The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-02-10

simultaneously the door leading from the
corridor opened, and man entered, who
went straight up to the lady and began to
talk with much animation. Paul took
up his opera glasses. He was woll built
and tall, with bearing of IA soldier, but
his face bore the impress Of sensual indul-
grrce. Presently lie pressed bell and
gave an order In response to the com
mar d tho servant returned with leather
bound box, which he laid boloIe the gen
tlcman.
The box was oFcncd, and sparkling
ger.s flashed before Paul's eyes rs they
were lifted from their velvet beds. Their
with light laugh the man drew tho girl
nearer 10 Lin and E1Ccct dtd TO unfastel
the pearl collar which WAS IouEd her
throat, REPLACING it by u necklace of Ola
nlonds. On the slender arms ho fitted
bracelets ard placed IA curiously wrought
spray Ct tie SAME magnificent gems o.
the golden hair. His hands fingered over
their task us If he loved it, and while the
gill stood irr:CvaLle in an attitude OF
passive endurance Paul divircd W it'll quick
intuition that she knew it was only to en-
hance the IL ans twn leGsure in the pos.
session of hCI that she was dtckcd in these
rare jewels. A sneering expression passed
over the mans face, and Lie appeared to
utter sCnc UEkind woi Gs for the golden
head dropped.
What is she to him? Daughter? No;
gill would have thanked Ter father for
such jewels. Wife? No, rot that. God
help them! Will women always sell them
seltcs for Wealth.
l'aul was waiting mt his window again
next morning, and presently, when the
window opened, lie leaned forward to at
tract her attention. a moment later "a
pair of stcatliast blue eyes met his in a
long, upward gaze. Yielding to an i'm
pulse, he snGtchCd up the tiny spray OF
lilac that had fallen at his feet two days
before and WIS now withcred and dead.
She smiled, and then, the rem Gmbrance of
an old schoolbUy accomplishment flashing
across his mind, Paul spelled cut Oh his
fingers, Did you send it:" She smiled
and nodded i'll reply. Tell me your
name"
There Was pause, and then half hest
tatingiy the answer came, "A ID Gle,
Adele" Again tho white fingers were
spelling out some words, You--are--my
-friCnd?'
"Ycs-ycs, was the eager answer, and
then Paul lifted the " ii horcd lilac liossom
to his lips, but instead CT the action bring
Ing that rare beautiful smile to her face
she made Il quick impetuouS Lnovem ent rs
If he were 10 throw it away, and holding
up her left hand Touched the third finger
significantly. Then the curtains were
drawn, and Faul saw her no more that
day.
But again the lilac blossoms brought
him Il message, for when he returned in
tho evening it was to find that soi-,e one
had left for him a basket filled with tho
lovely flowers. WAS there any other mes
sage." Paul asked hi:Lse the question
eagerly as no examined it. Yes, deep
down, nesting among the soft green
leaves, was n twisted scroll, which Paul
opened with trembling hands. At last, IL
message from her-from that strange,
beautiful girl between whom and himself
there seemed to be some curious affinity.
All, do not thinl, unkindly of me, monsieur,
because l crave for little sympathy and true
friendship! You cannot realize lUw much
alone l am. There is none 10 wl:om l dare
speak my inncrmost thoughts; no friend to
understand or give lie any sympathy. My
pacents-I dare not, for it is they who have
sold ne-nay, worse, for tfeT imbued me with
the idea that what l did was right and true.
My soul revolts against tie lies which utter
cd ut the altar, and which l must live every
day us long as my life lasts. My husband! ]
shrink from his touch, and yet that is CT utl to
him. Religion might bring me some cCnsUla
ton, but it bids lie honor and love tlGSo who
have made me what am. All my life long
have been surrounded by those who told me
what they deemed expedient-ncvcr.the truth.
l am only weak woman, and somehow i;
comforts me to think you will read these lines
and there will be one in tie world who will
understand. am NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.!
