Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-08-09

81 am not in the habit of deserting
any one who is my friend because, per-
haps, it may mean trouble or even
danger to me to continue my acquain-
tance."
She seemed deeply affected by his
words.
You overwhelm me with kindness,
Mr.. Stuart"
Nonsense. The favor is just the
other way. 1t is a rare pleasure for
me to serve YOU
"And yet l can hardly refuse, for,
Heaven knows. l am in great trouble,
and need a friend, if ever a young
woman did"
Compose yourself, I beg; and be-
gin, please"
Charlie believed he was about to
hear some news of more than ordin-
ary Importance. In imagination he
could picture the remarkable young
widow who created such a furore all
over Europe. She might resemble Ar
line in many ways, but surely such
a charmer of men could not possibly
assume the air of innocence which this
tOunS NOllldu CdlllCu Win uOl.
At the same time he felt impelled to
relate the adventure he had experienced
with the professor and even meption
that he had been solemnly warned by
the baron.
When she heard that Peterhoff be-
lieved her to be the celebrated adven-
turess, she hung her head.
Charlie was overcome with confu-
sion.
Il have distressed you; and yet l
beg you to believe / meant it all kind
ly. 1t was a silly thing for Peterhoff
to do, but even the shrewdest of men
of his stamp make absurd blunders
sometimes. His last famous one cost
Russia her Czar. Remember. l never
for once took any stock in his ridicu-
lous idea. 1t was all a mistake"
Then the maid looked up.
Her eyes were sparkling with real
tears, but Charles haste to assure her
of his positive belief in her innocence
of the charge had brought a smile to
her face.
"It is dreadful, even to be taken for
such a notorious woman, don't you
think? But perhaps 1 should look at
it reasonably, and believe the baron
has made an excusable blunder. Real
ly, some of the garcons here in the ho-
tel have addressed me as countess, and
l have been puzzled to account for
it until now, so we must look alike
l a demure little English lassie, and
she a clever, designing Russian dip
lomat"
Charlie nodded, eagerly.
What she said seemed so very rea-
sonable and she took it much better
than he expected.
But he could easily discover that
Airline was not wholly at her ease.
Frequently she cast quick glances in
the direction of the door.
This fact had come to his attention
some time back; but Charlie did not
find the least reason to suspect that
the baron had aught to do with it.
She seemed to hesitate, perhaps
hardly knowing just how to begin her
story.
Allow me to remark, in the begin
ming" said Charlie, that, while 1 am
ready and anxious to serve you, and
stand ready to do all that may become
a man-if there is any reason why you
should wish to keep these things Sc
cret, will try to help you, even while
cropping in complete ignorance"
"Oh, no." she answered quickly; sit
is not that. You are entitled to the
fullest confidence. l was only endeav-
oring to collect my thoughts SO that
1 might know just how to begin. And,
besides, l have a natural feeling of
shame, because the person who has,
l sadly fear, been plotting in secret
against me, is one who should be my
best friend upon earth-my father!"
Young though she was, this beauti-
full girl had known what it was to sup
with poverty, to be left alone and
friendless in the world and to meet
with the most unexpected and glorious
fortune.
Her story, even when briefly told,
was a series of dramatic surprises, such
as are well fitted for the stage. yet
occur so seldom in real life.
She barely mentioned her earlier
years, save to tell how her father,
sea captain, had been lost as it was
believed, at sea- and with her mother
she had fought the grim wolf in Lon
don, sewing, as such people of refne-
ment reduced to poverty must do in
order to earn bread.