Smyrna times., 1903-07-22


1t was early in the evening, not long
after Z, and he was wondering where
to spend the hours till bedtime A
knock at the outer door of his chamber
disturbed his reverie. Being alone,
he went himself to answered the sum-
mons. A lady, tall and thickly velled,
stood in the passage without.
"Mr. Austin Grey?"
"That is my name, madam"
"Can speak with you in private?"
Her accent was foreign.
Certainly; will you come in?"
The lady entered. Austin puzzling
his brain as to who his visitor might
be. She declined the seat offered to
her, and glanced around the room.
''Are you quite alone?" she asked.
Quite
The lady lifted her veil.
"Olga Dobrouloff'' cried the young
man.
81 have not altered so much in six
years that you fail to recognize me,
then, Cecil Austen?" said she, faint
smile at his start of surprise and sud
den pallor crossing her darkly beauti-
full face. Cecil Austen! ah; but you
are known more by your monde
theatre now, are you not?"
''What is your businSs with me,
MADAME" he inquired.
$50 austere? Your manner toward
me was so different six years ago in
Russia Well, we'll, my business? To
give you this
She handed him a letter, which he
hesitated at first to open. Breaking
the seal at length, he cast his eyes
over the communication which hC
drew from the envelope. One glance
was sufficient to cause his hand tC
tremble so violently as to rustic thu
paper it held. His pallor deepeneC
for a moment; then his face flushed
then disdainful look came into hi
eyes.
Take this back to those who sent
you to me, he said, ''and say 1 hav,
not held myself subject to their or
ders since 1 left Russia"
Remember your OATH"
''Such as it was, took it in a mo
ment of youthful might say boyisl
enthusiasm over things I did no
rightly understand. I saw my folly il
time, and abandoned the society int
the membership of which 1 was be
guiled by your father, who traded o.
my infatuation for you"
"Infatuation You swore you coul
never love another woman, and taugh
me to love you, Cecil"
''I am sorry for that episode in m
life," he made answer. II was learr
ing to forget it, and 1 hoped you ha
ALSO
81? Never! 1 shall love you to m
dying hour. Oh, my darling" sh
cried, clasping her hands passionatel
and taking step toward him, ebay
you truly-ceased to love mei
'This topic is an unpleasant on
Olga-one 1 have no wish to discus
1t was not love I had for you; hay
discovered that"
"You have discovered-ah!'
Her eyes fixed themselves on
photograph standing upon the mantl
piece. 1t was the picture of youn
girl.
"You have discovered it, have yol
Did she help you to make the di
covery."
''That is the lady I hope soon
make my wife"
For a moment Olga d. ,roulof1
features burned with the fiji of hat
Her fingers gripped the pict e tigt
ly. Suddenly they relaxed, and wi
a moan she bowed her head.
ooh, Cecil!" she cried in bitt
anguish, ''then 1 must not hope
who have carried your image in I
heart these long, long years?
what a FOOLS paradise I have lived. "
Austen stood with the paper she h
given him still in his hand, looking,
he felt, terribly agitated. The mel
ory of those few months he had pass
in Russia as an attache to the Britt
Embassy returned to him. He
membered the Ambassadors ball,
which he first met Olga Dobroulo
He had fallen in love with the beau
full girl at first sight.
The silence of the room was brok
only by the ticking of the clock a
the sobs of the woman. The lat
grew fainter after while, and Aust
was thinking he might approach q
offer some words of comfort VIII
with quick movement, Olga arose
her feet.
"I accept my fate, she said, "a
will not trouble you again. You
fuse to execute the orders of the M
ist chiefs?"
Undoubtedly. 1 will not conf