The Washington herald., 1908-03-27

ics, ne signed. You have guessed
correctly-unfortunate."
ana then dead silence FELL and Mar
ion, watching his face. saw that he was
rejecting deeply.
OF sudden, he looked straight into
her face again. and said:
You have a lover. Miss Rolfe-and
you are happy. Is not that so?'
The girl blushed deeply at this unex-
pected statement. How could the old
man possibly know, unless some OF the
people at CunningtOn's had carried tales
to him. Perhaps Mr.. Warner had told
Mr. Cunnington. and he had spoken to the
millionaire.
Il see" he laughed. that I've spoken
the truth. Max Barclay loves you, doesn't
he? He's a friend of your brothers. ]
know him.. and allow me to congratulate
you. He's a thoroughly good fellow. and
would be better, II he'd keep of hazard
Gus speculation"
She did not reply. The old mans final
sentence impressed her. Max's specula-
tions were hazardous. This was news TO
her.
You don't deny that you love young
Barclay, do your the old man demanded.
She hesitated, her cheeks crimsoning.
We'll, why should T." she asked He
Is very good 20 me-very good. indeed ."
That's right" he said approvingly. IF
1 did not think him an honest, upright
fellow I should warn you against him.
Girls in your dependent position. YOU
know, are too frequently victims Of men
whom the world call gentlemen. You
know that. don't you?"
Yes" she answered in a low voice.
She was impressed by his solicitude on
her behalf. In his eyes was a kindly
glance. and she began TO declare within
herself that she had misjudged him.
Well he went on, when II came
TO my knowledge that Max Barclay was
paying court 10 you, and that you were
seen together of an evening and on Sun
days, II gave me great satisfaction.
owe debt OF gratitude to your poor
father, Miss Rolfe,' and l am endeavoring
TO repay II 10 his children Therefore
l admit 10 you now that more than once
! wondered what kind Of lover would
be yours. I anticipated annoyance, but.
on the contrary. I have only the most
complete satisfaction"
Il am sure. Mr.. Statham. il is very
kind OF you to say this. And surely It
is very generous Of you 10 take an inter-
est in Charlie and myself"
1T is not a matter Of kindness, but a
matter OF duty" he said. I'VE were talk
4-A6 VI ASo'ANAdg- A1tW NiQ you meet MIN.
Charlie introduced him TO me one
Sunday afternoon in the park"
And he has promised you marriage?
Tell me frankly"
She nodded. again blushing deeply.
Then YOU have my very heertiest
wishes for your future happiness he de-
clared with a pleasant smile. Mind 1
am told the date. so that can send you
the usual teapot
Whereat they both laughed in chorus.
The old man could be charming when
he wished
"Oh! we shan't be married for a long
time yet. 1 supposer' Marion exclaimed
Max talks Of going with a shooting
party up the Zambesi next spring. They'll
be away fun year, 1 expect"
And you'll be left all alone?" he said
in tone Of surprise NO, don't think
he'll do that He ought not to leave you
alone at Cunnington's."
"Oh. but he's going out 10 Turkey now
in a few days. I think. He has some
financial business out there. Something
which will bring him in a very big sum
OF money"
"Oh, What's it's nature?" asked the old
hnancier, instantly pricking up his ears
I believe it's a concession from the
Sultan for the construction OF a railway
from some place on the Servian frontier
across Northern Albania down to San
Giovanni di Medua-if I pronounce the
name aright-On the Adriatic."
What" cried Statham, starting UP.
Are you quite certain of this?"
Yes; why?" she asked, surprised at
the sudden effect her words had produced
upon him.
''Well-well. because this is a surprise
he Ill
the details, as far as you know them.
Has he spoken to you about it?"
Yes. He is hesitatlng 20 go, not wish
ing to leave me-"
"Of course. Did ! not tell you so a mo-
ment agO7" he remarked with a smile
But are you aware that this concession,
IL the Sultan really gives il, is Of the
greatest Importance TO the commercial
development Of the near East? There are
big interests involved, and correspondents
ly big profits. Curious that / have not
heard anything of the scheme latelyl
It's a dream that every Balkan states
man has had for the past fifteen years
the creating Of an outlet for trade 10 the
Adriatic; but the Sultan could never be
induced to allow the line 10 run through
his dominion. He is not too friendly with
either Bulgaria or Servia. 1 thought I
openings in COnstantinople where British
capital can be employed. Yet 1 haven't
heard anything OF this iong-discussed
scheme for quite a year"
Your informants believe, perhaps, that
II would not interest you2"
Interest me,' he echoed why. they
could not successfully carry il through
In London without my aid-or at least
without my consent. Whoever is getting
the concession-if it is being obtained
at all, which I very much doubt-knows
full well that N the long run he must
come to Sam Statham. Do you happen
10 know who, besides Barclay, is inter
ested in the scheme?"
There is a French gentleman friend
of Max's-who wants him 10 go to Con-
stantinople with him"
What is his name? I may probably
know hIm7''
"Adam-Jean ADAM
Jean Adami' gasped the old man.
Jean Adam-a friend of Max Barclay?',
Yes" she answered, staring at him.
'Why?''
why. girlr' he cried roughly. Don't
ask me whyl But tell me all about it
tell me at once"