The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-07-19

If ! may venture to mention a name,
with your very persistent admirer Sir
George Duncombe, whom l saw here
few moments since"
She sighed. and the Vicomtes face
became one. of pale anxiety.
Il have not been permitted TO see
him. she answered. He was here
few minutes ago."
1t is wiser so, Mademoiselle the
Vicomte said Il wonder" he added
whether Mademoiselle will pardon the
impertinence of a purely personal ques-
tione''
II will try" she answered demurely.
This Englishman-Sir George Dun
combe-are you perhaps-hoW you say,
betrothed TO him?"
A certain bluntness in the question,
and the real or affected anxiety of the
young mans tone brought the color
streaming into her cheeks.
Monsieur. she exclaimed, you
really must not
'Ah, but, Mademoiselle," he inter-
rupted, so much depends upon your
answer"
Absurd" she murmured. Il really
do not see why / should answer such
a question at all
You will be merciful?' he begged.
lowering his tone.
Il WILL" she answered. II hope you
will appreciate my confidence. | am
not engaged to Sir George Duncombe"
His sigh of relief was marvellous She
found ii harder than ever to keep the
laughter from her eyes.
"MademOiselle. he declared. lit
makes me happy to have you say this"
Really, Vicomte." she protested.
THE situation, too" he said be
na N acil
deal with him now. He shall annoy
you no more!"
But he doesn't annoy me-" she an
swered calmy. "On the contrary I
should like to see him very much, if
were permitted
"Mademoiselle will understand we'll
the indiscretion," he said earnestly.
She sighed a little YEARLY.
Il am afraid" she said. that | find
1t a little hard to understand anything
clearly, but you see that | trust you
will not see him..
''Mademoiselle is very WISE he an
swered. Indeed. it is better not. There
remains now a question which l have
come TO ask"
''Well?"
''Madernoiselle did not by chance
whilst waiting for her brother think
of examining his luggage?"
She nodded.
Il did look through it," she admit
ted
There was a paper there. which is
missing now a sheet of paper with
writing on tin German. 1t is not
possible that Mademoiselle took possess
sion of it?" he demanded eagerly
She nodded.
That is just what did do" she
said. II could read a few words, and
l could not understand how il came to
be in his bag. 1t seemed to be part
of an official agreement between two
countries"
You have ii in your possession"
She shook her head.
Il gave it to some one to take care
of" she said, when l was over in
England. / got frightened when we
were nearly caught at Runton, and
did not want ii to be found upon me-"
ITO whom?" he cried.
ITO Sir George Duncombe,"
The Vicomte was silent for moment
You believe" he asked. that Sir
George Duncombe would guard it care
fully?"
Il am sure he would" she answered.
''Mademoiselle," he said, "this is very
Your brothers luggage has
been searched, and we came to the
conclusion that the paper had been
taken by those who had followed him
here, and may possibly have been
aware that he had it. If we can get
possession of il, il will be very much
to the advantage of your country and
mine. l scarcely dare say more Will
you give me a letter to Sir George in
structing him to deliver il up to me?"
She leaned a little forward and
looked steadily into his eyes
Monsieur lie Vicomte," she said. II
do not know you very well. and it is
very hard indeed for me to tell who
are my friends here. Can | trust
your"
'Mademoiselle," he answered. Il will
not say like your brother for it is a
relationship | have no wish to bear
Let me say like the person to whors
your welfare is dearer even than his
own"
Phyllis felt her lips curve into
smile. Despite his youth and manner.
which seemed to her little affected,
there was nevertheless undoubted earn
estness in the admiration which he took
no pains to conceal.