Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-24

eyes luminous as stars "I have come
to return compliment. This afternoon you
warned me of some danger which you believe is
threatening me. It is now my turn to put you
your guard against peril so real and i'm
minent that have dsregarded hour and place"
''How good you are" he muttered, half-dazed
with his surprise
1t was after the concert. / went with some
of my girls to call upon one who is i'll at tene-
, ment house in Soho While waiting by the sick
bed for a surgeon I overheard conversation
between two foreigners in an adjoining room
They spoke in Swedish, I think that they are
Nihilists. They spoke of Madame Viyella
and a called Uljen-or something like that
first, and then mentioned your name 1t seems
that you were seen issuing late one night quite
recently from certain house in London, house
occupied by enemies of their society. This fact
taken in conjunction with your intimacy with
Madame Viyella has aroused the fears of their
master, and your removal has been planned in
consequence. This very night an attempt will
be made to murder you. A forged letter will
be brought entreatng your immediate presence
at the house have mentioned. If you 90, you
will be stabbed and your body buried in eel
lar
A low tapping at that moment sounded on the
outer door Miss Elliott stopped speaking and
His face was white and miserable; he stood
wringing his hands moment then turning to
the girl muttered in a low passionate whisper:
Miss Elliott, / am accurst tonight it would
have been almost better that you had left me
to my fate. There is one without there who if
she sees you here would-My God! who can tell
what she would do? Your fair name tomorrow
ah, what am I saying what shall do?"
-s"Who is it?" imperiously.
MADAME Viyella"
"Ah, the woman they spoke of"
"You do not understand; it is the Countess
of Hobenstein."
The girl turned scarlet, and hot tears glistened
in her eyes. "I am properly punished she
muttered-then: "You must not let her see me
at least, not that | should die of shame! Oh,
i might have guessed, 1 might have guessed!''
The tapping recommended, Lord Cressingham
swiftly crossed the room and drew aside some
curtains. ut breaks my heart" he almost groan-
ed, "but must ask you to wait here; it is my
dressing room"
f'But-s there no other exit?"
None"
Through that door there"
"My bedroom; there is in it already"
"a mani"
"Ah trust me little, Miss Elliott l am less
black than I appear"
She gave him burning glance. He fell back
ping was louder now and more imperious. Draw
ing the curtains into place again he swiftly and
noiselessly returned to his chair before the fire.
Come in" he called in drowsy tones.
The handle was tried. II can't" replied a
voice without.
Cressingham got noisily to his feet, and Stun
bling to the door pushed aside the latch
"a thousand pardons," he cried 81 fancy l
. must have been DOING
''Dozing you slept like the dead my boy.
have been hammering there for quite time. ="
Cressingham rubbed his eyes and pretended to
yawn. "Im awfuly sorry" he said sleepily.
The Countess swept into the room and round
it with long undulating strides, shedding coat,
cloak and wraps to the hoor as she proceeded.
The man leisurely followed her, picking up each
article in turn Madame apparelled like
a queen. A splendid dress of shimmering jet
work on ground of black brocade enveloped
her luscious figure tightly and above it her ala
baster shoulders and milk white bosom shone
in bold relief
Proudly conscious of her beauty, she faced the
man as queen might her subject moveless,
family seornfu smile upon her lips. well, my
boy, I've taken the measure OF your English
baby-face"
Oressngham shrugged his shoulders. "And
them
bah, am not jealous any more She is pretty,
yes and good-good all English women are pret-
ty and good She may be even little more
so than the rest, but she could not content you,
Frank-for long (She is too cold, too sensible,
too much always conscious of herself too proud,
too self-restrained. Did you ever think she could