. 1t is untrue, swear" she
exclaimed with terrible earnestness.
Instead Of endeavoring to bring suspic-
ion and opprobrium upon you, and disas
ter upon the nations of Europe, have
striven both..night and day to clear away
the i'll effect produced by the bastard
revelations made to our ministry in
Petersburg. Remember that the single
spark required to fire the mine and con.
vulse the world from Calais to Pekin was
not applied the Gar refrained from de-
claring war. Some day you, and through
you, the British Government will know
the reason a recourse to arms was averted
When you are made aware of the truth
then no longer will you misjudge me-
She spoke with q feryency that was en-.
mine with unwavering glance. and with
a quick movement she had placed one
hand upon her breast as If to allay the
palpitation there. Her heart WAS full
upon her fair face was an expression OF
mingled anxiety and dread, and her be-
jeweled hands trembled.
81 am your husband" said calmly.
I may know your secret, whatever 1t may
be-"
'No," she answered, speaking almost
mechanically. 81 dare not tell you any
thing at present. 1t would be fatal to
all my plans-fatal to me, and to You. -
with some warmth. Mystery seems one
of your idiosyncrasies.
"Ah," she sighed, advancing q step
towards me, her head sunk upon her
breast. sit is imperative. You cannot
know how 1 have suffered, Godfrey, ever
since we met. Long ago at the Nook,
fearing that should bring you unhappi-
ness, l strore to tear myself away from
you ard return to this life, but was un-
able. loved you, and hated all the strict
etiquette and theatrical display with which
] am bound to surround myself, merely
because l chance to be born. of an Impair
iai family. 1 married you, and content
in the knowledge that you loved me de-
votedly l was prepared to renounce my
name and live quietly with you always.
But. alas! we of the Romanoffs are ruled
by the head of our house and our &C.
lions are oft-times in obedience to the
will of the Emperor. was compelled to
depart without revealing to you the secret
of my BIRTH"
''But why did you masquerade in that
manner" I inquired. CAT first did
SO in order to avoid all the trammels Of
Court life iD Petersburg, the eternal
gaiety of la Vile Lumiere, and be free
10 do what liked and go where chose.
she answered. "Soon, however, my life
as Ella Laing became a stern reality. foa
= I met and loved you."
Then you regretted9"
81 regretted only because feared that
cared for you too much-that one day
we should be compelled to part"
"You knew that it was impossible fcl
- A-4I -
hazarded, looking at her graveiy.
81 feared that my family would NOT
allow me to do SO. :" she answered. frank
ly. "Yet you proposed marriage; We be-
came man and wife, and the first weeks
of our new life were full of joy and happi.
ness. Soon, however, the Nemesis that
II dreaded fell upon me crushing all desire
for life from out Of my heart. was com.
PEELED to fly and leave you in ignorance. -
"And you forgot that in your escritoire
there remained the stolen agreement?'
said slowly, looking straight into her pale
face.
Eyes, admit it, she replied. in q
voice almost insudibls, her dry lips NOV:
ing convulsiveiy. $50 full was my mind
i, of thoughts Of you that I did not re-
:, member it until too late to return and
secure it.
'The woman who passed as Mrs Laine
was NOT of course, your motherS"
"She was no relation whatever. paid
her to pose as my maternal relative and
keep house for me-
"Where Is she now2''
TT have no idea," my wife answered.
"She was curious woman, and strangely
enough she left London suddenly, on the
very morning of the day OF my depar-
ture.e
'tAnd what of Beok?" ! asked. "Did
- know who you really weref'
Scarcely" she exclaimed. "Do you
~ z ~ w Xy7l