Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-19

otis expectations, passed IN absolute
sS-=-:=.s tranquility. She saw neither the Count
lSSKNI nor Jibaloff, yet Madame: Desire
came to her in the evening, and they dined to-
eether in solitary, state. The girl had done
hard DAYS work and was weary, but before the
meal was over she was sent for by her grand
father and Francine saw nothing of her until
noon of the next day.
Then Desire was able to inform her of the
reason of the strange inactivity that prevailed
at the chateau The Count and Jibaloff were
waiting with the gravest anxiety for the arrival
of Madame's husband, the Prince. 1t seemed
that telegram had arrived saying that he had
been suddenly taken ill.
Desire said that she had never known her
grandfather to be so disquieted. He appeared
to be expecting some catastrophe, and had Just
taken the extreme step of ordering his own yacht
to be Immediately dispatched to the island. Mean
while he passed the time in his library with
Madame and Jibaloff gambling for high stakes
with the Turk at cards and dice He had been
losing very heavily, and was very bad-tempered
and upset.
The Turk also was uneasy and distrait. His
yacht was kept under steam and was prepared
at an instants notice to depart
Late in the afternoon, however, change came
Ger the spirit of the scene Servants who had
been before busily engaged in taking up carpets
and hurredly packing up the more valuable fur
niture of the chateau suddenly disappeared to
reappear after an interval and Just as hurriedy
| undo their previous work Like a swarm of
bees they buzzed about putting everything again
| in order, and at the expiration of hour the
| castle wore its old appearance of calm magnih-
cence.
message was soon afterwards brought to
Francne commanding her array herself in her
richest costume and dine with the Count in the
| old mans library that evening. She guessed
| by that time that the Counts fears had been by
some means allayed. She prepared to obey the
| summons, but her heart told her that the fatal
moment Of her life had almost arrived, and dur
ing her toilet she often fingered the knife which
| she had stolen, with feeling of despairng
ISOLATION, recognizing it last friend whose as
sstance she must presently rely upon if she wish
| ed to save herself from indgnity and outrage,
worse to her mind thousand times than deatI
Dinner was already served when she entered
the library The host and guests were already
seated, the Count at the head of the table, his
| two dumb attendants at usual one each side
his chair, the chain that joined them stretched
at full extent behind the old mans back. Madame
sat on his left hand, gorgeously arrayed, Jibaloff
beside her. while Desire was placed directly op-
posite her father, thus leaving vacant chair on
the Counts right hand The old man was posi-
lively beaming.
| Francine caught fragment of his words ''When
luck turns it turns. Yesterday and this morn
| ing all was against me, but with the Princes
message the goddess smiled upon me. This morn
ing you were a mighty winner, now you owe me
ten thousand pounds. Tonight 1 shall beggar
you, my friend. ="
Jibaloff replied with forced smile eve shall
see sir, we shall see. Dame Fortune is ever
tickle mistress to depend upon"
At that moment they became conscious of Miss
Ellotts presence and turned to look at her
The girl had never appeared beautiful She
formed picture which both men appreciated
with sharply indrawn breath of admiration, but
the Counts propretorial instincts were soon ex-
cited by the contemplation of such loveliness and
the impression which she had made upon the
Turk
"This," he said in French recovering himself
hastily, "is the lady whom l told you Of Sit
down, Miss Elliott"
The Turk arose, and slipping round the table
placed her chair: i am delighted to make your
acquaintance, Miss Elliott" he muttered in her
| ear.
The Count heard and chuckled softly to him
self
To ne Continued Next Sunday