The Washington herald., 1908-05-25
THE SOUL OF CROESUS
BY GERALD VILLIERS-STUART
Copyright r y eqp saas Han An rshs reserved

which changed your life. Something was
taken away from you and something was
given 20 you. Some trick was played on
you while you were hypnotized. I don't
know what II was-it all looks vague ard
blurred TO me-but this know: that
your head no longer governs your heart.
but you viii go on thinking Il does"
Lady Kitty dropped his hand. and put
hers up 10 her forehead, Il can't tell
you any mOre-it gives me a headache.
But I have a curious feeling that you
are not the same person / met at the
ball. You did not need any help then
you do now. Something is pleading 10
be released, like a soul calling from a
dungeon. I don't understand ltr' She
passed her hand across her forehead.
"D0 you know" she went on, '1t Is
very curious but there Is something
about you. something which / did not
notice nj first. which reminds me OF
some one knew for a short time, about
year ago-some one I met at a COM
memoration at oxford. He used to write
poetry TO me. I don't think you could
write poetry-could you. Mr.. Vandraken?"
mo. I can't write spring poetry, or
talk like n tenor" answered the young
man. rather brusquely. AT least, I
hope not; and don't see why I remind
you OF some dufTer who does that sort
Of thing"
Don't worry" laughed Kitty. you
are not bit ike him Indeed. the first
time 1 met you, should have said you
We're opposites: but to-day something in
your personality reminds me OF his.
particularly when I was looking at your
hand"
The man and the girl had been too en-
crossed in palmistry 20 notice Lady
Donoyle standing by the door. She look
ed at them beamingly for a moment, and
locked her hands together. leaving an
opening between the thumbs; then she
threw a brilliant smile back over her
shoulder 10 Lord Ancestor. who was com
ing along behind-she had picked him
up In the park-and they both passed the
door on the way TO the drawing-rOom.
another, Lady Donoyle triumphantly;
Lord Ancestor shrugged his shoulders
and looked depressed. Lady Donoyle
smiled down on her locked hands. and
held them out to the man. ''Rivie." she
said softly, put you finger into the
crows nest"
Half an hour afterward the two men
left the house together. They walked
In silence for a while, Lord Ancestor
cherishing an 'T-told-you-sO'' expression.
At last Yandraken said abruptly. You
were right. and I'm for Paris I'm not
susceptible-hang II all I'm not sus-
ceptible. but II l had stayed much long
er alone with that girl I should have
asked her to marry me-"
And you didn't feel worthy?' said
Lord Ancestor. hopefully. Muddy cur
rent mingllng with clear stream-that
- oh 7
After all. he reflected, the man has some
conscience left. in spite OF Won larsen
helm.
But Vandraken only looked perplexed.
Didn't feel worthy. Nothing OF the
kind! But I've got sense enough left not
70 be done out OF my 'hurrah time I've
mapped out my life. and I'm not going
TO change the programme"
Silence fell again between the two men,
TIL Vandraken went on. abruptly: THAT
girl doesn't play the game. She can't
play with fire because she is fire.
never felt the came with any other
woman, Ancestei. I felt as monks feel
about the Madonna What did you bring
her into my life fOr7-after all the trou-
BILE and expense I've taken to see that
my high old times throw no shadows.
Suppose her face comes between me and
Won Tarsenheim and his conscience ex-
tractor?"
They were held up by a block of car
riages near q florists shop In Piccadilly
"Ah, my dear fellow" replied Ances-
ter. sadly. remember what I told you
about the brotherhood OF the under
world II that is the order you belong
to. celibacy is one OF its conditions. The
double life Is a miserable lfe-almost as
bad as the simple life. Pick your world.
and 1--we in it; but II you can get Won
Tarsenheim 10 hypDotize you again and
put you where you were before, for Gods s
sake do it, Marry Lady Kitty Poher
and use your money and your brains TO
restore society 10 its center OF gravity"
The young man shook his head and
turned away. as. 1000 years ago. another
young man, who also had great riches.
turned away sorrowfully from the gate
Of heaven.
"In FIVE years. Ancester-no. In three
years. Give me three years of Il. What's
three years7 But mustn't see Lady
Kitty any more-and yet no one else
shall marry her-do you hear"
I'm afraid you Will find that rather
hard TO arrange, won't your"
Hard Not in the least. Money can
do anything, II you only know how 10
use IT, But I mustn't see her any more
must not even think OF her any more
Paris-that is what will put this non
sense out of my head: and Il there is
anything in that talk you put up about
being my shadow, you win come with
me. When we get tired OF Paris. well
work our way east BY way of Vienna.