Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-03-30

for them, and nothing was brought
home to us. But you will understand
that 1t Is necessary for us to avoid any
notoriety, to live as quietly and pri-
vately as possible"
"Iou can lever go back to Russia"
said Eta slowly, feeling her ground,
as it were.
"Oh, yes. I can. l was just coming
to that. l want to so back this Win
ter. There is so much to be done.
And want you to come with me-"
No. Paul; no, no! l couldn't do
that"' cried Eta, with Il ring of hor-
ror in her voice, strangely out of keep
ing with her peaceful and luxurious
surroundings.
why not?" asked the man who had
never known fear.
"Oh. l should be afraid. l couldn't.
l hate Russia."
But you don't know it."
NO." answered Eta, turning away
and busying herself with her long silk
en- train; mo-, of course not-only Pc
tersburg, l mean But l have heard
what it is. So cold and dismal and
miserable! I feel the cold so horribly.
l wanted to go to the Riviera this win
ter, l really think, Paul, you are ask
ing me too much"
Il am only asking a proof that you
care for me-"
Eta gave a little laugh. a nervous
laugh with no mirth in it.
"a prpofi PM thof ;S CO borrroo;.
and unnecessary. Haven't you proof
enough, since l am your wife?"
Paul looked at her without any sign
Of yielding. His attitude, his whole
being, was expressive Of that immova-
bility Of purpose which had hitherto
been concealed from her by his quiet
manner. Steinmetz knew of the men,
tai barrier within this Anglo-Russian
soul, against which prayer and argu-
ment We're alike unavailing.
Eta looked at him. The color was
coming back to her face in patches.
There was something unsteady in her
eyes-something suggestive that for
the first time in her life she was
daunted by a man. 1t was not Paul's
speech, but his silence, that alarmed
her. She felt that trivial arguments,
small feminine reasons, were without
weight.
Now that you are married." she
said, 81 do not think you have any
right to risk your life and your posi-
ton for a fad"
81 have done it with impunity for
the last two or three years." he an
swered. With ordinary ]precaution
the risk is small. 1 have begun the
thing now; 1 must go on with it."
"Then the Ch-Charity league is for
gotten?' she said.
NO." answered her husband quietly.
ut will not be forgotten until we have
found out who sold us to the govern
ment."
Etta's lips moved in a singular way.
She drew them in and held them with
her teeth. For a moment her beauti-
full face wore a hunted expression of
fear.
what will you gain by that?" she
asked evenly.
II! Oh, nothing. 1 do not care one
way or the other. But there are some
people who want the man-very much"
Eta drew in a long, deep breath.
Il will go to Osterno with you, if you
like" she said; "only only 1 must
have Maggie with me-"
Eyes, if you like" answered Paul in
some surprise.
Maggie is such a splendid compan-
ion,' she said. "She is SO easy to
please. think she would come If you
asked her, Paul"
"If you want her l shall ask her, of
course. but it may hinder US a little.
l thought you might be able to help
us-with the women, you know"
There was a queer little smile on Ell
ta's face, a smile, one might have
thought, of contempt.
Yes. of course" she said. ut is so
nice to be able to do good with ones
money"
1T is not a bad place." he said-'a
very fine castle, one of the finest in
Europe. Before came away l gave
orders for your rooms to be done up.
l should like everything to be nice for
you"
Il know you would. DEAR" she an
swered. glancing at the clock. The
carriage was ordered for a quarter
past 10. But 1 suppose she went on.
that, socially speaking, we shall be
rather isolated"
THE nearest neighbors," said Paul
quietly, "are the Lanovitches."
"Who?"
1.-THE Lanoyitches. Do you know
them?'
"Of course not answered Eta
sharply. But I seem 70 know tie
name. Were there any in st. Peter
burg?'
THE same people, ansn cred Paul
Count Stepan Lanovitch."
Eta was looking at her husband
with her bright smile. 1t was a little
too bright. perhaps. Her eyes had u.
CLEAN in them. She was conscious Of
being beautifully dressed, conscious Of
her W matchless beauty. almost
dauntless, like a very strong man