Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-24

'I watt" she said.
"For what?"
"Surey-your excuses"
'I cannot apologize yet, Katherin; am uncon-
vinced"
She thought moment, thinking deeply.
do you know, Frank" she said at last, "no
man has ever nsulted me but you do not like
it. have mind not to bother trying to con-
vince you--a mind to let you CO."
"In that case, Madame" He arose, hat
in hand.
| Her eyes opened wide. "You would go; you
would dare leave me?' she gasped
He nodded
| She stared at him, turning pale as death, then
cried of a sudden
GO then. Never let me see your face again" !"
He bowed and obeyed, but from the door heard
| low, painful moan. He turned. Madame vi
yella was sobbing as though her heart would
break.
Cressingham found an echo of her emotion in
his own heart Madame Viyela was very beauti-
full, though her face not of classic type.
1t was no sense of duty which prompted him to
take the woman in his arms and press hot kisses
on her crimson tear-vvet mouth Nor did single
recollection of his sweetheart come to intervene
when, Madame's bosom next his heart, his nerves
thrilled and his blood took fire at her siren
| sweetness.
And siren at that moment was Madame. Her
tears soon dried, she rested in his arms content
edly, and looked at him with burning heavy lid
ded eyes, her parted lips occasionally giving forth
| a sob or deep sigh.
| Madame had won. He was hers, hers at last
she told herself exultantly. With swift 1.-THE
movement she rose and stood before him, her
| dark hair falling in shower below her waist.
He rose too, breathing hard.
| She took his hand and put it to her heart,
which beat within its cage wild impassioned
prisoner. ct is yours!" she whispered; "all, all
yours, do you believe me now?"
| "Katherin!" The cry was struggling one; he
was fighting for control.
The woman smiled to see She sat upon the
lounge and drew him down beside her. Foolish
| boy, you are still jealous. Really, it was my
father, Frank. I know it is hard for you to be-
| lieve but it is true. l cannot tell you his name,
dear nor anything about him. He is great per-
| son. and | am only his natural daughter. He
sometimes visits me, but always secretly. Were
our relationship once suspected-I should see
him no more, and, Frank, he is the only near
friend that I have. I should not tell you any
thing of this All, how l trust you!"
Trust me more. What is his name?'
The woman smiled at him. "You are an hon
orable man. dear, are you not? You would not
break your word, much less an oath?"
| "Ah"
'T am oath.bound, Frank You would not coun-
sci me to break my vow. But ah for your sake
anything Am I not yours, soul as we'll as body?
Dear one, order me to break my oath! Are you
not my master"
Cressingham was beaten. Honest as steel him
i self he answered frankly as another of as pure
calibre. az have no right to ask that Of you,
i Katherin"
"Then let us talk of love!" she cried, "since
we are now together here with nought at last but
love between U.S..
Fate saved him for the moment There came
servant with message for Madame; a person
had called to see her who was of too exalted
rank for cavalier dismissal She got to her feet,
Jealous light in her eyes and anger unconcealed;
she hated 30 to let him go, but she whispered
in his ear some burning words and Cressingham
left her pledged to return that very night.
The cold calm light of the day without offered
a sudden blight to his still tnglng senses, chill
ing the blood that still throbbed insolently in his
veins He remembered Miss Elliott then and
realized the depths into which he had almost
fallen. the abyss on whose brink he still stood
tottering. He remembered too the task which
, he had undertaken, and saw himself double
failure; a traitor to his duty traitor to his
love,
In an almost reckless mood he called upon Col
onel Vernon. his commanding officer, kindly
old soldier who had not fathered a crack regi-
youth and who bore the reputation of being len
lent to all faults those that tarnished honor
To him Cressngham made full confession of his
Russian fiasco save only that he gave names,
He left the Colonel feeling half satisfied that an
undiscovered sin is at most only half a sin. This
moral obliuuity of vision furnished him with an
excuse to keep his appointment with Miss Elliott,
in spite Of the mornings treacheries.
The butler answered the door, a man whom
Cressingham knew we'll and had often liberally
tipped; he seemed distrait and disturbed today,
and his welcome was ELUSIVE.
Miss Elliott at home, Adams"
The butler followed him into the library. "Ah,
my lud, I'm 80 glad you've come, my lud" The
man seemed so upset and anxious that Crossing
ham involuntarily felt concerned.
"Your mistress is not ill., Adams"
'No, my lud; leastwise hope Motive all hope
not. But, my lud, I'll"
Cressingham saw over the mans shoulder the
faces of two servants peering anxiousy upon
them from the passage without.
'What the dickens is the matter?" he demand
ed somewhat testify.
"The fact is, my lud, Miss Elliott went out last
night to sing at concert-and- -and-she hasn't
come home yet
''But" stammered Cressingham, ''she-she-I
have an appointment to see her here at four"
The buffers face lighted up Immediately. "Ah,
then, my lud she'll be back directly 1 expect"
81 expect she has spent the night with some
lady friend, Adams" he said kindly Certainly
/ shall not mention what you have said; your
nxety for her does you credit ="
"Thank you, my lud," Adams went slowly out
and closed the door,
He paced the floor for a solitary hour in a fever
of impatience At the end of that time he dog
gedly resolved TO see the thing out, and lighting
the gas took book and settled himself in a