The Portland daily press., 1898-04-09

document has been stoIen?" I asked
quickly, my mind at once filled with sus.
picion. The fact that tbs girl was a Rus
sian was, in itself, sufficient to Mace me
at once upon my guard.
I..haye hoard so, :" she answered with a
mysterious smile.
7'Well, and what do you allege?'' I in
ouired, keeping my eyes fixed upon her
"AIlege!' she cried, why nothing.
I have merely asked you a simple cues
ton, whether you are aware of the past
of Ella Laing, and you have not an
swered. You are SILENT
~ know sufficient of her past to love
her F." I answered, determined that the
words of this strange hammered girl
should not arouse greater suspicion than
that which already dWelt in my mind.
"Love her Bah You will hats her
when you learn the TRUTH" sns cried with
u gesture of disgust.
"Then tell me, - I cried impatiently.
"Why should hate her?"
"No, y she said, slowly, shaking her
head, and slightly raising her shoulders.
II make no reflections. If you love her
well, | suppose, you desire that your fool s
paradise should last az long as possible. I"
my FOOLS paradise, as you term it,
will, 1 trust, last always l said resent
fully, for her manner had suddenly
changed, and she treated me reproachfully
with familiarity that was as surprising
as it was annoying.
"AIas, not always, fear" she smiled,
as if plying my simplicity. Your pres
emit paradise will soon be veritable
hell. -
"You speak candidly, at least" I said,
angered at her words. But did not
call here to listen to libellous allegations
of which there are no proofs. -
"No proofs?" she echoed. "Ah, do not
be so confident, N sieur. You have no
knowledge of the character of the woman
you love, or you would not say this. do
not wish you to follow my advice; I do
only warn you because you have been my
best friend,'' and she gaZed straight Into
nv eyes with an earneStnesS that swaS in
tense.
"You warn me. OF whatP''
''Of Ella, the woman who has appar-
emily fascinated you as she has done
Others and she sighed, as if memories
were painful.
"a pretty woman may often uncon-
sciously fascinate many men before meet
ing the man she marries,'' | said as calm
ly as I could.
"Unconsciously, yes,' she answered
But there are some who use the beauty
that their Maker has bestowed upon them
to lure their victims to their doom.
"You anticipate 1 am doomed, then?''
I laughed.
She regarded me gravely for an instant,
then said in a voice quiet and low:
81 do not think, [ know. The nnysteri-
Gus death that overlook your friend Dlld-
ley Ogle should have overtaken you in
stead. But for an amazing coincid3n,
by which your life was saved and -
taken, you would, ere this, have bseii
i'll your grave.
"And my assassin would have been the
woman I love, I suppose you are going to
tell me2" / observed amused at her melo-
dramatic manner and the absurdity of
the idea.
"No,I leave you to discover the truth, -
she answered, arching her dark brows, a
shadow of annoyance crossing her refined
features at that moment.
s'You are apparently we'll acquainted
with Miss Laing,'' said, after long
pause.
IT know her." she admitted abruptly.
"Then, as 1 refuse to listen further
to any charges against her of which you
can give me no confederation, it may be
best for me to bring her here to hear your
even at the risk of creating a
scene. You said you intended to render
me service, and by facing her, you
can"
NO, no, SIG crieu, ouuueniy Jumping
from her chair and laying her hand upon
my arm in her earnestness. "She does
not know I am in London; she must
never know, otherwise our plans will be
spoilt. Do not mention my name TO her;
now promise me.'' she implored with
earnestness. "Promise me, and l will
render you the assistance you will require
ere long. The secret knowledge | possess
enables me to give you warning. ..Remem-
Der that what I have said is between one
friend and another
(To be oontinued.)