Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-06-21


have been done. 1t would be better for
her to consider her own life and TO ac-
cept such happiness as the world of.
fers."
Il hope to heaven that you'll sue
ceed," said Darrell, taking her hand.
With Mrs. Gordon's amiable attempt
TO stem the tide OF destiny this present
record Is not intimately concerned. 1t
! is sufficient to say that Vera was for
several days a member OF that house
hold and that she revealed a many
sided and most interesting nature. But
she did not reveal the secret of her
mission In Paris. She continued to be
frank about herself, disclosing without
reserve the facts of her ancestry and
earlier life. 1t appeared that upon her
mothers side she was descended from
princely house of Circassia. OF which
Ehe was almost the sole survivor.
Moreover. she had a strain OF Amer
lean blood through an International
marriage two generations back, and
to that, in her opinion, she owed her
chief distinguishing peculiarities both
OF mind and body. Certainly her ap-
pearance was most unusual for a Cir
cassian-
She made no attempt to secure her
personal effects, and the Gordons were
not aware that she communicated with
the persons in whose charge the things
then were, but she obtained money
from a bank where she had an ac-
count under an assumed name. Oar
rel presented the check for her, and it
was for large sum, which was paid
without question. Such things as she
required were purchased for her by
Mrs. Gordon, Vera herself remaining
strictly within doors.
On the second day she asked leave to
receive two gentlemen, and as a result
of this permission and a note dispatch
ed by messenger there appeared at
the house about o o'clock in the even
Ing two persons OF n somewhat formi-
liable aspect. They were presented to
Mrs. Gordon as NJ. Kilziar and NJ.
korpa and were subsequently referred
to by Darrell and Gordon in their pri-
waite conversation as the alliterative
duo.
M. Kilziar was n bulky man, nearly
fifty years old, swarthy and keen eyed.
He had the air OF one Injured to phys
ical hardships, familiar with the saddle
and the sword. NJ. Korna was under
thirty, slender and graceful. He mar
rowly escaped being handsome. but the
leanness of his visage and consequent
! unpleasant prominence Of his high
cheek bones spoiled the effect OF brilliant
eyes and a fine, firm month and chin.
What these gentlemen had TO com
municate no one but themselves and
Vera knew, for Mrs. Gordon retired be-
yOnd earshot when the serious CONVEX
sation began.
On the day following n gentleman OF
quite a different type presented him
self. He was NJ. Jules Clery, very ell
egant individual, a Frenchman of dis
| tinguished family. During NJ. Clery's
visit Gordon discovered Darrell In the
billiard room, walking around the Ia
BILE, his hands deep in his pockets and
his broad and studious brow deeply,
almost painfully. furrowed.
Gordon sank into chair and watch
ed Darrell walk half a mile. Then he
said:
"Old man. you're jealous"
Darrell stopped short and for some
! seconds regarded his friend with that
glance OF careful, searching inquiry
which was so good a mask for the RI.
pidity OF his thought.
Bob" said he. do you know who
NJ. Clery ISL"
Certainly" replied Gordon, and he
gave hasty sketch of the man.
DO you know what he does ?' de-
manded Darrell
"DoesT repeated Gordon. what do
you meanp
II mean for a living" responded
Darrell. 81 suppose 1t is not generally
known that he does anything, but the
truth Is that he is. a man OF business.
He is silent partner In the biggest
powder mill in France. he makes all
kinds Of explosives, Robert, and sells
them, sometimes on the quiet. Now.
what do you make of that?"
81 don't like it." answered Gordon.
''This girl has no right to be mixed up
In nihilism and that sort OF thing. She's
big hearted, high souled woman.
She is out Of place as conspirator."
Isn't this situation preposterOus p
exclaimed Darrell. Here is this beau
tiful child-for really she's nothing
else-plottins heaven knows what atroc-
tiles with hardened Adventures like
kilziar and negotiating for dynamite
with this fellow Clery, who is hand in
glove with the most desperate revolu-
tionists on earth, and we can't do any
thing to save her. We are restrained
by the conventionalities OF polite socie-
ty from prying into her affairs"
He laughed in a reckless fashion, as
If upon the whole he relished the ad-
venture.
IF she would trust me, Bob" he
said, with sudden earnestness, "Pd fol-
low her to the utmost limit and make
no end Of fool of myself. of course.
But I'd do it gladly for her, and you
know why, my friend"
Tn afraid do" returned Gordon.
You're caught in the net"
"She has set no snares for me-" re-
piled Darrell "Quite the contrary. She
cares nothing for me, either 10 serve