The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-30


abroad, people said and Lady Kitty, whose
name had been one time coupled with his
own was still unwedded, although one Of the
most beautiful and popular girls in society.
Yet in spite of what had passed between
them, they continued to meet on the most
cordial terms, for the crush of ballroom or
reception is not the place 20 rail against ones
fate, or recall a bygone dream.
The Duchess of Craymore he avoided as
far possible, for, brraing other things, he
would have been more than human if the
old friendly footing had not become severely
strained. when, as time went on, he saw the
doors now closed to the Foreign Office clerk,
opened to receive the woman who had done
him out of his inheritance. blow that all
the world of society agreed he had taken as
man and a gentleman.
The breach between himself and the duke
had never healed, and it was not long before
he heard the rumors of the domestic infecity
existing between the latter and his duchess
coupled with the name of Captain Trevanion,
at the time the duke yachting in the
Mediterranean, and the duchess performed
the duties of her high station at home.
But to these reports Castlemaine paid little
or no attention, for he had not lived for years
amid the seething whirlpool of society with
out learning the truth of those lines of the
immortal poet: BE she cold as ice or pure
as snow, she shall not escape calumny." Be
sides, his mind occupied with other
things.
In spite of himself, his health had suffered
fall of his brilliant pl respects, while the life
ne led, pursuing the same round at Downing
Street, and constant meetings with the girl
he still passionately loved, let him little
chance Of forgetting either, and to which his
failure in obtaining a post abroad was final
blow
And he had just decided that the best step
possible for himself would be to cut the coun-
try, and take to ranchi1 in California when
ne was one day summon ID to the presence of
Lord Kenton.
The great man greeted him warmly. and
his motive for Castlemaine's attendance was
soon told. He was at loss for a messenger
to start at once for Russia with dispatches
Ihe Foreign and Home Service men were
all on duty. He had himself ascertained that
Castlemaine could be spared In half an
hours time the dispatch would be ready and
passports signed. Was he willing to go?
Castlemaine's face answered for him
The great man smiled, and laid a kindly
hand on his shoulder.
Remember your watchword is Speed
speed, speed An hours delay might be
fatal 1t is an important commission 1 am
giving you, Castlemaine, and may lead to
greater things; but Rome was not built in
day." he laughed pleasantly.
.Castlemaine grasped his hand-he under
stood This was test of his reliability, and
beyond that he had no need to look.
AS he rusbeds1out into Downing Street
piano organ struck up a lively waltz refrain
1t recalled to him what he had forgotten that
nights ball at Lady Livingstons, and the
first waltz with Kitty OShea
At his chambers in Half Moon Street Giulio
Mazetti greeted him with a tiny three-cor-
nered note, and the beautiful smile with
which he always greeted his master.
The latter took the note carelessly, then
his pulses quickened and his color changed
as he recognized the handwriting of the beau
tiful girl who haunted his thoughts both
night and day. Hastily breaking the seal he
perused the scanty lines.
Come to me; shall be at home at five"
the contents ran. "I saw YOU pass TODAY.
you looked ill, unhappy. Have I been cruel
to you? l have been more cruel to myself in
my worldly wisdom, that l have since learned
is the wisdom of fools Need L say more?'
That all; but it was all the world to
him. those lines spoke Volumes
She loved him still; hers had been no girl
ish fancy, changed with changing circum-
stances, such as her outward demeanor had
betrayed. Nay, he knew what that proud
girls feelings must have been, who could
bring herself to pen those lines, and his brain
reeled and his sight swan with an almost
delirious happiness, that. coming so unex-
pectedly, fell powerfully as a blow and he
was obliged to lean on MazettfS shoulder for
support.
I'LL news, signore?' queried the italian re-
garding his master with a face almost as
pale as his own who, making some trif1ing
excuse gave orders for his journey while he
tore the tiny note to fragments, too precious
even to preserve lest it should fall at any
time into hands profane, and flung them into
the waste-paper basket little dreaming that
an hour later that same little note would be
pieoed together in disjointed fragments and
do their fatal work.
Years afterwards Castlemaine wondered
Sometimes was it fate OF chance that made
him in his eagerness to stand by his watch
word commit a little folly, over which an
experienced Queens messenger would have
roared with laughter, that of choosing an ex-
press that gave him scarcely time to make
the necessary arrangements for his journey,
and landed him st Dover two hours and a