The Washington herald., 1908-03-02

to divide his tins between his chambers
| in Dover street and wandering about the
Continent. There was time enough 10
settle down." ne always declared. Be
sides, both the houses were too big and
too gloomy to suit his rather simple bach
elcr tastes. His Aunt Emily. an old lady
| OF seventy. still continued 10 live at
Water Newton Hall, not far from that
quaint OLD World, and many-splred town.
Stamford: but KiImaronock Castle was
unoccupicd save for six weeks or so when
he went UP with friends for the shooting
season.
Agents were frequently making tempt
Ing offers 20 him 20 let the place TO GER
tain wealthy Americans. but he refused
all inducements. The fine old place be-
tween Criefr and Perth had never been
let during his fathers lifetime. and he
did not intend that any stranger. except
his own friends. should enjoy the splendid
shooting now.
My dear PetTovitch." he was saying
between whiffs Of hts cigarette, lit Is
| indeed reassuring what you tell me re-
garding the settled state Of the country.
You have surely had sufficient internal
troubles OF late"
'Ah, yes" sighed the elder man, a
deep, thoughtful expression upon his
| pleasant, II somewhat saliow, counte-
nance. "Servia has passed through her
great crisis-the crisis through which
every young nation must pass sooner or
J later; and now heaven be thanked. a
Irighter day has dawned for us. Under
our new regime prosperity is assured.
Rut- and pauslng, he looked Max
s;rEight In the face. and in a changed
voice, voice OF increased earnestness
and confidence. he added with only a
slight accent for he spoke English very
/ WELT did not ask you here TO discuss
1 politics We Servians are. / fear, sad
Eossips upon our own affairs. I wanted
TO speak 10 YOU upon a subject OF great
est importanee 20 myself personally. and
Of some one very dear TO me- Now we
have been friends. my dear Max. you and
/, through some years. and I feel-nay.
/ know. that you viii regard what I say
in entire confidence
] Most certainly" was the young Eug-
lishman's reply. though somewhat sur
prised at his friends sudden change OF
manner.
! II was true that he had known DR..
Michael Petrovitch for quite a number OF
years
Long ago. when he had first visited Bel
grade, the Servian capital. the man be-
\ fore him, well known throughout the Bal
kans as a patriot. was occupying the
/ position Of minister OF finance under King
Milan. Both his excellency and HIS wife
had been extremely kind to him. had in
troduced him 10 the smart social set. had
obtained for him the entree to the nal
/ ace festivities. and had presented him 10
/ Queen Natalie Thus a firm friendship
had been established between the two
men.
But affairs in Servia had considerably
/ changed since then. Nine Petrovitch. a
/ charming English lady, had died. and
his excellency, after becoming minister
4 OF commerce. and subsequently, foreign
minister In several succeeding cabinets
had gone abroad 10 represent his country
at foreign courts, frst St Petersburg.
| then Berlin. and then Constantiaople
finally returning cad coming 10 live in
England
Even now he was not more than fifty.
and il had long ago been whispered that
his majesty was constantly urging him
to return and accept the portfolio OF
finance or OF commerce. But he steadily
declined. AS statesman. his abilities
had long ago been recognized by Europe.
and none knew his value or appreciated
him more than his own sovereign. yet for
private reasons he preferred to live QUIET
~ ~ the Cromwell road 70 returning to
al! the worries OF state and those eternal
chickering's in the Servian. Skuptschina.
he was man OF even temper. OF
charming manner, and OF scrupulous hon
esty. Had be been dishonest in his deal
ings he might have amassed a great for
tune while occupying those posts in the
various ministries But he had preferred
10 remain as he was. upright. even
though comparatively poor
'Wall7" asked May after ioDo sgfo-oo
Il Am waiting"
IT IS a matter to which refer not
without some hesitation" declared his
friend Il want 20 speak to you about
Maud"
About Maud. Weir"
Il am worried about the chud-a good
deal"
For what resson7'' asked Max. consid-
erably surprised.
Maud was Petrovitch's only daughter.
a very beautiful gil. now nineteen years
Of age. who had been brought 10 IN Eng
'and, and TO whom he was entirely de-
voted.
Well she has fallen in love-
"All girls do sooner or later" replied
Max. philosophically.
But she's too young yet-far too young
Twenty-Five is quite early enough for a
girl to marry"
And who's the man?'
Your friend-Charlie Rolfe"
Charlie" he exclaimed. in great sur
prise. And he's in love with Maud. Are
you quite sure OF this?"
Quite. She meets him in secret: and.
though Rolfe Is your friend Max. I tell
you 1 don't like It." he declared.
I am not surprised. Secret affections
never meet with a parents appreciation.
= Charlie is in love with her. and the
affection Is mutual. why doesn't he come
straight and tell you2"
Exactly my argument" declared Pc
trovitch, lighting a fresh cigarette with
the end OF one half consumed But tell
me, Role is an intimate friend OF yours
Is he nct?"
Very" was Maxs reply. though he did
not inform his friend OF his love for
Marion.
What is his exact positlon?"
AS far as know, he is private secre-
tary to old Samuel Statham, the great
financier his position is quite a good
one-as far as confidential secretaryships
CO.
"Statham, I've heard OF him. There's
some extraordinary story about his house
In Park Lane. isn't there? Nobody has
ever been inside, or something"
There Is. I believe. some cock-and-bull
story" responded Max The old fellow
Is a bit eccentric, and doesn't care for
people prying all over his house He
lives alone. and has no friends. Do you
know. one can be very lonely In London.
1t is perfect Sahara TO those who are
friendless."
Yes" said Petrovitch. huskily. 7
know IL by experience myself. When
was youth 1 lived here. was a for
eign clerk in an insurance Office IN the
city, and I lived perfectly alone-among
all these millions. 1 remember II all as
though Il were only Yesterdav I uaa IN