Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-22

mighty oak table which had been table
when the second Mohammed ravaged Bcs-
MIA.
The men were hungry enough and they
ate and drank with good appetite. Perhaps
1t was with some relief that they discovered
a greater leniency within the house than
they had found without Discomfort IS Of
ten the ally of fear; and whatever were
the dement's Of the House at Setchevo, the
discomforts were relatively trifiing. As for
the old blind chevalier he sat at the head
of the table just as though he had eyes 10
watch their every movement and to judge
them thereby. Not until they had made
good meal of delicious coffee and fine
white bread, with eggs and dish OF Kol-
esha in stiff square lump from the pan
not until then did he intrude with a word,
or appear in any way anxious to question
them.
You pay a tribute to our mountain air,
he exclaimed at last, speaking a little to
their establishment in their own tongue;
that is your English virtue, you can eat
at any time"
And some OF US are equally useful IN the
matter Of drinking" rejoned Arthur Ken
yon, who had begun TO enjoy himself again,
and was delighted to hear the English Ian
Suage.
The chevaller, however. believed this to
be some reflection upon his hospitality, and
he said at once;
Il compliment you upon your frankness,
mein herr-rny servants shall bring wine.
"Oh, indeed no. l referred to a very bad
habit" exclaimed Kenyon quickly and then
rising, he added, with your permission.
sir, will leave you with my friend. I'M
sure you have both much to say to each
other
He did not wait for a reply, but strolled
off to the other end of the hall and thence
out to the courtyard, no man saying him
nay. Alone together, the cheyelier and
Gavin sat few moments in awkward 81
lence, each debating the phrase with which
he should open the argument. Meanwhile
a Turkish servant brought cigarettes, and
the old man lighted one, but Immediately
cast 1t from him.
THE blind cannot smoke" he said irri-
tabiy; that is one of the compensattons
of life which imagination cannot give US.
Well, am too old to complain-Iny world
lies within these walls. 1t Is wide enough
for me-"
II am indeed sorry" said Gavin, for suf-
fering could always arouse his sympathies
wherever he found 1t. is there no hope
at all of any relef?"
None whatever. The nerves have per-
ished. So much 1 owe to my English friend
ship-the last gift 1t bestowed upon me.
Shall l tell you by what means became
blind, mein herr? Go down to the salt
mines at Okna, and when they blast the
rock there you will say: Georges Odin, the
Englishman's friend, lost hts eyesght in
that mine 1t IS true before God. And the
man who put this calamity upon me-what
of him? rich man. mein herr. honored by
the world, a great noble in his own country,
a leader of the people, the possessor of
much land and many houses. He sent me
to Okna We were boys together on the
hills. II he shamed me in the race for all
that young men geek of life suffered 1t be-
cause of my friendship. Then the night
fell upon me-you know the story. He took
from me the woman l loved. We met as
men of honor should. avenged the wrong
my God what vengeance with the Rus
sian hounds upon my track ana the fortress
prison already garnished for me! Mem
herr you knew of this story or you would
not have come to my house Tell me what
shall add to 1t, for 1 listen patiently"
He was a fine old actor and the melo-
dramatic gesture with which ne acconpa-
MED the recital would have made deep
impression upon one less given TO cool
analysis and reticent common sense than
Gavin Ord. Gavin, indeed. had thought
upon this strange history almost night and
day since Lord Melbourne had first related
It II he had come to have a settled opinion
upon 1t ell, nothing that had yet t.-anspired
upon his journey from England Altered that
opinion or even modified 1t. This blind man
he believed to have been the victim OF the
Russian government. Lord melbourne nad
acted treacherousiy In making no attempt
to release his old rival from the mines; put
had he SO attempted his efforts must have
been futile-for the Russians believed that
Georges Odin was their most relentless en-
envy and had pursued him with bitter ana
lasting luminosity. So the affair stood IN
Gayirl's ratnd-ror was he influenced In any
way by the forensic appeal now addressed
to him. 80
story, chevalier and am here because OF
it. Let me say In word that come be-
cause Lord Melbourne is anxious and ready,
in 30 far as It Is possible to do SO, to atone
for any wrong he may have done you. He
desires nothing so much as that you two.
who were friends In boyhood, should be rec
oAciled now when years must be rernem-
bered and the accidents of life be provided
for. SO he sends me to Bucharest to invite
YOU to England there to hear him for him
self and to tell him how best he may serve
YOU / can add nothing to that invitation
save my own belief In his honesty. and in
the reality Of those motives which now ac-