The San Francisco call., 1907-03-31

viii De quite candid We nave not
succeeded at all Our friends pay
generously. but they pay by results.
rs a consequences your stepmOtber and
I s.e nearly penaiisss. This fact in
duccs me to make you g special
very apecial-ofser
My SJcpmother SCENE about to
speak. she checked herself however.
Go on : said.
My father eoughed. There was
bottle unon the table, and he helped
himself from It.
My nerves.. he remarked. "ave in
shocking state this morning. Can l
osssr YOU anything
shook my head. Mv father poured
out nearly glass fun Of the raw
spirit. diluted It with a little, very
little. water. aud drank il OF.
Tour labors. my dear hoy he con-
tiDucd, Il rsser. OF course. to the
laoors of the Military Council. are. I
believe. concentrated upon general
scheme Of defense against any pos
siole invasion on the pa-t Of France.
quite scare you people seem TO be
~ Not that one can wonder at IT,
fhesc military maneuvers of our
friends across the water are just a
little obvious even 10 John Bull ch?
You don't answer. Quite right. quite
right. Never commit yourself use
lessly II is very good diplomacy. Let
We sec. whore was /? All! The gen
eral scheme OF defense is. OF course.
known 10 your
Naturally" 7 admitted
With list of the places to be for
titled. eh? The positions to be held
and the general distribution OF troops?
No doubt. too, YOU have gone into the
railway and commissariat arrange
ments?"
"Ali these Details assented. have
gone through my hands
He dabbed his forehead with a cor
ner OF his handkerchief. There was a
streak of purple color in his cheeks
lie kept his bioodshot eyes fixed upon
me.
II will tell YOU something. Guy" lie
said. which will astonish YOU You
realize for yourself. of course, that
such details as you have spoken OF
can never be kept altogether secret
There are always leskages. sometimes
very considerable Ieakages. Yes. Guy
he added. there are people. friends O.
mine IN Paris. who are willing to paw
very largo sum Of money-such =
large sum of money that il is worth
dividing. Guy--foT just a bare outline
OF the whole scheme. Foolish! OF course
IT is foolish But with them money is
no object. They think they are get
ting value for it. Absurd, But Guy
what should you say TO five thousand
pounds?'
1T Is large sum-" I answered.
He plueked me by the sleeve. His
eyes were hunsering already for the
gold.
We can get it, he whispered
hoarsely "No trouble to you-no risk.
! can make all the arrangements. You
have only to hand me the documents
II must think 1t over said
He leaned back in his chair.
+XNhV3'' he fn
there to hesitate2 The chance may slip
by. There are many others on the look
out"
There is no one outside the Military
Board save myself who could give
these particulars. I said slowly.
but my friends" he said sharply.
Theirs Is a foolish offer They may ,
Change their minds. Guy, my boy,
know the world we'll Let me give
you a word of advice. When a goo0
thing turns Up. don't play with it. The
men who decide quickly are the men
who do things"
| thrust my hand into my breast
pocket and drew out a roll of papers
''Supposing I have already decided"
I said
His eyes cleaned with excitement
He almost snatched at the papers, but
! held them out of his reach. Then
with sharp little cry the woman
stood suddenly between US. There was
q look almost of horror on her pale
strained face. as she held out her hand
as though to push me away.
Guy. arc you mad?' she cried.
The veins stood out upon my fathers
forehead. He regarded her with min
gled anger and surprise.
What do you mean, Maud?" he ex-
claimed. How dare you interfere?
Guy. give me the papers"
He shall notr she exclaimed fierce
T. 1rrk
Do you want to ruin your whole lifeg"
DO YOU mean | asked incredulous-
ly. that you do not wish me to join
your
Join u.s. For Heavens sake. no.
she answered hercely. Look at your
father, an outcast all his life. Do you 4
want 10 become like him2 Do you
want to turn the other way whenever
you meet an Englishman. to skuIk all
your days in hiding to be the scorn
even of the men who employ yous
Guy. 1 would sooner see you dead than
part with those papers"
You damned foolf' my father NUT
tered. Take no notice OF her. Guy.
Five thousand pounds! / will see It
paid to you. every penny Of It. And not
a soul will ever know.
My father stood over her. and there
was a threat in his face. She did not
shrink from him for a moment. She
ders. and she looked earnestly into my
eyes.
Guy" she said, even now I do not
believe that you meant to be so very.
very foolish. But ! want YOU TO go
away at once. You should never have
come 1t is not good for you 60 come
near either of us.
+ rose obediently. / think that II
had not been there my father would
have struck her. He was almost
speeehless with fury. He poured him
self out another glass of brandy with
shaking fingers
Thank YOU ! said to her. simply.
4 do not think that these papers are
worth five thousand. Let me tell you
what i came here for. / am a mes .
senger from the Duke of Rowch ester
My father dropped his glass. Mrs.
smith Lessing looked bewildered.
The Duke I said 10 her. desires
to see YOU. Can you come to Caven-
dish Square this afternoon?"
The Duke?" she niurmured.
lie wishes to see YOU / repeated.
shall ! tell him that you will call at
four O'Clock this afternoon. or Will you