The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-30
CHAPTER XIV.
Half a Promise.

Half a Promise.
Ten minutes later a big emblazoned
footman brought Hollywood a sum-
mons from the countess, as he stood
talking to Counsellor and the Russian
attache.
AS he moved away Blivinsh placed a
bony, impressive finger on Counsellor's
sleeve.
IF he were not English, you could
not trust him. he said, systematically.
Counsellor raised his bushy eyebrows
with a humorous glance. I'VE have
had our day."
''Ah, my friend, you know most
things. Also l know a very few" BIZ
vinsk said, significantly, but with
your nation patriotism is not a virtue;
it is a part of your physical system.
You sacrifice all for your country, not
because you cannot help it; the good
God made you SO. Therefore, this young
man, in face of the supreme temptation
of youth, may be trusted. l speak of
these things now because you will re-
nnember in good time that those who
are against you will not dare to injure'
he removed the finger TO his own
breast3"us alohe''
And the little silent, swarthv man
realized that Russia, the mighty, had
given him a pledge which might prove
of immense value in the uncertain fu-
ture-
Hollywood found the young countess
crouching and shivering near a wood
fire. She was magnificently dressed in
rich tones of royal purple that accen-
tuated her delicate fairness and beauty,
and a small diadem of amethysts shone
in the pale gold of her hair
She took no notice of his entrance,
though she was acutely conscious that
his eyes were on her. She was hungry
of his gaze. and she believed in the
power of her own loveliness.
Jack she said at last, come here.
wonder now why 1 sent for you, but
am miserable"
She looked up at him heavy-lidded.
There was concern in his voice as he
answered her.
If l told you ALL she went on, you
would not believe me. I am now-to-
night-in great danger"
In danger? Here? Where you are
surrounded by friends" replied Rally
wood, beginning to wish himself well
out of it. Had there been no Valerie
Selpdorf, or even had he not uttered
those impulsive words which, to his
mind, changed his position from the in
definite to the definite, the history of
his life might have been turned into
another channel that evening. As it
was, though Valerie remained free
as the wind, he felt himself TO be in
some vague manner bound TO her.
''Nonsensei You know how useless
all these friends would be If things
went wrong with me. They f1atter the
Countess of Sagan, but not one of them
would make the smallest sacrifice for
Isolde, the woman. L do not know if
E,-s- IL
talked about it-long ago. But l have !
not put you to the test, and II often !
wonder if our friendship still remains |
alive"
Il am as I always was" he PARTED.
Il wonder if that is true?" She raised |
her dropping face again I don't know !
how TO believe you. Why will you keep |
up this pretense of-of reserve between |
us? You never tell me your troubles, !
and suppose you have them, like the |
rest of US We should be quite old /
friends now, and yet you are always !
so'-she hesitateu for a word-'cour-
teous. Are you ever angry, for ex-
ample?"
''Very often"
But not with me, and I have given
you cause many a time. If you would /
be angry with me even once, Jack, |
angry, then 1 should know |
| had a friend to whom l could go if I |
we're in trouble-in such trouble as I /
am tonight"
IF there is anything I can do for
you
The quiet tone annoyed her. She
rose quickly.
''If-if-if! Any man could help me
Nho-cared."
Il do care"
Il wonder" she said wistfully, 'how
much you mean of what you say. 1
nave no standard to judge you by, be-
;ause you are not quite like other men.
But owe you my life. and 1 sometimes
.hink il gives me a claim on you"
Il can never pretend you owe me
lnything; you were quite safe; no ac-
,ident could have happened You are
ar too good a horsewonan, though you
we're nervous for the moment" He
spoke with a careless affectionateness,
or the young countess in her helpless
beauty appealed to him.
Look al mel" she said, tragically;
do l seem hateful?"
You are a young queen" He paused
md added: "A young queen-seen in
dreaml You are too ethereal to be
# common earth"
II am of common earth, like any
ther woman" she answered with a
orlorn little smile. Il can be afraid
nd can lovei"
our own people?'
YES, Jack. Don't think 1 am silly.
{ is quite true. You say you have not
hanged; that you are still my friend.
'ou are my only one, then, I must
Ook TO you for protection; I have no
ne else in the whole world" She
vas very near him, her little cold hand
ad caught his in her vehemence; she
loked apprehensively behind her. and
hen spoke low in his ear: Il am ;
fraid of my husband He wishes TO
e rid of mel have seen it in his eyes. I
agan will kill mel Do you remember :
he night of the ball, when 1 gave you (
he FREELY? Have you kept it, 1 won
er? | said mine would be a short ! {
fe. It is true. Sagan is tired of me
nd Jack, I-loathe him," I
But RalIywood began. {
you don't believe me? See this," S
he pushed back a band of black vel {
ct from her arm, and held it out to
i'm. This touched him more than all: ]
ne slender, blue-veined wrist, with the !
larks of those cruel fingers clasped !
bout it, moved him far more than the
of her delicate beauty. I
18th an almost involuntary desire to I