The Portland daily press., 1898-04-28
BY WILLIAM LIE QUEUx,


| think he could have kept to himself the
knowledge that 1 was the relative of the
Gar. Why, such a man would have re1at
ed the fact that he knew me, and dired
at our house, to every member of his clut
within twenty -four hours. You know, as
well as do, how he simply adores any
| body with title. 1t is the same with NJ
tbs newly wealthy crowd, who are strug
Cling to get into society,"
1t was upon my tongue to explain tc
her the truth regarding the manservant
who passed as Helmholf; nevertheless, ]
hesitated to do SO at the present time be.
cause of my promise to Paul Verblioudo.
witch. The silence between US was pro.
tracted. She had covered her tear-stafned
face with her hands, and the silence was
broken only by her sobs.
Nevertheless, was not moved with
pity. Her determination to preserve bel
secret filled me with annoyance. l had ex
| pected her to make confession, but
plainly saw she had no intention of re-
vealiug the truth.
| why did you associate with woman
OF such doubtful reputation as Sonia
, Korolenko?" l asked abruptly, at last,
! Because wished to ascertain some
thing" she replied, in harsh voice.
| ''She is scarcely your friend" I OBJ
served.
"She u.s." she declared. ST have known
her for several years.
"And you were actually aware of her
| true character while associating with
herp' exclaimed, rather surprised
| "Of course" she sighed. 'tShe is an adj
ventures, know; nevertheless, she has
proved my friend on many occasions
"That's curious" remarked.
"Why?"
Because she made certain allegations
against you,'' answered.
| Il i
either anger or surprise II am fully
aware of that. Strange though it may
appear, her statements were made with 8
definite object
"Why did she utter such unfounded
calumnies?"
Because I wished to see whether yor
really loved me-, she answered, drawing
herself up and regarding me with sud
den calmness. At that moment she as
sumed the air of the Grand Duchess.
| II did love you.' declared, 'sand. tool
no heed of her assertions. notice, how
ever" 1 added, turning and pointing
toward the piano, 81 notice that yor
have placed in position of conspicuous
ness the portrait of the man she declared
was your lover. Side by side you have
placed the pictures of betrayer and be-
trayed.
She held her breath, gazing across tt
the spot 1 had indicated. Then, in 8
| voice full OF emotion, she said:
You were foully betrayed, Godfrey, il
is true, but the evil that was done has
now been eradicatal."
death penalty, eh9'I observed, with g
grim expression of satisfaction.
mo, no, not that, she protested seri.
ously. 81 mean that the strained relations
between your countrymem and mine have
now been readjusted, and that a feeling
| more amicable than before prevails. Ever
| the Earl of Warnham must admit the
plain truth that no power joins another
| in war unless it sees its own interest in
SO doing. Russia now, as before the
etfusion Of hearts here in Paris, will at.
| tend to her own business, and will not
send her Black Sea and Baltic Fleets
flying out unless her interests bring he,
into collision with your British Govern
/ ment-and then it may happen it will
not be the interest of France to fight. In
the latter days of Louis Philippe there
was talk of a Fran Russian alliance,
and there were people who knew-they
did not think they know on the best au.
thority-that the two would be one next
spring. Yet Louis Philippe went over to
your England an exile by the useful name
OF Smith. and before long France and
England were allied in war against my
country. No, good counsel has prevailed,
| and by the very revelation of the secret
alliance contracted between England and
Germany European peace has been So.
| cured. -
"You talk like diplomatist," I OBJ
served, rcfoctively.
Sho shrugged her shoulders, and with 6
forced laugh said:
ut is but natural that should take
an interest in the affairs of nations, J
suppose"
"Let us put them aside,' I said. "W,
are not rival dirlomatists, but husband
and wife; we"
Yes. yes" she cried, interrupting. 81
am happy because you are here with me
for so long. See 1 smile and am happy, >
and she gave vent to hollow, discordant
| laugh.
"Happy because you have SO success
fully mystjfied me-" sighed.
No. Happy because l love you, Geoff.
rev." she exclaimed, again throwing hel
arms afectionately about my mack, and
raising her full red lips to mine. "Forgive
me; do say you will forgive me-" she
implored.
How can I ever forget the ingenuity
and deep cunning with which you de-
ceivsd me- said. 81 cannot but recol
lect how on that night al. Gresham House
| GrodekoH congratulated you upon your
marriage, yet how careful he was not te
/ NACSAooo w LILO yOuI lOCJiO1Uys aSdAAy 0f6I
my friend Verblioudovitch must have
known who you really were. Why did be
not tell me?''
Because the staff of the Embassy had
already received strict orders from Peters
burg not to acknowledge me-" she ex
claimed with a smile. Lord Warnhan
fancied he recognized me- and spoke to
the Ambassador; but the latter succeeded
in assuring him that before my marriage
was Ella Laing, and that the GRAND
Dutcheas Elizaveta Nicolayevna was a,
that moment with the Czarina at Tzars
koie Selo. He believed it, and afterwards
| M'sieur Grodekoff ABSURD me that was
| the first occasion he had been enabled tt
successfully deceive your lynx-eyed For
eign Minister
| ''You feared that the Earl might recog
nize you," | exclaimed, surprised, for
now remembered the effect produced or
my chief when his eyes had first faller
upon my wife. "You knew him, then
"Ah, no" she faltered, "well. we wert
not exactly acquainted" and she ap
peared rather confused, thought, for
her cheeks were suffused by the faintest
| suSDicion of q nlueb