Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1905-1906, 1906-02-08


Eixes him but keeps his own council.
CHAPTER xv.-An account or the
Iownfall or Col. Annesiey. who previous
to the opening of this story lost his
Lwn and his daughters money al Monte
sario. He is approached by the young
RUSSIAN diplomat Count Karlon. VINO
pans him $4,000. and tempts him by
owns how he can make r o 0y
Military SECRETS 10 Russia.
CHAPTER XVI
THE PREVIOUS AFFAIR.
Mrs. Chadwick had completed her
pilet and now stood smiling in most
friendly fashion at the reflection in
he long oval mirror. She addressed
bis reflection in melodious tones.
Madam. you are really handsome:
nd let no false modesty whisper in
our ear that you are not. Few women
q Washington have such clear skin.
UGH firm flesh. such color. Thirty
light? 1t is nothing. 1t is but the
halfway post: one has left youth be-
ind. but one has not reached old age.
fine must be very tolerant. for he
as given you q careful selection.
here were no years of storm and
loverty, Of violent passions; and II
ave truly loved. II has been you, only
ou You are too wise and worldly
o love any one but yourself. And yet.
nee you stood on the precipice Of dark
yes. pale skin. and melancholy
wrinkles. And even now, II he were
D speak Enough! Enough Of
his folly have something to ac-
omplish tonight" She glided from
he boudoir into the small but luxuri-
us drawing-room which had often
cen graced by the most notable men
nd women In the country
Karloff threw aside the book of
oems by De Banville, rose. and went
prward to meet her.
Madam, blending and brushing
er hand with his lips, Madam, you
row handsomer every day. II were
o. now, I should fear for your single
lessedness."
COR, II I we're two-and-twenty, in
tead of eight-and-thirty." -beginning
D draw on her long white gloves.
here was q challenge In her smile,
We'll, yes: II you were two-and-
wenty." @ Ash
There was q time not long ago."
he said. drawing his gaze % . magnet
raws . needle, when the disparity
! years was Of no matter"
The count laughed. "That was three
ears ago; and II my memory serves
ae, you smiled" ..
Perhaps I was nrst to smile: that
B all"
81 observe Q mental reservation."-
wlishly.
II will put It plainly. then. pre-
erred to smile over your protestations
ather than SEQ you laugh over the
disability and the folly OF my loving
ou."
"Then 1t was possible ?"-with inter
st.
Everything is possible and
item absurd" "a III .-s...,.. .s.t
How do you know that was not
July in love with you?"-narrowing
Is eyes," ..
1T Is not explanatory; 1t can be
ven only one name-instinct. which
women and animals is more fully
sveloped than in man. Besides. at
lat time you had not learned all about
olonel Annesley. whose guests we are
be this evening Whoever would
ave imagined Karloff accepting the
ospitalities of an Annesley? Count
ath not thy rose canker?"
Madam" Karloff was frowning.
Count. you look like a paladin when
)u scowl: but scowling never induces
lything but wrinkles. That Is why
women frown so seldom. We smile.
ut let us return to your query. Sup
,sing I had accepted your declarations
,riously: supposing you had offered
9 marriage in that burst of gratitude:
opposing had committed the folly
becoming a countess. what a posi-
on | should be in to-day!"
II do not understand. "-perplexedly
'No?"-shrugging. She held forth a
owed arm. Have you forgotten how
lllantly you used to button my
oves?"
"A thousand pardons! My mind was
coupled with the mystery Of your
ng superstition" He took the arm
'acefully and proceeded to slip the
,arl buttons through their holes.
lave you ever buttoned the gloves
a handsome woman? have And
ere Is subtle thrill about the pro-
eding which can not quite define.
erhaps It is the nearness of physical
sauty: perhaps 1t Is the delicate scent
flowers; perhaps 1t Is the touch
the cool, firm flesh: perhaps 1t In
st romance.) The gaze which she
mt upon his dark head was emotion
yet there was not the slightest
emor of arm or fingers 1t is possi-
q that she desired him to observe the
badness OF her nerves What did
~ mean?" he asked. e EI t0E#
what did I ?"-vaguely. Her
= ought had been elsewhere sHafJ "a