The Detroit times., 1909-05-31
THE Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
CHAPTER Lxv,.-(continued).
By W. Holt Whife


While It is yet light will descend
lin the smaller OF my airships to the
garden Of the imperial palace. and
there meet the car. and, il his ma
jesty choUses, shall be glad if the
czarina will accompany him. am
sufficiently human in feeling TO desire
/! to assure them that their boy shall
be treated with every consideration,
that he is in reality as safe with me
AS with them. Moreover. should they
desire 1t. | will bring the boy with me
that they may see him and bid him
goodbye for the little time | hope it
will be necessary for me TO keep him.
After this there was a great pause
ana Strong concluded, justly, that this
was woman's work.
la spite of his pride. in spite of his
high principles, the car would at
least consult the czarina on such a
| point as this
| A quarter OF an hour indeed went by
before there came an answer.
Then the instrument flashed out:
| The car agrees. He pledges his
sacred word that Mr. Strong's safety
| shall be respected on condition that
| the safety Of the czarina and himself
shall be respected in turn by Mr.
Strong"
Strong answered:
Il desire nothing better"
| Covered by the Victor" Strong
therefore put down the "Di," holding
the now greatly comforted child in his
arms.
| Strong also had an eye for effect,
and therefore he took Miss Hunt with
him.
And hope" he said to himself
somewhat bitterly. that it may help
to comfort mamma
Ii had been quite unnecessary for
Strong TO point out how truly defence
less the ear and ezarina would have
been under the guns and shells OF the
l"Victor." He knew that that had been
we'll considered before the reply had
been made 10 him.
II was now growing dark. and still
showing, as Strong climbed over tho
side of the "Di,' and. turning about.
reached up his hands for the care
witch
He took the child quite tenderly, and
looked around him in the gloom
Two pathetic figures approached him.
The Gar walked like broken man.
his head dropped and mis- face was
lhaggard. a little JOY and 4 little relief
crert into his CHASTITY countenance as
he beheld his boy.
He gave sharp cry and stretched
out his arms, and let them fall again
neryelessly TO his side
| But the czarina was a brave and
Iqueenly figure.
| She came up as one having great
confidence in herself and in others;
and her face was proud but kindly.
| Strong said never a word, but gave
the boy into her arms.
She bowed her face over him, AMI
! held him tightly in silence.
Strong pulled of his cap and stood
bareheaded In the snow.
Madame. he said, and the dis
tress IN his voice made the czarina
glance up at him. Madame. can
not tell YOU how regret being com
PEELED 10 behave SO brut3'ly."
He said no more. but IL sufficed.
| The empress looked up al him again
with slow. strange smile She look
cd AT him long and thoughtfuuy.
Yes she said, as one who catches
at a far-on meaning. II believe that in
reality you only mean 10 be kind
The words Of the empress and her
EXPIRE ssion touched Strong 10 the
quick He would have spoken again
| He Rated 10 stand I'm the presence Of
so much agony OF spirit.
IL was the empress who spoke first
Gro sc ContinuedD
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An incandescent lamp fixture which
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