The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-05


when he read it he set his teeth hard.
Then, rising, he took from the same
drawer from which he had taken the re-
ports from the secret service plain en-
velOpe, out of which he drew dirty,
soiled scrap Of paper, whereon were writ
ten some Ill formed words in Russian
'She is her enemy!' he said aloud, In
a harsh, strained voice, as he held the
dirty scrap Of paper hesitatingly in his
hand. Shall 1 act? If 1 did, surely
none would suspect"
And he stood bordering in silence.
That night they met at the Imperial
ball at the winter palace, the most bril-
liant Of all the many assemblies at the
Russian court. Amid the gorgeous uni
forms and many decorations worn by
both men and women, Callinghams plain,
severe. diplomatic uniform without :. q
single order,y was very noticeable; hut
as he wandered aimlessly through the
magnificent rooms, bright In their dead
white and gold, he nodded here and
there to men he knew, or stopped to
bend over a 1Weman's hand.
He saw Vera, slim and elegant. in a
ravishing costume of pale blue, and the
historic Czartoriska diamonds upon her
neck leaning on the arm of Count
Schomberg, the German ambassador.
and later noticed her dancing with him.
Ihen, some half hour later, as he was
watching the brilliant crowd, she APP
preached and held forth her hand, which
he took, bowling stiff1y
i have kept you this waltz, Charles"
she said, gayly, in English. 'T couldn't
get rid of that old German bore before
he is a dreadful person.
overheard him paying you compIi-
mehts, the Englishman said and next
moment he placed his hand to her waist
! and they glided among the dancers. down
the great ballroom
Sir Henry Littleton saw them. and nm
der this breath, said "Callingham is hum
oring her. 1t is perhaps we'll" and he
turned to greet Vabutorff, the minister Of
finance, who had at that moment stroIIed
up.
Wonderful woman the Czartoriska >,
the latter observed. a few minutes later.
seems 10 grow younger every day. How
lovely she is tonight!''
very, his excellency answered. drylv
and both men strolfed@ away down the
great gallery lined by soldiers of the I'm
perial guard.
When the waltz ended. the princess
turning to her partner, said, in an under
tone: -5-...--.,-, =. '.rr,.I, -
CHARLES, will you grant me a favor to-
nlgh; and call upon me?I have something
to say that cannot be delayed Shall we
say in an hour? The matter is an urgent
L
home In an hour and await you"
Every well, he answered. and az. an
other partner came to claim her he bowed
and turned away. 81 ~ i~. 7-'s"-
When he drove past the Izaak church
on his way to the Czartoriska palace the
great Illuminated clock face in the square
showed that It was already an hour past
midnight, and on entering the fine we'll
warmed mansion he was shown by the
| footman straight to the cosy, richly-fur-
nfshed little boudoir he had known SO well
! long ago.
! She had cast aside her gloves and was
languidly reclining low settee with a
tiny glass of tea beside her. The air was
heaVy with the scent of flowers and when
the door closed. and they were alone, he
| crossed and stood beside her
| 'Well?" he asked at last standing be-
fore her, and holding his uniform hat be-
hind his back. What have you to say
to me?"
She paused. toying nervously with her
| rings ~ ~ SS-ss
81 asked you here in order to tell Won
something which concerns one who IS
dear to you" she said, in hard voice.
Marya?' he calculated, in moment
interested. ~ - - .-yr r, ~ z>-ae >
Yes, she said. 1.-The woman you love
| left Nice four days ago on her return
| here. Tonight she crosses the frontier at
1
teiegraphed for her arrest for completely
IN the great conspiracy against the car
recently discovered in Nice"
He stood rigid, glazing at her, speech
| less.
Your dark-haired doll has, I SUPPOSE.
| mixed herself up with the Plot of Forty,
and tonight she enters upon the first
stage Of that long road which leads past
the Urals-to Siberia" she continued with
smile. Il heard of 1t by accident this
afternoon from Zelebeff, minister of the
| interior, and have fastened to tell you.''
To tell me-" he cried, crimsoning with
| anger as he found speech. THE Plot Of
| the Forty was discovered at Nice You
have been at Nice this season-you and
your accuser parasite, OustroomofY! II is
you who have denounced her-an inno-
| cent womanI'
She rose quickly to her feet, pale and
unsteady.
We'll" she said, in a hard voice. land
II so? You once defied me, remem-
| ber"
Take care womani" he cried, ad-
vancing towards her threateningly, "or.
| you may goad me to desperation Ibis.