The Washington herald., 1906-10-29
CHAPTER XIV.
Thc Doom of a Monarch.

! In spite OF his terror, Lord Francis
| CTessingham slept in the dark that night
! He had not been able to divest himself
/ of a queer prcsentiment that he would
/ DC abandoned in the cavern and that he
might later need every drop of the oil
| the lamp contained. When he awoke, II
was OF course pitch dark, but some in
| ner consciousness told him that morning
| had come upon the earth He lighted
/ the lamp, and finding himself stiff and
| chill in spite Of Desires rugs, sprang
| from the sarcOphagus and smartly paced
| the floor. lie breakfasied on the remains
| of his last nights supper and then sat
down to await the advent Of Desire with
/ whatever patience he could gather His
watch had stopped, therefore time had
/ lost mean ng FOR him, and hours as mo-
ments passed with indifferent dulness lie
/ discovered soon an anxiety 10 explore the
place. TO search and pry into those dark
holes that opened on the chamber IN
which he was and whose secrets his Ian
tern failed 10 penetrate for more than
psltry distance. But he simply dared not
risk such an undertaking yet fearing 10
get lost. ana he determined to ask the
/ lad on his next visit 70 obtain for bim
q ball Of rw'ne so that he might make
soms record Of his iourneyings and be
able 10 return 70 his starting point al
will
Il seemed 10 him that many hours had
passed when Desire at last arrived. but
he experienced no surprise on being made
aware that another whole day had Un-
rolled IT'S score upon the book Of time.
The boys news was sad. Miss Elliott
was very i'll; indeed 50 III that the counts
physici'u was % constant at enhance upon
her She had become dsIirious and vas
constantly raving, calling wildly on some
one 20 save her father and Frank.
She no longer recognized anyone. and was
in the midst OF a sharp attack Of brain
fever.
Cressingham listened with misery IN
spesKable, but Desire soon wandered of
70 other themes. His father had arrived
az the chateau, and now two yachts lay
al anchor Ia the bay, Nine. Viyells had
further incensed her husband by paying
open court 10 her old lover. and IL seemed
that the Count d'Attala took q savage
pleasure h assisting events and stirring
up the passions Of his guests
The boy later On suggested that CreSs-
ingham should return with him TO the
boatsheG, FOR an hour or two. there be-
ing no fear OF any interruption as a con
ference had been arranged between the
three nihillst chiefs IN The counts rooms
which Of necessity required the counts
presence
Cressingham very gladly agreed, and il
was with feelings OF real satisfaction that
be left the dreary cavern and found him
self once again in the boathouse. Desire
no longer worked upon his metal plates;
he was now engaged In preparing fresh
alloy. and as that required only the pay
ms Of intermittent attention 10 two small
bronze furnaces. be was at liberty to
converse with his protege almost at his
ease. Cresziughan1 wandered about for 3
while peeFing into things and asking
questions TO which the boy returned short
and guarded answers: but there was a
met hod IN his quest He presently found
a large twisted roll of twina, and this,
during one Of Desires moments Of occu-
patton, he concealed beneath his waist
coat, Tor he did not want 20 ask Desire TO
leip him too much as he feared the lad
night prove 20 have scTuplss il be learned
for what purpose he required the cord
CTessingham took a seat at lest and
surveyed his companion critically. 50
YOU are a uihilist Desire?" he said
abruptly.
The lad colored a little and laughed con
strainedly. i wouldn't BE- II 1 could help
IT," be replied
why not?"
I don't like them OF their ways"
You don't like the idea Of being cruel
70 people, OF numbering creatures you
have never seen and who have done you
ne wrong?"
THAT IS H." Desire looked up with
bright and fearless eyes. do you know,
my lord, when I get to England I Intend
to give IT al up, to escape il if can? Do
you think I could2 England is a big
place. isn't IL; not iih6 IL little island?
Do YOU think ] could hide SO that they
would not find me?"
Il think 50" said Cressingham with a
heeting smile; you must come and live 1
with me, shall protect you. I am a rich I
man, Desire.
so an l." said the lad. "Ah, you need I
not laugh. I showed the able; he laugh /
cd, too, at first, but after he had seen, /
that is what he said.
What did you show him?''
Ny jewels. I took them from grand 4
fathers chest He had so many he could /
never miss them; indeed, he has never /
missed them. but I did not know they
were valuable at the time. I took them 4
Just e amuse myself with. they are so /
beautiful"
Show them to me. will you?'
The boy looked at him keenly.
I woa't rob you" laughed the man. 4
Desire flushed hotly. 7 was not think 1
ing that he cried, 7 was thinking that i
perhaps ] should return them. They are /
really grandfather's. you know"
CreSsingham shook his head. ''Your