Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-17


/, mad and fateful night when Katherine had come
az witch hour to his rooms and prayed for
his assistance
Ihe story she had told himl Weeping in his
arms she had pretended confession. She had
ialen victim to a momentary weakness and her
desire was only to escape the consequences Of her
ioiy a great man had sought her love with
gnts, and for moment she had been tempted
-the gifts were jewels fit only for a queen TO
wear She gave him the jewels wrapped in
unsigned letter full Of imprecation and remorse
one lmplored him to be the messenger Of their
return. He was to take them that very instant
,Ito a certain chamberlain, to say to him certain
words, and then, on his return-wel, what he
would, she loved him. she said.
lie had done her bidding, and then returning
generously put her from him and refused to profit
by her hour of weakness and surrender
Then came the revelation, and his release from
the service.
1t seemed that he had carried to the hands Of
a double traitor damnably injurious weapon OF
destruction, and for a moment the life Of a
KING had rested on the tickle disposition of a
rascal.
Only Viyea had entirely escaped, for Crossing
ham had kept her secret. Soon after his retire
ment she had folowd him to England anxious
for his complete subjugation.
| But he had been too severely handled by fate
and felt his disaster too keenly and completely
to resume at the part of ardent lover
| 1he more his affection for her subsided, the
stronger grew the flame of hers for him, and
sometimes, the mask thrown altogether aside she
showed herself to him, a woman with her woman
ly armor of reserve dissolved, creature and pa
thos and passion mperious, languishng and
pleading in breath, madly resentful of his cold
ness. his slave, his paything, did he care to stoop
Then came the interview with Perigord, in
which his suspicious were converted into GER
tainties and the scales finally removed from his
eyes. Thereafter he had no choice but to rec
ognse in Katherin Viyella soul within, wicked,
licentious and powerful for evil.
Meanwhile Madame Viyella, seeking the rea-
son of his growing coldness, had had her jealousy
aroused. An inscribed photograph hanging above
his desk, sharp question and the manner of
his answer, had been to her instinct all sufficient;
she felt she had rival, and she knew her rivals
name. storm had followed.
The clock struck ten, and still he rested mus
ing, gazing always into the glowing fire. At
eleven he aroused himself, for his man announced
visitor. 1t was strange to come back to things
real, from the land Of dreams. He slowly got
to his feet struggling to collect his thoughts
"Ah," he said Ludwig Oeltjen!'
Eyes, my Lord, hope I find you we'll"
"Oh, ah, quite thank you-get chair, won't
you? fancy must have been half asleep. You
have returned from France?"
Yesterday. | have just left" He made
peculiar sign with his hands.
What Perigord?"
Ssh. Yes. He goes tomorrow to Brussels
on mysterious business or other The man
is a marvel! Who do you think was with him."
"I'm fool at riddles"
"The Prince of Wales!'
''Nonsense!"
81 beg your pardon, my Lord"
Forgive me, Count, you took my breath
away. He sent for you, 1 suppose. 1 have not
heard from him yet"
''Be easy; you will He sent for me to carry
you a message"
"Ah!" Lord Francis Cressingham's monocle
fpfa Gle -
mental agitation.
"He is dissatisfied; he bids you waste no fur.
ther time but get to work Immediately"
Cressingham's cheeks colored slowly with anger
and embarrassment He sent only verbal
message then"
pleasant duty. AS he has not forbidden me to
speak, ] shall inform you of it. 2 am to be a
spy on you, my Lord"
''What!" thundered Cressingham, sprnaing
abruptly to his feet; che does not trust me?"
Oetjen waved his hand. "Softly softly" he
murmured with humorousy deprecating smile,
"He trusts nobody. In my turn / too am watched
by an unknown agent. He makes no secret of
his methods. and quite frankly disclosed his ar
rangements for-what shall l say-our comfort"
Cressingham's indignation changed presently to
mirth The quaintness of the plan appealed to
him. and he resumed his seat laughing a little
but his laughter was half-hearted.
at see. Do you intend to live with me?'
''It would be convenient"
Cressingham rang a bell and presently a ser
want entered. John, friend has come to stay
with me- Get bed room fixed up somehow
Take the Count Oeltjen's bag to his room
John Let us know when everything is ready"
eyes sir" The servant departed, and the
gentlemen stared grimly at each other, the ex.
preston of either anything but cordial
z "I expect visitor at midnight" said Cres-
singham slowly
Indeed"
'In fact, Madame"
The Count flushed crimson, and bit his lin.
s'You are fortunate he said with snarl of
suppressed rage a.
The German flung ont his hands, and slammed
x,;olentlv upon the floor ''I am no stiek nor
stone, sir; the lady to have been my wife"
mime also"
.'My Lord" The Counts face was lvid, and
he hissed the words.
coldly; 'why should we quarrel-yet, at all
.sTrue-there is always time"
ssPardon me, It is almost twelve; do vour in.
structions include eavesdropping? l use the
nhrase without an afterthought"
The Count with pain restrained himself hut
unable to speak could only shake his head; he
was furious with passion.
''I might suggest then that you retire. All
what is it, JohnF
The servant muttered: "A lady, sir"
ssKeep her second, John. Count. IL is for.
tunate, but you must meet Madame unless
"Anythng, my Lord, but that, anything
s0rhen there is nothing for it but my bedroom
through that door yonder."
The Count hurried from the room and had