The Washington herald., 1908-03-01

suppose dad is in any way blino- He
generally Is too wide-awake | have to
make ali sorts OF excuses TO get out
dressmakers, painting lessons. buying
evening gloves. a broken watch-and all
sorts Of things Ike that. The fact is,
she declared, laughing sweetly and gian-
cling again at him. i have almost ex-
hausted all the sukterfuges."
"Ah, dearest. a Wtman can always find
some excuse. he remarked. joining in her
laughter
yes. but that's an very well; you
havenSt a father" she protested, so yoU
don't know"
She had only left school ar Brighton
two years before, therefore her clandes-
tine meetings with Charlie Rolfe were
adventures which she dearly loved. And
moreover. they both OF them were devoted
TO each other. Charlie absolutely adOred
her Hitherto women had never attracted
him. but from the day of their intrOduc-
tion on the graveled walk in front OF the
Villa des Fleurs at AK. his whole life
had changed. lie was hers-hers utterly
and entirely.
For three months he had existed In con-
slant uncertainty, until one warm even
ing at Scarborough-where she and her
father were staying at the Grand-whfie
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 reciprocated. Thus had they
become lovers.
As Max rightly guessed. he had feared
for the present 10 tell DR.. Petrovitch the
truth lest he SHOULD object and parting
f,.4 rfo
he wished it to be As secretary 10 the
eccentric old hnancier. his salary was
an adequate one. but not sufficient 10 pro
vide Maud with a home such as her own
He therefore intended in a little while
10 tell old Statham the truth and to ask
for more. And until he had done so, he
hesitated TO demand Of the doctor his
daughters hand
Together they strOlled slowly on. chat
ting as lovers viii. At the bottom of
Fopstone 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 in the neigh
horhOcd Of RedcHne Square. strolllng
slowly on in the falling gloom
Do you know. darling" ne exclaimed
az last Il wanted 20 see you very par
i Y
ing London tonight for Servia.
For Servis?' she cried. halting and
fixing her great eyes upon his in quick
surprise
Yes"
Her countenance fell.
Then yOu-yCu are leaving me?r
1t is imperative my darling" he said.
In low. tender voice, taking her hand IN
his. He wished 20 kiss her sweet lips. but
there in the open street such action was
impossible. Courtship in our grimy mat
ter-0f-fact London has many drawbacks.
even though every house contains its life
romance and every street holds It's man
or woman with broken heart.
But you never told me-" she com
planned. You've left il until the last
minute. Do you start from Charing Cross
tO-night2'
Yes ] would leave tomorrow at 8.
and catch the Orient Express from Calais
Tor Belgrade. but / have business 10 do
IN Paris tomorrow.
All Belgradet- sighed the girl Il
wonder II 1 shall ever see it again? Long
ago ] used 10 be so fond OF H. and we
had so very many good friends. Dear
old dad IS 80 popular. Why. when we
drove out the people in their brown
Home-Spun clothes used 70 run after the
carriage and cheer 'PetrOvitch the Pa
triot.' as they call dad"
"Of course, you viii return soon. '-
Charlie said NO doubt your father viii
be induced TO enter the new Pashiteh
cabinet"
The girl shook her head obviously.
Il know the King has several times
asked him 20 return TO Servia. but for
some mysterious reason he has always
declined.
But he is the most popular man In ;he
country. and he cannot remain away
much longer. II Is his duty 10 return and
assist IN the government
Yes. But my mother died in Belgrade
you Know, and I think that may be the
reason he does not care 10 return re-
piled the girl Why are you going
there?" she asked
ON mission FOR Statham-regarding a
mining concession, he answered You
know we have a lot Of interests out there
Perhaps I shall be away only a week or
twO-perhaps six months"
six monthsr' she cried. in a blank
voice 1T is such a long, long time to
look forward to-"
i have no desire TO leave you. my own
darling" he declared. looking straight
into her beautiful face But the mission
- 'olAi4teitlat, ana lOT IndI reason / have
received orders TO GO"
Your train leaves at g" she said. and
II Is already nearly 7-Only two hours
And those two remaining hours I cannot
spend with you. for / must be IN 20 din
ner at 4 I must leave you in a moment. e
she added. and The faint flush in her
face died away.
Her voice ceased. He looked down
musinE without replying He was i'm
pressed by her utter loneliness-impress-
ed. toe without knowing It by the time
and place. The twilight of the short
evening was gathering fass. cold. damp
feeling was mingled with the silence of
the dull. drab London street 1t struck
him that il felt like grave
A slight nervous trembling came over
his well-beloved, and a weary little sigh
escaped her lips
That sigh Of hers recalled him TO A
sense Of her distress ar his departure.
and the face that met her troubled eyes
was In an instant, as fun as ever Of reso-
lutte hopefulness.
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.