The Washington herald., 1908-03-02

I
evening gloves. broken watch-and ali
sorts Of things Ike .hat- The fact IS
she declared. laughing sweetly and CLAN
cling again at him. II have almost ex-
hausted all the subterfuges"
''Ah. dearest, a woman can always find
some excuse" he remarked. joining in her
laughter
yes. but that's all very wen; you
haven't a father" she protested. so you
don't know
she had cnly left school al Brighton
two years before. therefore her claRdes-
tine meetings with Charlie Rolfe were
adventures which she dearly loved. And,
moreover, they both of them were devoted
70 each other. Charlie absolutely adored
her. Hitherto women had never attracted
him. but from the day OF their lntroduc-
ton on the grayeled walk In front OF The
villa des Fleurs at AK, hrs whole life
had changed. He was hcrs-hers utterly
and entirely.
For three months ne had existed in con-
slant uncertainty. until one warm even
ms at ScarDOrOugh-Whers she and her
father we're staying AT the Graad-while
they were alone together in the slOping
garden Of the Spa, he summoned courage
10 tell her the secret OF his heart, and
to his overwhelming joy found that his
passion was TeciprocateG Thus had they
become lovers.
AS Max rightly guessed. ne had feared
for the present 10 tell Dr. Petrovltch the
truth lest he should object and parting
be the result. His position was not what
ne wished It 70 be- IS secretary 70 the
eccentric old inancier. his salary was
an adequate one, but bot sufficient to pro-
vide Maud with a home such as her own
He therefore intended IN a little while
10 tell old Statham the truth, ana 20 ask
FOR more And until he had done so, he
hesitated 20 demand Of the doctor his
daughters hand.
Together they .stroiied slowly or. chat
ting as lovers viii. At the bottom Of
Fopslone road they continued round the
crescent Of Philbeach Gardens, along
Warwick road. and crossing Old Bromp-
ton road, entered that maze OF quiet.
eminently respectable streets II the neigh
borhood OF Redcline Square, stroIllns
slowly on in the falling gloom
Do you know. darling" he exclaimed
at last. I wanted 10 see you very par
ticularly this evening. because am leav-
ing London tonight for Servla"
FOR Servia7' she cried, hating and
fixing her great eyes upon his in quick
surprise.
Yes"
Her countsnance fell.
Then yOu-yOu are leaving meT'
IL IS imperative. my darling" he sale.
"a .ow tender voice taking her hand in
his He wished 20 kiss her sweet lips, hut
there IN the open street such action was
impossible Courtship in our grimy. mat
ter-of-fact London has many drawbacks
even though every house contains its life
romance and every street holds ITS man
or woman with a broken heart.
But you never told me-" she COM
plained. You've left It until the last
minute. DO you start from Charing Crozs
tonight"
Yes. I would leave tomorrow a. 8.
and catch the Orient Express from Calais
ior Belgrade. but have business to do
IN Paris Tomorrow.
"Ah. Belgrade sighed the girl. T
wonder II shall ever see It again? Long
ago I used 10 be 50 fond OF Z. and Ne
had so very many good friends. Dear
CID dad Is so popular Why. when we
drove out the people IN their brown
hOme-spun clothes used 20 run after the
carriage and cheer 'Petrovitch the Pa
triot.' as they call dad"
"Of course. you will return soon"
Charlie said. mo doubt your father viii
be induced TO enter the new PashItch
cabinet"
The girl shook her head dublously.
I know the King has several times
asked him 10 return 70 Servia. but :or
some mysterious reason he has always
declined"
But he IS the most popular man in the
country. and he cannot remain away
much longer II Is his duty 20 return and
assist in the government"
you know. and I think that may be the
reason he does not care 70 return" re-
Piled the girl why are you going
there?' she asked
on a mission for Statham-regardins a
mining concession" he answered. You
know we have lot OF interests out there.
Perhaps I shall be away only a week or
two-perhaps six months"
Six months she cried. IN 8 blank
voice. 1T is such a long. long time TO
look forward TO-"
Il have no desire 20 leave you. my own
darling he declared. looking straight
into her beautiful face "'But the mission
is confidential, and Tor that reason 7 have
received orders TO 20"
Your train leaves az g." she said. and
i IS already nearly 7-Only two hoursI
And those two remaining hours I cannot
spend With you. for I must be IN TO din
ner az I. I must leave you in a moment"
she added, and the faint flush IN her
face died away
Her voice ceased he looked down
musiEg. without replying. He was I'm
pressed By her utter loneliness-inpress-
ed. too. without knowing It By the time
and place The twilight OF the short
evening was gathering fase A cold. damp
feeling was mingled with the silence OF
the dull, drab London street. II struck
him that IL felt like a grave.
slight nervous trembling came over
his well-beloved, and a weary little sigh
escaped her lips.
That sigh OF hers recalled hln 20
sense OF her distress ST his departure
and the face that met he- troubled eyes
was in an instant. as fun as ever OF reso-
lutte hopefulness-
what matters. my own,> II I am
away: he asked. with smile I'VE love
each other. and that is ail-sufficient."
All the pity of his strong. tender nature
went forth 10 the lovely girl whom he
loved with such strong. passionate devo-
ton
What matter. indeed" she cried.
hOaTsely. tears springing to her eyes. ''Is
ii no matter that see you, Charlie? All,
you DO not know how 7 count the hours
when we shall meet gain-how-how--"
And, unable to further restrain her emo
tion. she burst into tears.
He was silent. What. indeed. could he
say?
Reflections. considerations. possibilities
crowded in upon his mind, already dis
turbed and perplexed. The sweetness OF
the hours passed IN her society had in
creased insensibly ever since that we'll
afternoon in AK; the tones
of her voice, the notes of those melodious
old Servian songs she so often sang, her
slightest action held a charm for him
such as his earnest nature had never ex-