Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-29
when he beats rne. I could not even trr 70 harm

him"
Cressingham was silent, and the lad continued,
speaking almost apologetically: "You see, my
Lord, have always lived with him, and some
times he has been kind to me. Besides, have
never been able TO harm anyone or anything
When grandfather has any of the negroes fog
ged, it hurts me almost as much. am sure as
it does them, and their cries ring in my ears Tor
days / always have TO away"
In spite of his keen disappointment, Crossing
ham could not help feeling sincere respect rise
In his heart for this strange, sweetnatured boy,
who had grown up pure and good amidst tes.
tering mass of evil and Of crime. II should not
have asked you to kill your grandfather, Desire,
he said quietly. "0nly to help Miss Elliott and
me TO escape and to yourself accompany us
Then we should be able with your help to frus-
trate the Counts diaboHc purposes, and per
haps nay surely, save the lives of great and
good men whom he hates because of their good
ness and his own wickedness."
The boy shook his head. 'I would love to es-
cape" he said, "but that is not possible"
Cressngham pointed to the silver boat: Not
with the help Of that? Even without engines,
with oars and a sail we could manage"
Desire blushed at this, and muttered in low
voice, his eyes on the floor: II scarcely like to
tell you, sir"
Speak, Desire"
"You may think me foolish and wicked"
"No, / promise not to-"
"Well, ever since you spoke to me last night,
I've been thinking Of what you said. know
you are right and kind and good, and ! am
wrong and wicked although want terribly to
do what you say. but can't, because
| "Well?"
| Because he trusts me-"
"Trusts YOU, does he2 Didn't he take the
plates from you, thenT
Desire gasped: Eyes, but have the key Of the
4 u IL ko frTfcf M
he'd have taken that first.
| Cressngham almost groaned. have you CIV
| en- him your word!"
mo, l wouldn't mind so much If he had asked
me for that He Just trusted me because he felt
he could. 1 couldn't disappoint him, could l.
sir@
"You ought TO- Desire, If you really desired to
do right. If, say, you had promised TO XII man.
would you keep your word!
"No, but that is not trust, not silent trust.
qf BY keeping that trust my life Is sacrificed,
what then?"
The boy got slowly to his feet and answered
gravelv: ''I should be sorry, my Lord
"Ahl"
"oRut if nv own life were to be sacrificed as
we'll as yours l would still do the same because
I could not do anything else" >.
"You are hard, my boy; hard and obstinate. :,
Desire drew himself suddenly erect and walked
Immediately to the tunnel door, which ne threw
wide. '"You had better return, sir, to the cav
ern," he said coldy; "you cannot miss 1t II you
take the first turning to the right. Your lamp
and food are there l shall visit you tomorrow.
''Why this sudden change, DesireT
The boys lips trembled, but he stared Cres-
singham straight in the eyes. Look you, my
Lord" he sad ri have spoken to you just as
l used to speak to the able, ana tola you al
about mvself Just as | am, because you asked
me 7 cannot help myself I am as / was made
and cannot alter But because cannot bring
mvself To do what you want, you insulted me
and called me names" At this he gave great
sob. and to Cressinghams utter amaze oroke
down and wept like veritable girl.
| The man was entirely nonplussed, and for a
time could only stare silently at the boys shak-
inc 6gure He watched his chest heave up and
Jowne with big choking sobs; he saw the tears
+;ol,le through his fingers and fall to the ground
in a perfect stream. Quite unnerved by the
SIGHT he tried to soothe him and muttered apoi-
ogies hut Desire seemed heart-broken and wept
on unreservedly Cressingham' paVVeo nm on
tbe shoulder with one hand and passed MS free
orr, round the boys slender body, marveling to
and how slight he was and 1.-the. Then with a
sudden oasp of sheer astonlshment ne started
bacE. in a flash of light dozen mysteries hav-
inc been explained to him. Desire was girl!
@Good Cod" he cried sharply, what is the
meaning of this? 49,
His sudden start anu
.oif-oontroI She ceased her sobs and looked up
tLrougb her tears "What?" she muttered.
\ 'rYou are a girl" he cried
uor FACE turned scarlet the instant, ana
sha watched him as if fascinated, her Dig snln-
inc ewes staring at him strangely
9p,+ are YOU sure?" she demanded breath
lessy
He eyed her with deep suspicion, wondering
:t m I'll, ;nnocence could be all assumed. "You
| - ba.e eaid halfanor1ly
.IIo,y could know" she cried. "I have sus-
,.o.+od en- for great while, and once | asked
grandfather, but he beat me cruelty for asking
him the question, and l have never dared ask
anybody else >, u,-.S r,...u;., -,
feeling somehow his flesh begin to creep; do
,,o, mean to say you don't know yourself!
Dss;re,s lips trembled pitifully. please don't
snaaL to me like that; / can't help it, my Lord.
There has never been anybody to tell me things
''What, not your mother!
"Sbe Is never here, or almost never, and
have always been too ashamed to speak to her.
It seemed SO foolish too II l am am dressed hke
how. must be boy mustn't II
Gressingham felt a burning indignation surge
war hin, against the monstrous creatures who
had narented this sweet, soft-hearted child. He
had hated them all before, with the exception
nsrhans of Madame, but he now regarded them
with feelings of utter loathing and abomination
Refors they had seemed devilishy inhuman
now now thew appeared to him entirely fendish. He
;ntsntlv watched the girl who had for moment
forgotten his presence in sudden deep, rapt
contemplation
She nodded, watching him breathlessly.
"Go." he said, "go quietly to your mother, tell
her that you know. She will make you under
"But if l am really a boy?" she cried paline
suddenly; and the man revered her for the