The Washington herald., 1907-12-05

her. certainly AS 10 the gentleman. 1
know nothing Of him, or he Of me-"
50 fierce was the Romer blood wher
aroused that Vida seemed 70 take real
pleasure in trampling on hearts even
Pills Particularly Phns. indeed.
We'll, IL does not matter" retorted the
other Romer, "since they are here, they
must take the consequences.
At this exceedingly opportune moment
Grcgson, calm and deferentiaI rs ever.
announced Mr. Kahn" At once the
tempest broke forth.
More, he shouted driving his hand
suddenly among the sheafs OF paper.
send up the servants. the kitchen maids
the stable boys. Send up the gamekeep-
ers. rouse the nightshift, and have up the
village scavengersi Ny family matters
are not widely enough known. You have
chosen well, young woman. But all the
better. I know how 10 protect myself
Thank heaven. there is q law against i'm
posters in this landt"
He turned upon Mr. Kahn. who. with
keen. foxy eyes and suave cunning OF eX-
preston, seemed 70 understand the whole
scene. as if be. TOO, had been listening IT
the door Yet he was entirely in the
dark. he was "a clever fellow, this Serb
He had understood weighed probabilities
4.
Of aCtiOn-an the while standing serene
ana grave as ever. waiting for his master
10 address him.
Who is this woman. Kahn?' demanded
the old man fercely. He went up 10
James Kahn as II TO take him by the col
lar and shake the truth out Of him
Have YOU lied 10 me2 Heavens, II YOU
have-better for You that you had gone
down with the Good Intent Is il true
what she says? Speak out. man"
Entirely master Of himself (which goes
a long way toward being equally master
Of othersl. James Kahn replied. Il do NOT
know IL the presentation has already been
made. But if not. permit me 10 have the
great pleasure Of introducing you two
Mr.. Romer. your only daughter, Miss
Vida Romer, your fatner,"
Ard he stood back a little smiling and
rubbing his hands rs If entirely satisfied
with himself. He knew that his life hung
on a hair. He saw Jacob Romer's hand
40 toward the loaded revolver I'm the
drawer Of the desk He stood smiling. a
bold. swift knave. Il was almost as If he
had been at home in Servia, He liked Il
soto play with life and death as men
play with cards and co6nters. His own or
another's. what matter,
Mr.. Jacob Romer's hand moved down TO
? IT.
His fingers closed upon IT, Some color
had come back 20 his face. and his ewes
We're fixed upon those OF James kahn.
The Serb did not move. He stood still,
smiling gently, his head thrown back with
a certain bravura Of expression which
was as distant as possible from bravado.
You lied 10 me, sir" said Jacob Ro-
mer, calmly adjusting" his victim (as
they say in the abattoirs Of great citiesl.
Il lied. indeed" said James Kahn.
but il was for your good My silence
OF five years proves l. Have 7 not
watched over your Gaughter2 At that
time would you have we coined her? Then
you had projects with which she would
have interfereG. NV il is different
You need a companion I give you a
daughter
''You lied 10 me-yoU, whom I trusted"'
said Jacob ROmer, somberly. and now
am going % shoot you ike d dog"
DO it,' said James Kahn. and he
folded his arms.
Then the other Romer stepped in front
I Of the lCveled tube, between James Kahn
and his angry master
Father" she said. give that 20 ner'
There WAS an instant battle-eagle and
falcon, peregrine and sparhawk Vida
stretched out her hand. She walked to-
wards Mr. hOner.
"Out of the wayne has lied to me-
cried the fierce owner Of the Incubus
properties.
And pray, did you never lie?' de-
manded his daughter -to my mother.
whom YOU promised 20 love honor. and
protect? You sent her to the poor side
of the East Dene Asylum. She would
have died there but for me, Now give
me the pistol?''
Thus defied. Mr. Romer stood irreso-
lutte But the next moment the revolver
was in Vida's hand. and she had moved
aside, leaving master and man face to
/ face
Now" she said. you can settle it
between your
And she slipped the loaded weapon into
the pocket of her dress and turned to-
ward the door
Goodbye, father" she said. 7 did
/