Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-02-25
URMONT FREDERICK FEBRUARY 25 1909

he deserted the graceful hgure OF
Monsieur jacob at the far end, going
in the opposite direction. This
caused him to slacken his pace so as
to allow the violinist time to get
round the corner before he rang the
bell of No. 81.
The Baroness was at home.
Charles Mistley gave his name, and
after a short delay was requested to
step upstairs. AS he entered the
drawing room, she arose from seat
near the window to greet him, but
did not advance single step.
In Difference to her foreign GUS
tom, the young Englishman bowed
without Offering his hand. He no.
ticed that the Baroness was per-
fectly self-possessed, although very
pale. Then he broke the momentary
silence without displaying the least
sign of embarrassment or hesitation.
Miss Wright is not here?" he
said, quietly.
mo"
"But this is her day. is it not. ma
dame?"
"No; she comes to me tomorrow. i"
"Ah! 1 have deranged you for
nothing then. thought would find
Miss Wright here. l wished to tell
her that l have received seats for a
theatre tonight"
He made. movement as IL he
would go, then he appeared to change
his mind.
II have never had an opportunity.
madame" he said, "of expressing my
sympathy. Since had the pleasure
Of meeting you last year, you have
had great misfortune, believe"
The Baroness bowed her beautiful
head and resumed her seat with a
peculiar smoothness of action, mo-
tioning her visitor to sit down at the
same time.
"You are very kind" she sal. in
low voice, expressive Of greater
emotion than the occasion would
seem to demand. 81 have passed
through certain misfortunes-too
long to narrate even to such a pa
tient listener as yourself"
Charlie had not accepted her invi-
tation to seat himself. Instead OF SO
doing he advanced toward the win.
dow, and was leaning against the
woodwork, looking down at her.
ri was not aware" he said. until
Just lately that you had the misfor-
tune to be Russian subject. Any
one Of that nationality is interesting
to me. as you are perhaps aware.
My father was connected with Russia
for many years, and now my brother
has followed in his footsteps"
Lower and lower the fair head as
bent over the motionless hands.
which lay upon her simple dress with
a peculiar stiffness, but the Baroness
made no reply.
But do not wish to awaken dis
agreeable memories. madame; all I
desire is to express my sympathy and
my readiness to be of any service to
you. 1t is the least an Englishman
can do in his own country, which Is
not exactly renowned for its SYM
pathy toward strangers.
do not call me madame" she
said. Il am not madame. took
my mothers title for the sake of con-
venience, in London"
Charles Mistley looked down at her
without betraying the least sign OF
surprise; but he changed color slight
ly.
That only makes your claim upon
my services the stronger" he said,
after a pause.
The Baroness bowed her head ST.
lently, and said:
Monsieur, l have no claim upon
your services. On the contrary, you
are the last Englishman to whom l
should apply in case required as
sistance."
II do not understand"
you will do so, however, when I
tell you that my real name Is Marie
Bakovitch."
Marie Bakovitch!" repeated the
Englishman, slowly, Marie Bako-
vitch."
She raised her cold blue eyes to
his, watching keenly the effect of the
revelation she had just made.
"Then," she said, your brother
has told you?"
..No ColopaI Uyr;ubt toId ,,o
"And now do you understand why
can claim no disinterested service
from you?"
NO." he said, simply.
She laughed q little short laugh
that would have been harsh had her
voice not been wonderfully melodi-
GUS.
"You Englishmen are so aggra-
vatingly chivalrous." she said. with
us 1t is different. Women are nearer
to the men in Russia"
Il do not understand, mademoi-
selle," said the young sailor, gravely,
why you have told me this.
"No?" she raised her eyes to his
again. He would have been blind
had he not understood what he read
there. ut is long story" she con-
tinued, "and-perhaps an old one.
Also it is not cheerful. for it is the
story of mistake"
Tell 1t to me-" he said. quietly.
Eighteen months ago, immediate
ly after your brother left England, l
had long and serious illness.
Through 1t l was nursed by my maid
a child of sixteen, assisted by my
friend, Ivan Meyer. When I re-
covered sufficiently to take an inter-
est life, learned from him that he
was i'm nat tiently awaiting the nom emf