The Portland daily press., 1898-10-21

may never be solved.
'Cnless the crime is brought home to
the assassin by some unexpected means.
"Of course, of course" he answered.
YOU'RE a COMPOUNDED fool to remain
down in that wretched, dismal hole,
BROKER, How you can stand 1t after
what you've been used to L really can't
think.
bucolic," he assured his companion,
laughing a tri1e bitterly. "The few
pounds I've still got suffice to keep up the
half-pay wheeze, and although Pm in a
chronic state of hard-up, yet manage to
rub along somehow and just pay the
butcher and baker. Hang it Why I'm
SO Internally respectable that a chap came
which he wanted me to declare my in
come. Fancy me paying an income-taxi"
The Prince laughed at his friends grim
humour. In the old days at Monte Carlo
Erie BROKER had been full of fun. He
was the life and soul of the Hotel de
Paris. No reverse ever struck him seri-
ously, for he would laugh when "broke"
bulky with greasy bank notes he would
descend the steps from the Casino. and
crack bottle of "fzz" at the Cafe oppo-
site.
"If were you I'd declare my income
at eight hundred year, pay up. and look
big" Zertho laughed. "It would inspire
confidence, and you could get a bit OF
exhausted clear out"
''Ths old game, Ell? No, I'm straight
now the other answered, his face sud.
denly growing grave.
"Honesty Is starvation. That used to
be our motto, didn't it? Yet here you are
with only just enough to keep a roof over
your head, living In q dreary out-of-the-
hal and a q tho modal fRftAaT
The things too absurd
II don't see it. Surely can please my
selfP"
"Of course. But is II just to Lianef"
"Mhat do you meanr
sit is essential for young girl of her
temperament to have life and gaiety,"
he said, exhibiting his palms with a
tating in Start1eld Mortimer, amid sur.
roundings which must necessarily possess
exceedingly painful memories, she will
soon beoome prematurely old. It's moth
ing short of an Internal shame that she
should be allowed to remain there"
than one occasion lately reflected that
change of surroundings would do her
good, for he had noticed with no little
alarm how highly strung had been her
nerves of late, and how pale and wan
were her ohseks. Zertho spoke the truth.
ST don't deny that what you say 10
correct" he replied thoughtfully. but
can one have life without either money
or friends?"
sEaaily enough. Both you and Liane
know the Riviera we'll enough to find
plenty of amusement there.
''No, she wouldn't 60. She hates it. /"
''Bah |" cried the Prince, impatiently.
"If, as you say, she's turned bit relig-
L. So urdo ho al 70 oc
altogether dreadful. But you can easily
overcome those prejudices-or I will. "
"How?"
"In December I'm going to Nice for
the season." Zertho explained. "We shall
have plenty of fun there, so at my ex-
pense you'll come"
81 think not" was the brief reply.
s'My dear fellow, why not?' he cried.
"Surely you ::can have no qualms about
accepting my hospitality. You will re-
member that when 1 was laid up with
typhoid in Ostend live for months on
your generosity. And heaven knows, you
had then but little to spared 1t is my in
tention now to recompensesyou."
"And to endeavour to win Liane's
love-" added the Captain, curtly.
2 ertho's brows narrowed slightly. He
paused, gazing at the fine diamond gilt
tering upon his white finger.
s"Well, yes" he answered at last. II
don't see why there should be anything
underhand between u.s."
81 gave you my answer when you came
down to Stratfield Mortimer" the other
responded in harsh, dry tone, rising
slowly. ST still adhere to my decision. F."
"Why?' protested his whi10m partner,
looking up at him intently and sticking
his hands into his pockets in lazy, in
dolent attitude.
because I'm confident she will never
marry you"
"Has she lovers'
His companion gave an affirmative nod.
Zertho frowned and bit his lip.
"Who Is hsS' he asked. "Some I'M
couth countryman or other, I'll be
bound"
"The son of Sir John Stratfeld."
The Prince sprang to his feet and faced
his visitor with a look of amazement.
"Sir Johns son! Neverl" he gasped.
"fes. Strange how such unexpected
events OCCUR, isn't itP' Brooker observed
slowly, with emphasis.
"But, my dear fellow, you can't allow
1T. You must not he cried wildly.
"I've already told her that marriage is
entirely out Of the question. Yet she will
ing the mousUache which he kept as we'll
trained now as in the days when he rode
at head of his troops on Hounslow Heath
and was the pet of certain Lond on draw
ing-rooms.
'fThen take her abroad, so that they
cannot meet. Come to Nice in Deem
her,"
81 am to bring he, go that you may
endeavour to take George Stratfield's place
in her HEARTFELT" observed the Captain
shrewdly.
"Marr iage with George" Stratdeld is
agreed between us both to be impossible.
whereas marriage with me is not improba-
BILE. =" was the reply.
Erie BROKER shrugged his shoulders as
he again pulled vigorously at his cigar.
He now saw plainly Zertho's object in
asking him to call.
"Well," continued his friend. "Even
I, with all my faults, am preferable to
any Stratfeld as Liane's husband, am 1
notp"
ST don't see why we need discuss it fur
ther," said BROKER quietly. "Liane will
never become Princess d 'Auzac."
"Will you allow me. to pay my attentions
to her?'
IF you are together cannot prevent 1t,
Zertho. But. can idly speaking, you are
not the man would choose as husband
for my daughter"
ST know I'm not, oldssfellow, - the other
Ia IL