The daily morning Alaskan., 1904-01-06
lie Pro4ed
 HiS WordS
IoEInaL

At secretary in a handsomely fur nished honsa In Paris sat young girl making memoranda. Near her stood young man. His look was serious. even melancholy,
 ESQ the prince" be said, is to be Pour fathers guest at luncheon"
 ''Yes, and as am papa's major dorao woman Of all work or what you like to lail 1t. the preparation an falls ou me"
 "How came this honorT
 "Oh. papa was in Russia two years ago and while there got wind of a plot to kin the czar Ho went with the ia- formation to the prince, who was then chief of police the plotters were ar Tosted some of them executed, other sent to Siberia"
 While she spoke the young man hs- tened eagerly and when she finished muttered to himself, "Now l under stand why this is to be done and why NJ. Portier's life is not to be considered any more than that Of the prince"
 Mile. Portler," he asked, "is this luncheon to be a private oue-no one present except the prince and your fa- therT
 'That is my understanding. There iH some private matter to be talked over"
 ''Wil you permit me to help you with your preparadonsf
 Certainly WIi you buy the fruits, the lees, or go to the butchers or the dshmOngersf'
 "If you will leave the fruit to me J will see that a dish containing the rar- est in The market shall be on the ta- ble."
 "Yery well; you may attend to that" And she entered on her memoranda. 'Fruit to be bought by Ivan Kerchon.' % Then rising, she said, "Now l must hc of."
 '1Ile. Elise"
 "WenT'
 "I-I am-not feeling very well. Something tells me that some misfor- tune hangs over me
 Poor fellow Don't feel that way. When we are not well we take the bluest view of things. It's the liver"
 "I hope you will understand what ] am going to say to you. wish you to know that whatever happens l would lay down my life for you"
 'For mef'
 ''Yes; for you"
 "Oh, that's a figure Of speech"
 'I mean it. Circumstances may arise which will force me to prove it."
 ''You are blue today aren't you? Co and take a horseback ride in the Bois It will jolt these notions out Of you"
 Instead l will go and attend to your commission. l will bring the fruit just before l o'clock"
 1Ine. Porder was too much preoccu- pied with her preparations to notice the agonlzed look on the young man's face. A Russian who had made her ac- quaintance at a solree given by mu- tual acquaintance a year before, he had seen much of her and. though abe only suspected it. worshiped her At a quarter to 2 he returned to the house. called for Mile. Portier and handed her dish of fruit that had been arr ranged at the fruiterers On the apex of a pyramid was a huge orange.
 "How tastefully got upw remarked the girl. "I thank you ever so much"
 ''Place lt on the table just as 1t is."
 'T will' And. calling a servant she gave the order.
 Where are you going to be, made moiselle, during the luncheonT
 "Oh, ] shall remain where ] can give orders to the servants. Perhaps after the discussion is over papa will call for me to go in and be introduced to the prince"
 The young man paled
 Come" she added, 'you must be going. l have too much to do to enter tain you"
 "Elise." said Ivan. It was the first dme he had addressed her except with the prefix mademoiselle; besides, there was something akin to despair in his voice. She waited for him to go on. With an effort he controlled himself
 "If you will permit me l will remain here dn after the luncheon I wish to get a glimpse of the prince"
 Certainly, if you wish it Perhaps papa may have an opportunity to in- troduce you to your fellow country man"
 The prince arrived and was ushered by Mr. Portier into the dining room. Kerchof walked back and forth in the hall, from time to time looking at his watch He was very pale. and there was look of horror in his,eye. This he partly controlled whenever Elise came near him.
 "Where Is Mile. PorierT he asked after missing her for some time.
 ''In the dining room with the prince and her father"
 The young man groaned. He stood with his eyes fixed on his watch, walt Ing, watching, listening for the girl to appear. Then as the hands of the time piece pointed to twenty five minutes after 1 be went to the dining room door, opened 1t, hurried to the table seized the orange on the fruit dish and plucked a fuse from t. which he i'm mersed in a finger bowl filled with wa ter. Those sitting at the table looked nf hin, In rT1anf wonder
 ''Mademoiselle," he said to Elise, CT told you that l would de for you. have proved my words. am a nihilist and have been ordered by my chief here in Paris to use this opportunity