New-York tribune., 1903-08-24

It was from his description that learned %
nv inheritance
Ashamed Of my past doubts cf ore who bad
been my fathers friend. anxious 70 atone for
secret distrust. 1 went against my nature. which
is reserved. and. of course. TOO far
Il hope you viii always call me Athena
said. smiling through a mist OF tears. I am
sorry I spoke I did Just You see.
did not know"
The sadness cleared from the handsome dark
face
And you-you won't say Mr. Errantf in that
formal way again?''
Once more my color rose This was more than
had bargained for. vet how draw back?
When YOU think Of me. Athena, do YOU call
me Mr.. ErrantT-or Philip"
Because Of Madam's constant use OF his
Christian name did think Of him Philip
flushed crimson Philips eyes sparkled.
Il am answered." he cried. gayly; then. with
sudden seriousness. NO. call me what you
please. Athena. only give me the right to be
your friend. I your fathers
made a great effort. conquered my reserve
and certain incomprehensible feeling OF repug
nance-rose/ TO my feet and. holding our my
hand, said. very gravely:
Because Of your affection for my father &C
cept your friendship-Philip-'
He bent low over my hand. raising 1t to his
lips. He did not look at me- and I saw he had
seeing
deeply moved. tried 20 help him recover him
self.
Lock up the stiletto. please said lightly.
'and never offer it TO friend. Knives cut
friendship"
He laughed. little unsteadiIy.
Il may settle with that Mrs spuyten,
Athena %
Certainly not
Your fathers own daughter," he rlurrnured
,YarF gs
that you knowl" I said. anxious to preserve
her small amusement. Then recouected an
other secret that must be shared. To tell it was
unpleasant. somehow. I felt suddenly strong
desire to away from my fathers friend. 7
took my courage in both hands.
Il must tell you that I have seen the room you
and Madam were kind enough TO have refur-
nished for me" 7 stopped. little out of
breath.
Philip laughed. His eyes flashed
| Little daughter Of Eve, So you couldn't
wait! I'm thankful you possess some OF the
/ ordinary feminine weaknesses! I began to be
heve you veritable little goddess OF stone.''
| and again he laughed
| To be thought a second Mrs Bluebeard-a
woman had always despised-was unpleasant.
but without betraying Madam's little adventurs
I could not explain. Then I remembered Madam
| wished her son 10 think the room a surprise to
| me. I found myself tangled in mesh of false
hoods
! IF you don't object said. shamefacedly. Il
will pretend not to have seen it before"
Just as you choose dear child Philip looked
/ astonished. "Of course I'll keep your little
secret What I don't understand is why you
told me at all"
! II a poor actress
| You thought 1 should see through you, so
told?"-very much amused. Il had no idea you
were such crafty little personi As for this
| toy"-playtng with the dagger must find you
a less deadly gage d'amitie.''
THE top of the morning to you bothr' cried a
gay voice. and Randall strolled in by the window,
| What's that. Erranti? BY all the gods, dag
ger! Better not play with edged tools old man.
| or you'll get your fingers cut" He glanced at
me
Philip smiled. and locked it away in his desk.
Dear me-" said Randall. plaintively. Iounging
into chair Il should like TO know what You
! two quiet people talk about when you're all. all
| alone. Do you talk or simply He broke III
glancing inquisitively from me to Philip. shes
a sphinx'-pointing solemn finger at me-''and
you''-turning upon Philip-"are a volcano
You're quiet enough now. old man. and we. so to
speak. sport gayly about you, and gather flow
| ers on your manly brow; but some day you'll
| explode-and may be there to see"'
| III blow you into fragments" laughed Philip
| He was in high spirits You deserve Il. be
| knocked TO bits for your nonsense
/ How about the sphinx I doubt If even hot
/ lava would melt her. Is she a sphinx or only a
pagan. caught young and educated among
| Christians? Do you know what she says. En-
ranti, when tell her can't make her out? Is
/ there any reason that you should Mr., St.
! john ."
I started. for It was my own voice that
heard Randall was a marvellous mimic Philip
/ frowned.
! Enough of that" He spoke sternIy. not hid
ing his displeasure "CoDfne your nonsense to
| me. if you must indulge in it,
! I'm sorry you're mad Erranti.' said Randall.
| quickly. L didn't mean 70 be saucy. Mss
Dean has such a wonderful voce-the kind or
! grave. sweet tones that belong to goddesses 7
/ couldn't help trying it on. Please forgive me-.
/ Miss Dean
/ smiled my forgiveness and said I must 90
/ NO. please. not yet. said Randall Just stay
/ long enough to prove you're not offended SAY.
| I bet YOU five dollars that FOR all you're such
| sphinx. tell what you've been saying 70
/ Erranti. May give guess?"
Had he been eavesdropping2 He was.
/ thought. none too scrupuIous- Before 7 could
! answer Philip cried out:
/ 7 bet you fifty you CAN'T
/ "Done." Randall was overjoyed- She vas
/ telling you how she saved YOUR mother's rss
/ yesterday
A profound silence followed. Randall. think
ing he had hit the mark. prepared FOR new
| triumphs
"IH bet another Ave that know something
she has not told you"
Fifty that you fail" said Philip an odd in
! hection in his voice
| She has seen the changes in the Blue Room
said Randall. smiling IN his unpleasant way