There was no signature. The simple
lines touched Paul and reused every chiv.
alrous instinct in him. Every luxury that
wealth could give her and beauty such
any woman might delight in, and yet
that letter with its pitiful wall of loneli
ness.
All tho brightness and gayety seemed to
have gone, ard the hum from the busy,
merry streets resolved itself into discords
that beat into Iaul's Brain. He felt us il
c nightingale were being disseated EefGr
his very eyes. With a comprehension that
was almost feminine in its insight hG
knew that there was no ultcTior motive
in ECr desire fer sympathy tn; { it WIS Eut
the cry of the would he emancipatcd won.
an longing to break her VOWS and indulej
in 4 vulgar amour.
l. was little time before Paul dared
venture on Il written message to her, al t
then he lad to wait his opportunity IT,
convey 1t to her hands unseen At last
LIZ managed by deXtIously throwing it in
On Ter balcony.
MApAME-I have 20 thank you for your
fGCnc" and for the friendship with which you
have honL:ed lie. These written words car
but inat.eGEately express what eve 10 yGuI
sweet and x SciCus sympathy. NOu have
BROUGHT II rll1.m into ~ life That Il.
distance ca1 Fever ef'Gcc, for The thought ui
you never fails to bring rrie ideals and 10
stir E!y weak efforts TO better erGs.
Ard so for mere than week this
strange friendship held him in It's thralls
But tho inevitable came at last Ore
Ornirg, VIXEN the curtains remained
closed, Paul could give hin self TO res:
from tCrmen;iEe fears. Had they beer
discovered? so far as he knew no Cyi
could CVCrlCcK them frCm the situation o.
tho rooms, but W nc knew what tales spy
might not carry. Hia lie been so careless
Ct her:
1t was late in the evening before he
vcEtCrcd ont, ard then lie took lis way
r0Iat! TO the side Ct the court underneath
the irdows of the suit Of Ioon.E occu-
pied by AGlle and her husband. Thee
vc:e scli:e Ggurcs on the balcony, and
la.:l's breath came quickly as lie Iocog.
niZCG them. Would sho know hin? Yes
a long suede glove dropped at his feet,
uEd almost Immediately Er heard voice
saying, "Joseph, madame has dropped hel
glovc.'s
Paul felt inCiICd to dispute possession
as TIE touch Of he s;rccth scented kid
made itself fclt--a stiff rTStlr-ah, Il pa-
rc--qUick as thought it was in his hard,
and nF,lv iI-SE in hon hn r.,ln
pcarcd with Lis 'lf GU please, monsieur
Paul surrendered it willingly enough
then ard walked on coEgrGtu.ating lin
sell on the narrow escape they lad had
1t was very impruGeEt, and yet he was
glad he had riskCd it. A little dctour
i.rd then he Was in his room again with
tho precious E.iS&ivn.
III, how much pleasure your letter gave ne
yea will scarcely LcliCve, although without
words ! iCit You EICCrStu God! But it OJcnCd
Ely eyes 10 Ike danger for you and also
ard NOW l Ell:!t Lever see you again. Fate is
cruel tor new / must Gcny myself tie soace
of your friendship. TomoI row VIC leave Paris
and believe lie when say that | shall never
forget these Gays l an writing this not
knowing if l shall Lave the opportunity of
placing it in yot:r ha:d. And now, my friend,
the veil Lf silence must fail between Us. You
have given Inc rev courage, ard an no Ion
ger 50 loA,iy- VIII try to he SoCd-l WALL
be roCG-ard perhaps in that would Leyond
we sl.all l:now each o;Ecr again and all will
LIE made perfect. In that hope, my friend.
aGicu, aGicu! ADELE.
One evening in CovCnt Garden theater
five years later Paul locked across ard saw
in box II man whose face Haunted him
with Il curious remembrance. ''Wko is
that, do you know, AnstruthCr:'' lie said
to his friend. IL seem 20 know the face"
THAT man? An imperial Eighness, no
less. The grand duke-he is very fond of
cutting about the world ircosnitu. When
l was in st. Petersburg, l often saw Kim
and his wife, lovely woman, but very