The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-05-18

stantiy, "and will he come to me here,
When Paul came into the room q
few minutes later Steinmetz was
standing by Tie fire. He turned and
looked sravely at the prince.
i have just kicked De Chauxville
out of the house, he said.
The color left Paul's face quite sud
denly.
"Why?" he asked, with hard eyes.
He had begun to distrust Eta, and
there is nothing so hard to stop as the
growth Of distrust
Stelnmetz did not answer at once.
was it not my privilege?' asked
Paul, with grim SMILE There are some
smiles more terrible than any frown.
no" answered Steinmetz, Il think
not. 1t is not as bad as that. But it is
bad enough, it is bad enough. I horse
whipped him first for myself. How
pleasant that was! And then kicked
him out for you.''
"Why:" repeated Paul, with white
face.
1T is long story" answered Stein
metz without looking at him. "He
knows too much"
Paul walked away to the window.
He stood looking out, his hands thrust
into the side pockets of his jacket, his
broad back turned uncompromisingl
upon his companion.
"Iell me the story" he said. ''You
need not hurry over it. You need not
trouble to-spare me. Only let it be
quite complete-once for ALL"
Stelnmetz WINGED. He knew the ex-
preston of the face that was looking
out of the window.
This man has hated me all his life,"
he said. 1T began, as such things usu-
ally do between men, about woman.
1t was years ago. I got the better of
him, and the good God got the better
of me. She died, and De Chauxville for
got her. I-have not forgotten her, but
nave tried to do so. It is slow proc
ess, and l have made very little prog
ress, but all that is my affair and be-
side the question. merely mention it
to show you that De Chauxville had a
grudge against me-
'This is no time for mistaken char
1ty," interrupted Paul. "Do not try to
screen anybody. I shall see through
it."
There was little pause. Never had
that silent room been so noiseless.
I'm after life" Steinmetz went on,
1T was our fate to be at variance sew
eral times. Our mutual dislike has
had no opportunity of diminishing. It
seems that before you married, De
Chauxyille was pleased to consider
himself in love with Mrs. Sydney Bam-
borough. Whether he had any right to
think himself ill used l do not know.
Such matters are usually known to two
persons only, and imperfectly by them
1t would appear. that the wound to
his vanity was serious. It developed
into thirst for revenge. He looked
about for some means to do you harm.
He communicated with your enemies
and allied himself to such men as Vas
sill of Paris. He followed us to Pc
tersburg, and then he had stroke Of
good fortune. He found out who be-
trayed the Charity league"
Paul turned slowly round. In his
eyes there burned dull, hungering
fire.
"Ah. He knows that" he said
slowly.
Eyes, God help us, he knows that"
"And who was it,"
Steinmetz moved uneasily from one
foot to the other.
"a woman-you know" said Stein
metz slowly.
"Good God. Catrina?
NO. not Catrina.''
"Then who? cried Paul hoarsely.
His hands fell heavily on the table.
''Your wife"'
Paul knew before the words were
spoken.
He turned again and stood looking
out of the window, with his hands
thrust into his pockets.
Steinmetz watched Paurs motionless
back with sort Of fascination He
moved uneasily, as If to break a spell
of silence almost unbearable in it's in
tensity. He went to the table and sat
down. From mere habit he took up a
quill pen. He looked at the point of it
and at the inkstand. But he had moth
ing to write. There was nothing to say.
He laid the pen aside and sat leaning
his broad head upon the palm of his
hand, his two elbows on the table
Paul never moved. Steinmetz waited
At length Paul moved. He turned
and, coming toward the table, laid his
hand on Steinmetz's broad shoulder
"Are you sure Of it," he asked in
voice that did not sound like his own
at all, hollow voice like that Of an
old man.
"Quite. I have it from Stepan Lano-
vitch-from the princess herself
They remained thus for moment.
Then Paul withdrew his hand and
walked slowly to the window.
"Tell me-" he said, "how she did it."
Steinmetz was playing with the quill!
pen again.
ut was an organized plan between