The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-08-11

course it will destroy ali his hopes Of
fame and success. I have thought it
all over-I must find out somehow It
this Is the TRUTH and you are surely
the one, to help me. You will be able
to tell me If this is so.'' r. %..'
+ She was leaning far over the table
In her anxiety to bring her low words
close to Winstanley's ear. Her hands
were, clasped before her; the softened
light fell tenderly on her round white
arms and the cleaning lustre of her
jewels and her frock. Her dark eyes,
with strange magnetism in them,
were fixed upon his own. She leant
little farther forward, and breathed
lower, in tone that thrilled like a
vibrating chord Of music. 'You must
:know-you will help me to set my poor
brothers fears at rest"
Winstanley's> whole face seemed to
change and freeze. He had been
listening, if with ever so great anxiety
for her speech to be over and he him
self set free, still with interest and
wonder as to what appeal she was
making to him, but now he seemed
suddenly to be on his guard. He sat
erect, sharply, from the confidential
attitude he had instinctively copied
from her own. II am sorry cannot
be of the least use to you," he said,
with a coldness that contrasted strik-
ingly with his sympathy Of a moment
ago.
Countess Ilka shrank almost as If he
had struck her. She looked up into his
face with pleading, passionate eyes
that might have softened heart Of
rock. "You refuse to give me your
help!" Her voice trembled. One
would have said she was bitterly
wounded and hurt. -
Don't put it like that, please. L
would do anything could for you, but
this is out of the question. cannot
talk Of the matter you ask me about"
"You cannot? All, see! You are
too much in the confidence of your su-
perior to, chatter about his affairs!
That is right; it does you credit, it
proves you trustworthy, but this is
different thing from all else. I do not
even ask you again to tell me whether
it is true that there has been such a
discovery; I am sure of it. from au-
thentic sources your command
ant himself. You would not discuss it
with any other but me; my, wish to
hear is so vital, so near to my heart.
If my brother knows he has been fore
stalled, there is nothing s. for him to- do
but to drop all effort to perfect his
discovery; but, unless he is satisfied
that this other invention is identical,
he will offer his to government which
will leap at the chance of accepting it
not the English government"
She caught her breath noiselessly as
she fired that last shot. She kept her
eager glance fixed upon his set and
inf1exible face. He bent his head
gravely, and brushed together with his
fingers the crumbs from the broken
roll beside him. tHe would most prob
ably get a better price from the Eng
lish government than from any other"
was all he said.
'.'Ah, but think Of the injury to this
country if another had such weapon
given into its hand! Think how your
general will lose if his invention is
really forestalled! You have only to
tell me me, who will keep the matter
as secret as the grave-what this dis
covery of the he"commandant's really is
and how it is made,''' ..,,s,.,;>>.<
j.: ITO Be contl,1ued:(:.
- -. -!''',.