The Irish standard., 1906-07-07

ceeding which | can not quite define,
Perhaps it is the nearness of physical
| beauty; perhaps 1t is the delicate scent
OF flowers; perhaps it is the touch
of the cool, firm flesh; perhaps it is
just romance.) The gaze which she
bent upon his dark head was emotion
al; yet there was not the slightest
'remor of arm or fingers. 1t is possi-
BILE that she desired him to observe the
steadiness of her nerves. What did
you mean?" he asked.
What did l mean?"-yaguely. Her
thought had been elsewhere.
by that superstition"
"Oh. | mean that my position, had
I married YOU, would have been rather
anomalous to-day" She extended the
other arm. You are in love"
In love?" He looked up quickly.
Decidedly; and | had always
; doubted your capacity for tina, senti-
ment'
And pray tell me, with whom am
in love?"
Come, Count. you and know each
other too we'll to waste time in beating
about the bushes. do not blame you
for loving her, only. say, it must
no, be-
Must not be?" The counts voice
rose a key.
Yes, must not be. You must give
them up-the idea and the girl. What!
You, who cOntrive her fathers dishon-
or, would aspire to the daughters
hand? II is not equable. Love her
hohorably, or not at ALL The course
You are following is base and wholly
unworthy of you
He dropped the arm abruptly and
STROBE across the room stopping by a
window He did not wish to see her
face at that particular instant. Some
men would have demanded indignant
ly TO know how she had learned these
things: not SO the count
There is time to retrieve, Go to
the colonel frankly, pay his debts out
of your own pockets, then tell the girl
that you love her Before you tell her.
her father will have acquainted her
will marry you out of gratitude"
karloff spun on his heels. His ex-
preston was wholly new His eyes
were burning; he stretched and crum-
pied his gloves.
"Yes, YOU are right. You are right! I
have been trying to convince myself
that was machine where the father
was concerned and wholly man in
regard to the girl. You have put it
before me in bold manner. Good
God. yes! find that am wholly
| man. How smoothly all this would
have gone to the end had she not
crossed my path! ] am base. !. who
have always considered myself an hon
orable man. And now it is too lite,
too late!"
TOO late? Wha, do you mean? Have
you dared TO ask her to be your wife,"
Had karloff held her arm at this mo-
mcnt. he would have comprchrnled
many things.
mo. no! My word has gone fortl,
to my government; there is a wall he
hind me. and can not 80 back. To
stop means worse than death My
| property will he con fscatcd and my
name obliterated. my body rot slowly
in tn" frozen north. Oh. | know my
country; one does not gain her graf
itnde by failure. | must have those
plans, and nowhere could | obtain
such perfect ones"
Then you will give her mp?" There
was a broken note.
The count smiled. To her It was
Smile scarce less than snarl.
Give her up? Yes, as IL mother gives
up her child, as "a lioness her cub.
She has refused me. but nevertheless
she shall be my wife Oh. | am we'll
verscd in human nature. She loves
her father and know what sacrifices
she would make to save his honor.
Tonight" Blu, his lips suddenly
closed.
We'll, tonight? Why do you no,
go on?" Mrs. Chadwick was pale.
Her gloved hands were clenched. A
sasm OF some sort seemed to bold her
in its shaking grasp
Nothing nothing! In heavens
name. why have you stirred me sO?"
he cried
"Suppohns, after ali, loved you"'
He rctwated. Madam, your sup
positions are becoming intOlerabIe and
impossible"
Nothing is impossible. Surprising
| loved you as violently and passion
atcly as you love this sirl?"
Madam hastily and with gentle
ness, edo not say anything which may
cause me to blush for you; say Moth
ing you may regret Tomorrow"
81 am a woman of rircumspection.
My suggestions are merely arguments
alive. DO yon realize, Count. that I
could force YOU to marry me-"
Karloff's establishment could not
be cu'laled Force me to marry yon?"
"Is the thought SO disastcfll. thcn?"
You are mad tonight"
Not so. In whatever manner you
have succeeded in this country, your
debt of gratitude is owing to me.
do not recall this fact as a reproAch;
] make the statement TO bear me on in
what ! have TO submit to your dis
corning intelligence. doubt II there
is another woman. here or abroad
who knows you so well as |. Your
personal honor is beyond impcuch-
mcnt but Russia Is making vast efforts