Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-10-12

careful not 10 compromise myself In
the future.
Two women had met re at the part
ing OF the ways
One OF them had set me a task.
holding herself proudly aloof. promis-
ing nothing II this task were actu-
ally accomplished. the reward was TO
be the deed itself
And now another woman had come
radiant. gllttering. a subtle perfume
lulling the senses. Her Wild beauty,
her charm. had been frankly displayed
TO enthrall me. She had promised a
definite adventure. AS 20 the reward
IL seemed to me too brazenly obvious.
I hicked the ash angrily from my
| cigarette. And was I really tempted?
Hardly, 1 resolved savagely. And yet
I was not fool enough 20 be blind TO
the fact that the situation was not
without its danger.
NY shoulder was tapped. I was
seated in the vestbule Of my hotel.
I looked up. startled A well-groomed
man in the early thirties lowered over
me. an American / saw at once. Tho
round. jocund face was vaguely IA
miliar.
Yes" exclaimed a burly voice. 1T
is really old Haddon."
I grasped the hand he held toward
me with emotion. Here was a friend.
an American. and l needed a friend
badly just now.
had not seen Locke since we we're
at college together. We had never
been intimate. but the big-hearted
Robinson Locke had been character
among his classmates.
At first I hesitated 70 his cordial
greetings: I was afraid he had not
heard my story But presently he
plunged into the episode that had
made me notorious for a day Then
I knew he had come TO stand by mo.
1T is a brutal lie. of course" he
stormed Indignantly. but even II Il
were true" He clapped my shout
der.
1T IS true-at least in a measure"
ROT" he exclaimed with cheerful
skepti 1ism. lowering his person into
the yielding expanse OF an armchair
by my side. Tell me about it."
Unless you insist. I prefer not 20"
said quietly. reckoning a waiter. 1t
was just a horrible accident Frankly.
20 have saved his life was impossible.
But I might have died with him. I
didn't There you have my disgrace
In a nutshell"
He looked somewhat glum AZ this
cold-blooded explanation and stirred
uneasily IN his chair. watched him.
not without grim amusement He
pulled at his cigar. searching my face
keenly.
Rot" he cried again. and this time
with conviction. III you feel any dis.
grace. IL Is your own fault. Haddon
II you we're the coward they say you
are. you wouldn't SIT there smiling az
me. You would rave aud swear by all
the gods that you were innocent. I
don't want 10 hear your story. But
want you 20 know that you have one
friend from home to stick up for you.
and 20 believe IN you"
was too moved 20 speak
That's all right. then" he said with
grun genueness. 1T must be hell 10
be over here alone and everybody
kicking you"
"Oh. that was 70 be expected. OF
counsel But last night I had an ex-
perience that / wouldn't 90 through
again II I could help H."
Do you mind telling me what It
was?"
"Willoughby. the man who was
killed. loved a Miss Brett. She was
at this hotel last night with her moth
er. They heard OF my being here. and
did me the honor 10 send for me. and
70 ask from me the details OF the
tragedy"
Locke's heavy face was agitated
equally by sympathy and surprise.
Miss Brett!" he cried. THAT must
be the sister OF Sir Mortimer Brett"
You know herr" demanded
eagerly.
4 have never seen her. but / know
something OF Sir Mortimer. He is
the most picturesque figure in the
English diplomatic service"
Why picturesque? That is
strange adjective TO describe Brit
ish minister. Who is he ed how do
you happen TO know him?"
He is consul general and minister
pienlpotenuary at Sofia, Bulgaria.
There is not an attache in Europe to-
day who has not an inquisitive eye
cooked at Sir Mortimer Brett"
And his claims 70 distinction?"
Two only. nay dear fellow, but they
are sufficient to make any man motor
ious. First Of all. scandal has been
busy with his illustrious name. How
ever I am afraid that's q very or
dirany sort OF notoriety. But when
l tell you the sober fact that IL he
just winked war would break out in
the Balkan peninsula you will grant
that he is factor IN the game OF
European politics"
Il have heard enough to have my
curiosity excited. Tell me more OF the
man who controls the destiny OF a ma
ton. The scandal, for instance Is 1t
matter OF common newspaper pub
hcity? I have figured in the papers
myself lately. and l feel a certain
sympathy for fellow-sufferer?"
oh, the newspapers have made him
squirm a bit, no doubt But my
sources OF information are more ac-