Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-08

k%fTt&J with fear and trembling Tempted
however, by the smooth and gliding
motion of the yacht, he left his cabin and weakly
made his way up the companion stairs. He found
Madame the Countess of Hobenstein, reclining at
full length on deck lounge, and in that position
holding small court composed OF Captain fag
erholm, Colonel Elliott and Prince Carlos all OF
whom were paying her every possible attention
When she caught sight Of the new conner, she
promptly dismissed the others, ordering them
away with quite regal indifference to their tee
ings. Cressingham was glad to take one OF the
vacated chairs, for he felt anyhow" but Mad
anne noting his pallor recalled Prince Carlos and
commanded him to bring her bottle of cham
pagne. The Prince gave black scowl at MS
rival, but obeyed, although he did not return in
person. Madame made Cressingham drink quite
half the bottle, and slipped glass herself.
''What liar you are, Frank my boy! she
murmured presently, regarding him with little
engmatical smile.
His face flushed little. "Tu quoque," he an
swered her.
$50 they have me by the heels at last, and
you, the man l loved, have done it. No other
could have Not Perigord with all his millions
and his minions."
Don't make scene, please; Pm not equal to
it,"
ooh, Of course not. You may ruin me, but |
must not make a scene about it! What fool
was wasn't I?'
whats done-is done, Kate"
"The funny part of it is that don't yet know
whether I hate or love you most. l ought to hate
you, shouldn't I?''
"Oh, hate me if you choose"
"You don't care, is that it? Did you fool me
with your love as well?'
Madame rose to her elbow, her eyes glitter
ing Cressingham felt too ill to tribe with
her. especially as there was no longer any need
to do so. 81 have known you exactly for what
you are, these weeks pas" he said wearily.
Madame was silentsfor quite time, then she
muttered in very low voice: Il understand
now a lot that previously puzzled me- thought
you were so good, so minded, SO honorable
Tell me, Frank, did you ever really care for meT'
"Once."
"Ah, thanks for that, dear. 1t would have
hurt so to have lost everything 1 can always
think of that whatever comes. Do you know
Frank, love you still, in spite of all"
please don't"
"But you owe something surely, Frank;
very little-but something; are you not conquer
orr"
what do you want?'
to me until this voyage is over. All, never
fear; shall have time to expiate my sins. hug
to my heart no delusions on that score. I know
my fate | in the power of men who know
mercy. They will either kill confne
me in some terrible prison house, where | shall
grow old in utter loneliness. Pity me, Frank,
and grant me what / ask; it will not be for
long, and is not so very much, is it, dear?"
Tears gstened in Madames beautiful eyes, two
big diamond drops that slowly grew in size trem-
bled the lashes and then rolled down her
peach-like cheeks. She had never appeared more
pathetic, nor more perfect Her words entered
into Cressingham's heart, for he recognized the
truth in them. He had been compelled to stand
by and witness the torturing of Klein, and he
could not help believing that some terrible fate
was reserved for this poor creature, who in spite
of all her crimes was still a woman, and wonder
fully beautiful.
"I shall do my best" he murmured, then sighed
1--WE are all puppets, fathanded puppets, Kate
What | have done I have been constrained to
do. Perhaps it has been the with you.
shall try at least to think so, since / am least
worthy in the world to be your Judge"
Madame smiled, and dried her eyes. "You are
good fellow, Frank. | wish l might have been
better woman; but let us try to forget. We
joy-after that, for me at least, the deluge!"
She cried out suddenly: Captain Fagerholml
Colonel Elliott"
The gentlemen hurried to her delighted to have
been recalled to grace. Cressingham noted with
amaze that each was already devoted slave
even the Colonel, in spite of his three-seore
years and patchwork liver,
81 am going to give dinner partyl" said
Madame; "a dinner party on deck, may ~"
"Why certainly said the Captain heartily.
"That is provided you invite me-
Gas if there were need for that proviso," said
Madame with a look that brought flush to the
Captains cheeks. "My guests shall be; His
Highness Prince-Caros you call him. is it not
so? Lord Francis. Colonel Elliott and you Cap
tain-ah, you will have the place of honor on my
right hand; are you not my guardian, eh?' She
gave a ripping, mellow laugh "Then after din
ner, if you very good, shall feed you with
sugar rlums as a reward of virtue. Are you not
charmed?"
utterly, Madame responded all.
''Then to you. Captain, give the task of see
ing that everything is properly prepared. See
to it, my reputation is in your hands. II is now
eleven; we shall dine at eight, and here where
the deck is so nice and wide, by the light Of the
stars apd electricity"
Madame ratified on and kept her court the
whole day occupied with her pretty coquetres
and Ighthearted merriment She showed herself
perfect mistress of the art of entertainment
and not dull moment was allowed to any near
her. so full she was of life and sparkling spirits
so fluent her conversation, so manifold her moods
and methods of engrossing male attention
Cressingham, who knew something by expert
ence oe Madames powers of fascination, was
nevertheless completely dazzled by her latest ef
fort, for never before had he witnessed her
exert herself so thoroughly to please. He was
charmed with the result, and reflected with a
measure of sadness on the wantonness with which
nature had bestowed such precious gifts. But the
yacht had commenced to roll little during the
- Il II A.