Evening star., 1899-07-29
CHAPTER NV.
Half n Promise.

CHAPTER NV.
Half Promise.
Ten minutes later big emblazoned foot
man brought RaIlywood a summons from
the countess. as he stood talking to Coun-
sellor and the Russian attache-
As he moved away BIivinski placed a
bony impressive finger on Counsellor's
sleeve
II he We're not English you could not
trust him" he said. enfgmaticaIly.
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" BIivfnski said
Significantly, but with your nation patriot
ism is Not a virtue; it IS a part of your
physical system. You sacrifice all for your
country. not because it is right to do So.
but simply because you cannot help it; the
good God made YOU so. Therefore this
young man. in face of the supreme tempta-
tioH Of youth. may be trusted. | speak of
these things now because You will remem-
Der in good time that those who are against
you VIII not dare to in5ure"-he removed
the finger 10 his own breast-''us also,''
And the little silent, swaTthy man slipped
away almost before Counsellor realized
that Russia. the mighty. had given him
pledge which might prove Of immense value
il the uncertain future
RalIywo0d found the young countess
crouchInS and Shlvering near a wood ire.
She vas uaguiiuenUy dressed in rich tones
of royal purple that accentuated her deli
cate fairness and beauty. and a small dia-
dem OF lnethysls shOne in the pale gold
Of her hsAir.
She took no notice Of his entrance. though
she was aCuLrly conscious that his eyes
were on her She was hungry Of his gaze
he ft4.T in h4
lDveliness.
Jack" she said at last. come here. !
wonder nov why 1 sent for you, but am
sne looked up at him heavy-lldded
There was concern in his voice he an
sWersd her.
If l told you ALL" she went on, you
would not believe me 1 am nJW-tonight-
II great danger
IN danger? Here? Where you are sur
rounded by friends, replied RaIlywocG, be
ginning 10 wish himself we'll Uut of il. Had
there been 10 Valerie SeIpdOTf or even had
lie not uttered those lmpuIsive words which,
l. his mind, changed mis- position from the
indefinite To the definite the history of his
life might have been turned into another
channel tHaJ evening. A il was. though
Valerie remained free as the wind he felt
himself 10 be in some vague manner bound
To her.
Nonsense You know how useless ali
these friends would be if things went wrong
with me. They fiatter the Countess Of
9a@e.Il' puN NOT one ol them would make the
smallest sacrifice for Isolde, the woman.
do not know if you. even you, are my
taIheu doIut lt-IoliS ago. but
49, no put you 70 5le Jest ana -
cilen wonder II our friendship sti! remains
alive"
I as I always was" he parried.
wonder II that Is trne?' She raised her
EI0'I''S Ldte asSiLn- uou hAo" now 10
Pretense Of-Of reserve between US? You
reyer tell me your troubles, and l suppose
you nave thrtl' Lihe the rest OF us we
slould De @ 4uIte oio IrlrhdS now. ana YET
Nord-,eogrteous. Are You ever angry. for
example
Very Very often.
L'Il NOT win me anu nave given you
cause many Il tlihe- II you would De angry
ltA me- even once. JACK causelesSly angry.
tHeA Sh"dld Know htd q 1riend 10 Whom
clu-a go II 1 We're IN trpuoie-ln such
uotp!y a7 am LoiiSA,.
II tneFe Is any thl14s can 40 Tor you
Inc quiet tone annoyed hGr- she rose
quickly.
i-lI-H' Any man could Aelp me who
cared
do care
i wonder. she said wiS'fully. how much
you mean of what you say / have no
standard q Judge you by. because you are
not quite like other msn- Bat / owe You
my life. and ] sometimes think II gives me
q claim on YOU
Il can never pretend You owe me anv-
thing. You were quite safe. no accident
could have happened. You are far too
good a h0rsew oman, though you were ner-
Nous FOR the moment" He spoke with a
careless aTrctiunateuess. for the young
countess in her helpless beauty appealed to
him
Look at me- she said tragicaIIy DO I
seem hatefuI?'
'-Yuu are a young queen he paused. and
added. "a young queen-seen In a dream!
You are too ethereal to be Of common
earth
i am of common earth like any other
woman she answered with a forlorn lit