Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-22

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in the one direction that am almost sure. He
intends TO sell me TO some hateful friend of his,
a Turk, think, for he is expecting a visit from
a Turk"
'My, Godl" cried Cressingham, che would never
dare?"
"Ah Frank what would he not dare? In pity
promise me, dear love"
| Cressineham kissed her on the lips. Darling,
if an hour before noon find all hope gone it shall
be as you wish, we shall die together"
The girl arose, and took from the bosom Of her
dress small but vicious looking dagger, jewel
hilted, which she gave to her lover. 81 stole it
from the Counts own room," she said, 'the very
! first night that l arrived here Let it be with
thisl"
He nodded, and concealed the blade about him.
and presently Francine slipped from the room
to change her gown. When she had gone Cress
ingham paced the room awhile, then, practical
man that he was, crammed both his pockets with
eatables from the unceared table. Miss Elliott
returned very soon wrapped in long, grey cloak,
and was his guide from the chateau.
Guards there we're none, the doors were all on
latch, and no living soul appeared to be on watch
The girl led the way behind the house to where
a flight of stone steps, similar to those he had
climbed with Madame the previous night, stretch
ed winding upwards to the mountain top. Up
these they toiled, and in half an hour had gained
the summit, where splendid view extended on
all sides for a vast distance
Cressngnam saw at q glance now small was tne
island on which they rested. It lay like gleam-
ing green jewel in a sapphire sea, for save for
few small clearings its mountainous sides were
covered with dense thckets Of olive-tinted shrubs
Looking sheer down the steps he marked how
cunningly the house was perched
| The yacht which had carried him from Naples
had completely vanished, and not sail was in
sight.
! He noticed about half mile from the chateau,
small stone boathouse that defended by cop
| ing Of high rocks, seemed to little distance
from the land. for the waves Tapped at its sides
with curling tongues of spray. Straining his eyes
seawards, he espied, dozen miles northeast the
outline of another island which seemed, as near
as he could Judge, of more important size than
Attala
Cressngham pointed to the boat-house. "What
is kept there, Francine"
IT am not sure, Frank for no one is allowed
in there except Desire, the Counts grandson who
has always been my mentor and companion (he is
only boy Frank. Desire told me as a secret
| that his grandfather, the Count, uses it work
shop, and spends great deal of time there on
boat which he is building Of steel and aluminium.
This it seems, is the old mans single hobby"
"Ha, should like to see the inside of that boat
house, Francine!"
"No use, dear. have tried, but it is built of
solid stone, and its one door, which is of plated
steel, is always locked Desire even dared not
take me there.
The lovers spent two hours on the lookout
hand in hand, Cressingham always gazing sea-
wards, rackng his brains for an idea, some plan
which might offer tiny chance to win him his
desires. But hope to cheer him. Every
chance of escape was inevitably removed and
despair grim visaged spectre, came at last, and
stared him in the face. A brave man, he fought
the phantom off. and assuming an aspect of cheer
fulness which almost deceived the girl, invited
her to sit upon the steps and share his breakfast
IL L. l.
ly.
He forced laugh Must my sweetheart
never could think properly on empty stomach.
Come along, darling, we'll have to clear out of
this soon, you know, and it's pretty fairish
journey we'll be taking"
"a long journey, indeed" sighed the girl; "a
Journey from which there will be no returning"
''Wel who wants to come back here, anyway"
demanded Cressingham, forcing himself to seem
lighthearted The girl sat down beside him and
watched him eat with wide but tender eyes
''You cannot deceive me, Frank" she muttered
presently ''you are forcing yourself"
"Not l." he cried. "Come, come, sweetheart,
it's barely eight O'Clock; we have four hours yet.
BY love- who is that"
The girl followed his gesture, and saw wander
ing along the beach the graceful figure of lad
who carried a bundle slung across his shoulders
'rIts Desire going to the boat-house," she re
piled.
They watched the boy lightly climb some boud-
ers then arriving at the boat-house open the
door, enter and disappear, the door closing be-
hind him.
"He must need light to work by" objected
Cressingham; "perhaps the building opens on the
bay"
''No, dear; it can open there, think for there
is big iron door, but It dips right into the water,
and is always closed; he works by electricity, /
think"
ICXNbat sOrt Of lad is this Desire ~
"a real sweet boy" said Francine. "He hates
this island bitterly. He has always been shut up
here. He is very clever, think; he knows all
about science and electricity, and that sort OF
! thing. / have heard him argue with the Count
who is n very learned man, Frank to do him JUS
tice-but each time Desire held his own. Desire
,, works early and date in that boat-house, only
coming ont for his heath's sake. for his grand
father has promised him, il the boat is success
that he shall go to some university in England"
'T see; but is not the lad mixed up with the
, Nihilists"
, had to be. but he loathes them in his heart"
'Francine. this boy might help us il we could
get to him"
, , "Ah. dear, he is only a lad What could he
do"
. ale might give us a key to unlock one of those
! boats Only think of it, Francine. See! my
. God one of the boats is fitted up with oars and
! sails. There is not a living soul the beach OF
near It, Great heaven, let go at once If we
could steal away now, we should get good star
and with a wind! Francne, was I not right t.
eat? Please God, I'll get you safe off yet"
The girls eyes had taken sudden light of hop,
reflected perhaps from his, for the man was neal
. frantic with excitement, Joining hands, the,
.. commenced the descent like pair of eager chill
dren but had not proceeded twenty yards before
turn of the winding steps brought them TO it'll.
platform and face to face with Madame Katherir
W