The Washington herald., 1906-10-10

third finger of her left hand. A mans
signet il was, cut from "A single piece of
chrysOphrase. GncOusciOusly Crossing
hams eyes followed her action, and when
ne saw the ring he started visibly and
cried. You wear that still, Fran-41iss
Elliott
lne girl smiling compOsediy. drew the
ring from her finger and held il out 10
him. 4 have worn il for the last fort
night, my lord, hoping for chance 20
return 81 10 you. The chance has now
arrived"
The man took the ring and weighed il
carefully upon his palm. his eyes down
east. Il have no right 90 ask you %
keep it," he murmured.
Miss Elliott laughed merrily- Really.
Lord Francis YOU grow quite amusing.
do J seem 20 want IT."
He looked up and caught the challenge
in her glance. NO he replied.
You spoke just now OF au excuse said
Miss Elliott.
Capt Lethby was here. I wanted 10
stay-to say something to YOU.
"WeH?'
1T is something impertinent. don't
know how % put H."
Then leave 10 unsaid. please. J hate TO
be out Of friegds with people. Lord
Francis, but / don't think ] could suffer
an impcrtinence-"
Lord Francis looked excessively un-
comfortable III only your father were
/ in England he sighed.
"Oh, it is advice you want TO offer me- -
cried the girl. amused
Yes. advice. that IS IT," Tie caught
eagerly at the word. ~Advice-yes. a
4 piece of advice which ] would not dare
ada q G.
at heart, Miss Elliott
His face grew passiOuateIy earnest rs
1 he spoke. and the girl found herself in
voluntarily growing earliest too.
1 speak, then, she said.
/ 1T is about that w0man"-he groaned
/ out the words with an effort that was
painfully transpareut-'who was here just
now; the Countess of Hobenstein."
"Ahr' the girls eyes flashed and she
clasped her hands across her knee. BE
! careful, Lord Francis 1 like that
woman, as you call her"
/ The man almost EToaned- For heav-
/ ems sake don't allow yourself to like
/ her. he cried. she means YOU harm
/ yes. Francine. she means you HARM"
'FranCinet" echoed Miss Elliott. spring
I ing to her feet: you have no right 10
name ne so, and less to speak IN of my
I friends. How dare y1u say such a thing
I 10 me OF the CoUutess-and behind her
/ backg'
! Cressingham arose too. Il dare. Miss
! Elliott, because !. / ouce-'-(he gulprd
| down a breath}-'be because 7 wish 10 be
your friend and surely it IS a friend
part 10 warn his friend when there is
danger. Pardon me one moment Please
ler me speak. I know that what I am
saying will cut me off from your ac-
qUaintanCe for all time. but say il
| must. SO that AT all hazards Won b.
warned. That woman has been my ruin
/ waat0nly and deliberately she wrecked
my career. and, not yet satisfied. she now
pursues me with professions OF affection
Recently she has chosen 10 regard YOU "a,
| a rival / think that she Is mad. At nj
| events she is dangerous, I believe tha,
| she hates you. 7 know that she viii try
TO do you harm
My lordr' Miss Elliott seemed trying
not to laugh
Forgive me- Miss Elliott. what I have
said must sound 20 YOU horribly absurd
and egOtisticaL But for all that I pledg,
YOU my honor Il is true I felt that il
was my duty 20 warn you. even though &
has only worked me further injury.
Time will show, my lord, said Mis-.
Elliott COldly.
left" The words were spoken with sucl
unaffected sadness that the girls hear
was touched She moved a step nearer
% the man and put her hand timidll
upon his arm.
Lord Francis. IL what you say IS true
why do you, why dc you perseycre in az
acquaintance which appears 20 you 5,
evil?"
He looked at her graveIy. his eyes ful
Of melancholy. I cannot answer you
Miss Elliott"
The girl drew herself erect. and survey
cd him with a chilling smile 7 think
understand. Lord Francis. I thank yoi
for tie warning. Perhaps it was kindl,
meant. Need I detain you longer?"
NO" Cressingham bowed low. Good
by" He stood gazing at her implor
ingly.
But Miss Elliott. turning her back. cross
ed the room to ring the bell
"GoOd-by.' she replied. without lOOkin;
at him; and with a quick sigh he de
parted.
When the girl was quite alone she sanI
into a deep armchair and thought thes,
words aloud: L suppose I can't be
proper sort of woman, certainly not IN,
sort that one reads about in improvinl
books. ] know I ought TO feel fright
fully indignant. the outraged divinity
business. and ali that. But I don't biz
I love Frank Cressingham. and I don
care much who knows It, so long as h,
does not As for that woman. she Ia.
fascinated him, of course, but ! don't be
lieve he loves her. I can feel that she /.
not a good woman. Any way anC
whether or not, she is not going 10 keeI
him. He is too good for her, and I wan
him; yes want him. want him with al
my heart"
Then Miss Elliott went to her bedroom
locked the door. threw herself upon he
bed, and wept unreservedly for quite ter
minutes,
CONTINUED TOMORROW.