The Washington herald., 1906-11-17

lived he would before long seek them out
again.
No news had been CLEANED by the most
careful inquiries concerning Miss Elliott
or Madame ViyeHa. The cables had
flashed insistent messages 10 all the
Mediterranean ports, but no steamer had
seen the missing ones, nothing had been
heard Of them. and although Cressingham
spent month IN Perigord's yacht (which
the new Count d'Attala had kindly lent
him. with Desire and OeltjeD searching
the coasts Of Corsica, EIba. Pianosa.
Sivaso, and the other small islands there
aoouts, he was forced at last TO the con-
ciusion that they had perished in the open
sea and their boat had sunk with them 20
the depths Of the ocean ooze.
It became his sad task TO convey the IN
teliigence Of their expeditions homeless
failure 10 poor old Col Elliott. who was
doubtless waiting word from him i'm
pitiaDle anxiety. On reaching Nice he
dispatched to Francine's father A long
letter or COmmiseratiOn and coincidence.
and ordering the yacht to return 10
Spezzia. he proceeded with Oeltjen and
Desire by easy stages across France 10
England. They spent q week IN Paris I'm
order 10 show the girl the wonders of
that city, then. arriving In London on
September H. Cressingham placed Desire
in the care Of a favOrite old aunt Of his
who had been previously warned, and had
cheerfully agreed TO receive the girl and
act as her chaperon and instructress.
II was with a feeling OF strange m
reality and deep heartfelt sorrow that
the young man revisited his old rooms IN
Jermyn street Oeltjen accompanied him
rs his guest. and was a sympathetic and
kind companion; but with his return 10
civilization and idleness. Cressingham had
grown 10 realize his loss more and more
keenly, and to his old quiet. aimless life.
now about TO be resumed after the wbirl
and excitement of a few stirring adven-
ture-crowded weeks, appeared to him vain.
empty, and incomparably worthless. His
old ambition had insensibly faded into
foTgetfulness, and he scarcely thought OF
presenting the royal letters which were
designated to Teinstate him in the diplo-
matte service Of England. The ship of his
existence no longer possessed a helm 70
steer by, he had no one to live for save
himself. He certainly possessed some
tried and faithful friends. and had grown
TO regard Oeltjen and Desire with sincere
affection, but he found friendship a
meager substitute for love. and his own
heart told him that no substitute was nos
sible to compensate for the death of
Francine
He entered his old drawing room with
the sense OF one returned from the tomb
Of ages to find the worlds landmarks
unaltered, but the faces Of his compeers
changed, and with a bitter heartache he
recognized that from that moment new
n
out before him, robbed Of the dearest
dreams of other days and the joys he
had once fOndly thought might have been
his. a future destitute Of the hopes and
ambitions which had formerly constituted
the bravest and best part Of his life.
Oeltjen respected for awhile the musing
silence into which he had fallen. but al
last. saudened by his friends grief, he
tried Loyalty to cheer him and rouse him
from his melancholy mood. Laying his
hand gently on Cressngham' shoulder
he said softly; Dear friend, l know
what your thoughts must be / know their
utterable sadness; but should you give
way to them? The past is past, and in
the march Of destiny many hearts are
bruised and broken. You have endured a
bitter loss; but you are young, the world
lies before you full Of hope and promise.
t4S'se OOu eheC III 'itS JOSS VI tHe Au-
ture you will forget the sOTrows of the
present."
"Old chap.' said Cressingham bTOkenly.
you say you understand, but you can't,
you can't, or you couldn't say such
things. I've nothing TO look forward to
nOthingr'
Nothing. Frank Don't say that Are
you not TO give to me my bride?"
And happines with her Ludwig, / sin
Cerely hOpe-constant happiness. You are