The Washington herald., 1906-10-13
CHAPTER Y.
Francine DIsappears.

Ludwig Won Oeltjcn felt much AT odds
with the world He had been pitchforkei
by tate into "a false position that exposed
his sensitive nature at every step 70 lars
and discords which he was unable prom
erly 10 resent In the first instance he
was compelled 10 play the SPY upon a
man whom he respected and admired. In
other circumstances a warm friendship
might have grown up between himself
and Cressingham. Each was a Young
man of good birth and breeding. Of un-
common intelligence. of upright disposi-
ton And yet they differed sufficiently in
temperament to render their natures mu-
tually attractive. The German was nerv-
Gus, highly strung. ceremOuious. and
strong willcd; the Englishman CAIN. self
centered. and determined. but generous
and obiiging. The pity OF il was they
could not meet on common ground The
relationship between them forbade an en-
tente cordiale. Moreover. Oeltjen was
still deeply IN love with Madame Viyella.
and recent events had shown him Cres-
slngham not only as a successful rival.
but rival Indifferent to success.
it Is hard to watch Unmoved another
win treasure ardeHtly but hOpelessIy
desired. but IL is infinitely harder not 10
hate the person who wins that treasure
without approaching it. Oeltjen had lis
tened TO Madame Niyella lavishing her
love upon Lord Cressingham. That was n
misfortune which as q brave man he could
bear with comp0sure But TO see his rival
disdain the prize which he would have
welcomed as a priceless boon IN spite OF
all things moving To the contrary was
stab 20 his pride and amour propre
which made him Writhe in mental an
guish
Won OeItjen survived this ordeal. and
after "a long and bitter night spent in
struggling with his bad angel. emerged
superior 10 pain and circumstance. his
own c0HqucrOT. He sought Lord Fran
els in the early morning before his pur-
pose could have time 10 cool. and with
out preliminary put the whole case re-
serveiessly before him
The Euglshman. still in bed. listened 10
his quaint apologize from the depths of
bis feather pillows. and without inter
rupting once b. #r.l or sign
Al the end he stretched forth his hand
and said I'm glad you've spoken. old
fellow. ! half saw how it was all along
but was not able TO help myself The
fact is We are just two little puppets in a
game which Is being played by people a
lot more powerful than either of Us.
We are each bound 20 see the thing
through and we are hatefully situated
But its Ho eood kicking; neither OF us
IS 90 blame For r.yseIf ] see no reason
why We shouldn't get along without quar-
relling. At all ems III do my best.
but most depends on YOU, You have the
worst OF the detl by far"
Oeltjeu took his hand
That is kind OF YOU my lord. You
viii forgive me for disturbing you2-'
Disturbing me- That's good. Why.
man. you've acted like a brick" And
after the other had departed he repeated
the word. Brick; yes. that's Just what
he Is. ] wish he was an Englishman,"
which remark showed that Cressingham
appreciated Oeltien's conduct properly
for an EnSlishman can express for a for
eigner no higher form of praise
The count appeared TO interpret his
duties lightly. lie accompanied Crossing
ham at noon 10 Madame ViyelIa's door
step and there left him. although CreS-
singham would have much preferred
stTicter and complete espionage for Sc
cretly he dreaded the approaching inter
view
The countess was reclining at fun
length on a lounge engaged I'm the role
Of partial invalid, salts and essences
about her The room was softly
illumined with some concealed arti-
fetal light. the windows being heav-
ily draped with dark purple curtains 80
exclude the light She looked very Jan
guid ana lovely. ana her pose. If studied.
was q work of highest art. for ali traces
0f art We're absolutely wanting.
Speak softly please. Frank" she
murmured; my head aches.
He took "a chair near by and watched
her silently FOR so long that at last she
raised her low lidded eyes and looked
az him.