The Washington herald., 1906-11-08

with regard to herself. and she hasten
ed 10 take advantage of his mood of
garrulity. Am I TO stay on this island
alWays?" she asked. TREMENDOUSLY.
The old man surveyed her with mock
ing smile, and answered presently: why,
no. not always-at least / think not. To-
morrow you will be presented to Jibaloff,
and II he is satisfied with your appear
anee, and I with the price he offers, you
will shortly change your state.
What do you mean?" gasped Fran
cine.
81 mean that you viii become Jiba-
loffs sixtieth or seventeth wife; / don I
quite know the extent Of his domestic
arrangements. Perhaps, however, the ras-
cal may reserve you for his master, in
which case you will have a royal hus-
band. Does not the prospect please your
Il would kill myself first.' cried the
girl
The count laughed and answered brutal
ly: AT least live until I have Jibalon s
money I have no objection to your
cheating the Turk OF his bargain. but
wait till then; if you love me. wait till
then"
He made a sign at that moment, and
his two dumb attendants at once hurried
forward. and lifting the old man TO his
feet, guided him with the utmost care
from the apartment Francine imme-
diately arose, and disdaining to glance
at madame also hastened from the room.
Madame turned to Desire. well, girl,
you look dspleased. What is the mat
ter with you?"
II hate 1t all!' replied Desire, passion
ately. How ! would love to go away.
a. &C.
again; they are horrible"
Madame sighed. My poor kitten. so
should ]. But what chance have we?
Come and kiss me. Desire"
The girl threw her ans around the
woman and tenderly caressed her Why
can't we, mother mine? why cannot we
! leave this dreadful placer"
Madame patted her daughters head
/ Because we haven't wings" she an
swered drearily. and because no other
/ part Of Europe is safe for me just now
there are men who want my life"
Mother. did you care for that English
man. Lord Francis Cressinghamg'
/ Madame arose and put the girl from
her. Il liked him well enough" she said
but he Is dead"
Did he care for you?"
When wished him 10 care, he cared. ="
/ You tried TO help MIN away, didn't
you?"
No; I knew he could not escape. but
did not want 10 see him die, so / pre-
/ tended to assist him, knowing that your
grandfather would shoot him Immediately
/ If he was caught"
DO you think he was drowned
mother?"
7 am sure of it: but why?"
! 7 dreamed last night that he came here
/ in a yacht and took you and me and Miss
/ Elliott away with him"
"A pretty dream, but a foolish one. my
child"
"Oh, If 1t could come trueg' sighed the
girl.
( My dear. il cannot come true: we have
/ realities 70 face. not dreams. ! fear much
I that your only hope Of escape is through
your father For myself, when next ht
goes / shall try 20 induce him to take me
with him, I believe. Under his protec-
/ ton life would not be so dull for Us as
! here az all events, though I dare say II
would be dull enough. I have never beer
/ IN a zenana vet"
But, mother-you surely would not
/ Madame interrupted her with a storm oil
] passionate words. Il would do anything
] tIltFf
I is nothing TO do for me but yawn. II
/ is better for you, since you have work tc
/ do. and have known nothing else. But
/ TO me the life is absolutely insufferabIe
\ 1 who have since a girl been used 10 tbs
/ world OF fashion, OF courts. and fetes, ot
constant movement and amusement
/ Why. IN a few months I would cut InS
throat 10 end the boredom OF il all"
Mother"
( Il would I tell you. It Is killing me
/ But you had better go 70 your work, ol
you viii catch II from your grandfather. p
/ She kissed the girl, and forced her from
/ the room, then alone, betook herself {,
/ Miss Elliotts bed chamber. where. ar
/ rived, she knocked sharply on the door
/ Francine's voice bade her enter. bu
when Fr0ncine. who had expected Desire
saw the person Of her visitor, she starte,
back in disgust
YOU" she cried.
Yes it is T." said madame 'T, Kat,
/ Viyella, and I can tell you. my lady
you had better be a little amiabie IL VI,
want my help"
"Your help would rather die thar
! accept your help"
There are worse fates than DEATH
said madame cooily. closing the door be
/ hind her as she spoke, and Placing hel
! back against II.
What do you mean?"
What I say. You need not assum.
airs and graces with ne: there is no one
by 10 admire your pretty disdain, m,
/ dear"
1 do not wish TO speak 20 YOU I shall
\ be obliged if you VIII go"
Would you, my angel? Well, that /.
not my intention. Je m ennui. and I wisf
a little excitement. so I have come L
/ you.
You will be disappointed them" Mis-.
/ Elliott shut her lips tightly.
! "Oh, you'd maintain silence, woulC
you? Well, 90 so. You must listen 20 ms
/ though, for you can't escape. I have tn.
door. and the window is barred"
/ Francine sat down on a chair and tool
/ up a book, which she opened and pretend
/ ed to read"
/ Madame laughed. How would you like
/ to escape?" she demanded.
The girl glanced up, unable TO suppress:
a sudden interest.
"Ha, ha. 1 touched you there." rip
! pied madame. Il repeat, how would yo,
/ like to escape?"
You know It Is impossible"
Bah, nothing is impossible. Listen tC
me.