The Washington herald., 1906-10-18
AMBROSE PRATT.

was glad to take one Of the vacated
chairs. for he felt anyhow" but ma
dame, noting his palIor. recalled Prince
Carlos and commanded him to bring her
a bottle of champagne. The prince gave
black scowl at his rival, but obeyed.
although he did not return in person. Ma
dame made Cressingham drink quite half
the bottle and slipped a glass herself.
What a liar you are, Frank, my boy
she murmured presently, regarding him
with little enigmatical smile.
His face flushed a little. 'Tu quOque ."
he answered her
so they have me by the heels at last,
and you. the man I loved, have done IT,.
No other could have. Not Perigord. with
all his millions and his minions."
Dent make a scene, please; I am not
equal to it."
"Oh of course not. You may ruin me.
but I must not make scene about II,
What a fool I was, wasn't To-"
What's done-is done, Kate"
1.-The funny part Of it is that / don't yet
know whether ] hate or love you most.
1 ought to hate. shouldn't I?'
"Oh, hate me If you choose"
You don't care, is that il? Did you
fool me with your love as wei?''
Madame rose TO her elbow, her eyes
glitteTing. CFesgingham felt too III 70
trifie with her, especially as there was no
longer any need to do so. Il have known
YOU exactly for what you are, these weeks
past" he said YEARLY.
Madame was silent for quite n time
then she muttered in a very low voice:
i understand now lot that previously
puzzled me. l thought you were so good.
so puTe-minded, so honorable. Tell me,
Frank, did you ever really care for me?''
Once"
"Ah. thanks for that dear It would
have hurt so to have lost everything.
can always think Of that whatever comes.
Do you know, Frank. I love you still, in
spite of all
please don't"
But you owe me something surely,
Frank; a very little-but something: are
you not cOnqueror?"
What do you want?'
Only your friendship. dear. Please be
kind to me until this voyage is over. All,
never fear; I shall have time to expiate
my sins. I hug to my heart no decisions
on That score. I know my fate l am in
lhe power of men who know no mercy
Ihey will either kill me or conhne me in
some terrible prison house, where I shall
~ Att uAtFA l0ltltAESS. GlkN me-
Frank. and grant ME what / ask: il will
hot De Tor long, and is not so very much,
is it dearY'
Iears glistened in madames beautiful
eyes; two big diamond drops that slowly
grew In size trembled on the lashes and
Lileh rolled down her peaeh-like cheeks
she had never appeared more pathetic.
nor more perfect. Her words entered into
Cressingham' heart, for he recognized
the truth Of them. He had been com
PEELED to stand by and witness the tor
turing OF Klein and he could not help
believing that some terrible fate was re-
served for this poor creature. who in
spite of all her crimes was still a woman.
and wonderfully beautiful.
I shall do my best" he murmured
then sighed-'We are all puppets. fate
handled puppets. Kate. What I have done
have been constrained to do. Perhaps
il has been the same with you. I shall
try, at least, to think so, since I am least
worthy in the world 10 be your Judge"
Madame smiled. and dried her eyes.
You are good fellow. Frank. I wish I
might have been better woman: but let