The Princeton union., 1900-11-15
/ u hardly realize 1t, indeed, or what
& n IL. u

5UcAcSc uAe, VIII " W keep your IOl-4E
tune She spoke very grayely, look
ing ut me intontly over her fan. Half
the world will be in league to rob you.
All, but yes, amin earnest! You men
fall naturally into three classes-
rogues, fools, aud policemen" .
And to which, pray, dO | belOngW
! asked lightly not taking this bitter
remark at all seriously.
'.Not the first, | am sure; it would be
a bad compliment to say the second,
but il you We're wise, you would GER
tainly become the third. \ whole police
force in your pay would not be too
many to protect you.' *
'Are you in earnestly said, sud
denly struck with something in her
eyes. =. = T. -
Every much so, Captain Wood. II l
were Il friend, an old friend, let us say,
/ would counsel you, strongly urge
you, to be constantly Oh your guard,
very much on your guard"
! AS she spoke a deadly pallOr over
! spread her face, which was high color
ed, as is often seen in very fair haired
women, even when still quite young.
Her husband had returned silently,
might have said stealthily, and she
| first had caught sight of him standing
there behind me. Why was she thus
terrified? Because the duke had heard
her last words?
| Whether or not the Duke Of TERRA
Sagrada had even heard his wife
when SO earnestly counseling me to be
upon my guard, ! was unable to judge;
at least, he made no sign. His manner
was perfectly quiet and natural. and
he spoke in an unconcerned tone when
he pressed me to keep my seat in the
front of the box.
at the next interval he said very
courteously: "Do you propose to stay
for the 'Cavalleria Rusticana? Would
you care to accompany us: Our car
riage is here. Susette will he very
pleased to present yor.''
"You are very good," l said. Il
should like to so very much if l may
run away early. | have a couple Of
balls tonight
1t was curious and not unimpOrtant
circumstance, when viewed by the
light Of later events. that the three
houses l was to visit that night were
within a stones throw Of each other.
The first, that of the Dos Rios min
lister, to which | was introduced by
the Duke and Duchess Of TERRA Sa-
grada, was in Rutland Gate. The next,
Mrs. Collingham Smiths. was in
: Princes Gardens, and the last, Lady
Delanes, in Princes Gate. My new
friends would have sent me on in their
carriage, especially when they learned
I had not far to go. This near neigh.
borhood was remarked on by the duke,
when, observing that the reception did
not greatly amuse me, he asked if
was not dying to get to my dancing.
and where, exactly, was going.
'You must let us send you on to
Princes Gardens in the carriage" he
said. very ciyilly. 1--WE have brought
.. you out Of your way to not very
bright entertainment and now We
ought to speed your departure. W.
must stay on here for an hour or sc
more, but there is no reason why yor
should"
protested that Princes Gardens was
only a few yards off, round the corner
). in fact, and | really preferred to walk
> Besides. / only meant to look in for :
a. moment My real destination was Lady
> -Delane's, which was also quite close
at hand.
':To be sure, yes; certainly, know
= Well, we'll, If you will not be persuad
= ed. But the carriage is entirely Il
>, your disposition. Is that not so. Su
;, settc?'
1t occurred to me tnat the duchess
!, was not altogether pleased ut this off
:, hand disposal of her carriage. So re
- fused the kind offer and left them will
/ the pleasurable sensation OF having
q made couple OF charming new &C
quaintances.
= There was another acquaintance, i
6 l might so call him, whether friend o
~ foe, waiting for me outside-th
- same shutting, slipshod creature whom
:, I had seen so often that evening. Di
rectly l went out | saw him emerg
:, from the portico of an unfurnishe
=, house and follow me to the very doc
= in Princes Gardens.
He was still Oh the watch when let
s Mrs. Collingham Smiths, having foun
nothing to detain me there-no sign o
=, , Frida Fairholme, whom l had hope
- to run down. l would now have COT
>, fronted this pertinacious ''shadow,
y. calling him to account for thus doggin
!, my footsteps, and if he gave no salts
i faction, handing him over to the police
-. ~ But it would have taken time and fe]
\. had none to lose.
1t was already long past midnigh
l might miss Frida, and that was nc
= to be borne Mrs. Fairholme. he
- mother could give me no news of he
. charge. Yes, Frida is here, some
~ where. Tia. is all l know" she al
swered in 8 weary, farof, sem
" somnolent voice, as, no doubt she ha
~ answered dozen similar queries. "Bt
J" have not seen her for an hour {
q. more. do wish, Mr.. Wood, you woul
T. find her and bring her to me- she sal
80.