The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-30
CHAPTER XIV.

Countsss MS he stood talking to Counsellor
AMI tho Russian attache.
AZ h. moved away Blivinski placed bony.
,,nr.,stye finger on Councillors sleeve.
"r, h. were not English you could not trust
him" he said systematically.
councillor raised his bushy eyebrows with Q
humorou. glance We have had our day"
",h. my friend. you'know most things. Also
Itnow very lew" Blivinski said significantly.
.but with your nation patriotism Is not a vir-
ms II s A part OF your physical system. You
sorrt,,re all for your country. not because 1t 10
RIGHT to do So but amply because YOU cannot
holm II. the good God made you so. There
Tara This Young man. ia face Of the supreme
,emutation Of youth. may be trusted. speak
NJ ths.a things now because you will remem-
her In good time that those who are against
YOU will not dare to injure"-he removed tho
finger to his own brcast-'us also!'
Ard tho little. silent. swarthy man slipped
away almost before Counsellor realized that
Russia. the mighty. had given him pledge
vhich might prove OF in mense value in the
uncertain future.
R,llvvood found the young Countess crouch
ing and shivering near wood FIRE. She was
nagnifcently dressed In rich tones OF royal
purpe that aocentuated:her delicate fairness
and beauty. aud a small diadem OF amethysts
ehOns In the pale Eolu OF ner nhlr
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. won
der now why sent for you. but l am miser-
able"
She looked up with heavy lidded eyes.
There was concern In his voice az he an
swered her.
III told you ALL" she went on. you would
not believe me. am noE-to. night-in great
danger"
IN danger? Here? Where you are sur
rounded by trlends2" replied Hollywood. be-
ginning to wish himself we'll out OF 1t. Had
there been no Valerie Selpdorf or even had he
not uttered those i'm pulsive words which. to
his mind. changed his position from the indeh-
mite 10 the definite. the history OF his life
might have been turned into another channel
that evening. As It was. though Valerie re-
NAMED free as the wind. he felt himself to be
In some vague manner bound to her.
"Nonsenssl You know how useless all these
friends would be II things went wrong with
me. They Halter the Countess OF SaGnn. but
not one Of Thorn would make the smallest sac
rlnce for Isolde. the woman. do not know II
you. even you. are my friend. We talked about
it-long ago. But I have not put you to the
test and II often wonder II our friendship
still remains alive"
Il am as | always was" he parried.
Il wonder II that is true?" She raised her
drooping face again. Il don't know how to
believe you Why will you keep up this pre-
tencs OF of reserve between us2 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 hssitated for q word-"courteous Are
you ever angry. for example?"
Very often"
But not with me- and I have given you
cause many a time II you would be angry
with me even once. Jack, causelessly angry,
then should know had friend to whom I
could go II l were In trouble-in such trouble
as am to- night"
If there is anything can do for you"-
The quiet tone annoyed her. She rose
quickly
"lf-it-if! Any man could help me who
cared"
Il do care"
Il wonder" she said wistfully. "how nuch
You mean Of what you say. l have no stand
ard to Judge you BY. because you are not
quite like other men. But owe you my life.
and | sometimes think it gives me . claim on
you
I can never pretend you o We me ANYTHING
you were quite safe: no accident could have
happened. You are far too good q horsewo-
man, though you were nervous for the mo-
ment" He spoke with careless Affection
atene's, for the young Countess in her helpless
beauty appealed to him.
Look at mel" she said tragically. DO
seem hateful?"
You are n young queen" he paused. and
added a young queen seen in dream! You
are too ethereal 10 be Of common earth"
am OF common earth like any other we
man she answered with a forlorn little smile
i can be afraid and-I can lovo!"
Afraid In your own castle. among your
own reopleY"
Yes, Jack. Don't think I an silly 1t ID
quite true You say you have not changed
that YOU are still my friend. You are my
only one, thenl / must look TO you for pro-
lection; have no one else In the whole world
she was very near him. her little cold hand had
caught his in her vehemencs: she looked ap-
prehensively bAhiAd her. and then spoke low
In his ear; II am afraid Of my husband. He
wishes to be rid'ot mel have seen 1t In his
eyes, Sagan will kin mel Do you remember
the night OF the ball. when I gave you the nre-
NY Haveyou kept It. l wonder2 said mins
would oe short life 1t is true. Sagan ID
"iou vi mo, ana Jack, l-loathe MN.
But Rally wood began.
You don't believe me9 See thisl" she
pushed back band OF black velvet from her
Arm and held 1t out to him. This touched him
more than all the slender. blue-velnod wrist
with the marks OF those cruel fingers claspOd
ABOUT 1t moved him far more than the tempta-
uohs OF her delicate beauty, With an almost
Involuntary desire to comfort her as ona might
comfort and please child. he bent above hel
mana and kissed the'bruises.
Isolde chung to him with quick sob OF relief
Promise me, Jack. that you will save me
when danger threatens me will send for you
lou will come? You promise?"
Nut hollywood was not In the least In love
win Mme de SaGan for all his pity. He was
again master Of himself and an odd uSpicion
flashed across him.
iesl certain you are mistaken" he re-
p'ated; but you have another friend who car
l" Of more service than Just now. Mile. Selp
dorf"
The Countess sank back into her chair.
What do you know OF Valeris?" she asked
Ooldly
Very little. but
2hanksI l know her better than you do