Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-24

But loud knock sounded on the door as
they approached IL. Cressingham pushed aside the
latch and his servant, in slippers and paiamas,
entered a letter in his outstretched hand; he
seemed hah asleep.
For you, my Lord"
Who brought it?"
"a cabman"
Wait moment, john and you can show
the Count to his room" He opened the letter,
and presently passed II in silence to Oeltien. It
was card inscribed with certain hieroglyphics.
The Count glanced at it, and whispered mean
lngly; ALREADY the path grows dangerous my
Lord. 1t is perhaps my turn next"
Cressingham shrugged his shoulders and pocket
ed the card. perhaps. Good night"
Sleep well!" said the German, and smiling
he departed in the servants wake
Cressingham shut the door, and turned to face
his greatest task, Miss Elliott stood between the
parted curtains Of the dressing room, her face
pale, but selfpossessed and calm.
1T was, oh, cold in there, and dark" she
muttered, shivering little.
lie pointed to the fire. ou had better wait
a moment and warm yourself Presently the
passage will be clear"
She crossed the room and spread out her
hands to the blaze her back turned to the man.
He stood irresoutely moment. nervously anaw.
ing at his under lip, then, growing desperate at
her silence. spoke.
Miss Elliott"
She slowly turned her head, and looked at him
across her shoulder.
you heard?"
She nodded "Everything.'
What you think of me?'
scarcely know just yet; indeed, I haven't
really thought Of you / am trying still to realize
how it is that woman can so degrade herself
How she threw herself at you'll"
Spare me-" he groaned.
She gave a little ripp1inc lauoh "T a1r,ost
begin to fear you Lord Francis; you must possess
some dangerous magic fatal to my SEX And
yet, how deaf you were to her entreaties but
that was because you had an audience perhaps?"
Miss Elliott, | assure you on my honor"
Spare me, my lord" she interrupted icily:
Il have already seen you act tonight What
time is that?"
clock was Ginning somewhere in the citv.
its tones reaching them in muf6ed melancholy
Cressingham glanced at his watch. "Half-past
two."
Luckily I have latchkey," said the girl.
Don't you think the coast is clear by now?"
"One moment!" He hurried into the dressing
room and a second after came out with hat and
coat. The girl regarded him with much contempt
do you think l should accept your escort far
ther than the street" she queried bitterly. His
lips frightened, but without reply he opened the
door for her to pass and in unbroken silence they
trod the passage and descended the stairs. There
he paused, but she passed on and stood by the
door, attempting herself to open it, With a
hopeless little laugh he assisted her, and she
gded through into the street. Two men, stand
ing not yard from the door, peered rudely into
her yelled face. She drew back with a little
gasp an involuntary cry for help. Cressingham
sprang out at once, but the men skunk off quickly
down the street.
"Thank you" said Miss Elliott 'It was moth.
ing but seeing them so close and suddenly, they
frightened me for a second"
"At least, let me put you in cab,' he said
imploringly. Really, the streets are not always
safe at this hour. 1t may be the last favor
shall ever ask of you"
every well, then"
He walked with her a few steps down tho
street and whistled. Instantly fourwheele1
standing in the shadows of some houses not fa1
distant moved out into the light and came quick
ly towards them. To Cressingham it seemed
that the cab must have been waiting by appoint
ment, so swift its response. but another
matter now engrossed his mind. few. a yer,
few seconds remained to him during which HI
might fight for his happiness. Silence might b'
more dignifed but at any rate he could not pos
sibly hurt himself more by speech than he wa
harmed already
"Francine" he muttered suddenly, "you wronj
me in your thoughts. Pm not so black as yol
think me- I'm in an awful mess, and the ours,
of it is | can't explain. But on my honor, Fran
cine. I'm not the loose fellow you think me.
couldn't be- for | love you. you, you with all m!
soul, and that alone would keep me straight"
Miss Elliott watching him from behind tn,
thick meshes of her veil thought how handsome
he looked standing in the lamplight there, hi
eyes so bright his face so passionately eager;
quaint thought entered her mind, and impulse
Really, my Lord" she said, "you should neve
wear that monoce of yours, you look so mucl
better without" Her laugh rippled out like th
pealng of silver bell
Cressingham opened the carriage door, blacl
frown on his face.
''Where shall tell the man to drive you?'
"Bruton street. please. Good night"
Cressingham made one last appeal He helC
the door open, and standing close beside it whis
pered "Francine, I'm the most miserable maj
on earth.
Miss Elliott did a strange thing. Cressingham'
left hand was leaning lightly against the glas
of the window Stretching forth her own sh
took it gently to her and drew from his thrt
finger the ring which she had returned him yes
terday; then she dropped his hand, and said
you shall have one more chance; are you con
tent?"
'Heaven bless you, dear. Good night"
The cab ratified off, and Cressingham, watch
ing il with loving eyes. soon after il hat
turned the corner the forms Of two men run
ming in the same direction.
49,
c n APTER v