The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-02-24
CHAPTER TX.
A Fair Propagandist.

"A FmT lTOphSduulst.
The prince received the French
engineer in the most cordial way.
Wanda extended him her little
white hand, which peeped out
from wide sleeve of ruby velvet.
"Allow me-" said the prince, Ito
swallow a mouthful of breakfast
and put on my coat: l shall be
with you in 20 minutes"
Raymond found himself alone
with Wanda for the first time
since his arrival at Petersburg;
his face glowed with delight.
1--WE have not seen one another
for two months" said the prime
ess. How much we have to talk
about, haven't WEI"
LET me come to myself. The
happiness of seeing you alone Is
so great am dazzied."
Wanda looked at him with a
tender smile.
Yesterday, at the ball. you
were so surrounded, so beautiful.
that I did not dare approach or
|speak to you; and tonight, at the
|club, the few words that / uttered
were recalled with so much irony.
"How long these two months
have been! continued Chabert.
l"If you could but know how my
heart and my soul have thirsted
to hear your voice! How / have
missed our walks and talks by
the banks of the Dnieper!"
"My dear Raymond" said Wan
da, laughing, you are decidedly
too gallant for conspirator.
do you call me gallant because
I tell you what a void your alb
sence made in my life?"
"Forgive me, dearest friend;
cannot let you go on, for you GER
tainly will propose, and that, you
know, according to our agreement,
cannot be allowed"
81 propose to you?-the worm
| to the star? 1t is not love that
feel for you--it is worship, re-
Ispectful worship. Can the sun
lprevent us from warming our
selves in it's rays?"
every oriental! Bravo! But
that is enough, isn't it? Do let us
talk sensibly!"
81 haven't any sense left. When
I think that you have deigned tc
interest yourself in me; when
think how kindly you have listen
ed to the tale of my folly, and
how, by your words, you have
poured hope into my blightet
life, l cannot restrain my graft
ltude. And I would like to prove
lit to you, not by words merely
but by deeds, If my life can evel
be of use to you
"Take care, l might possibly &C
cept that offer"
Twill you truly?"
"But do you forget your prom
Use? Suppose Michael Federof
should claim IT."
| HE asked me to devote my life
to the service of the great cause
but / did not give him a promise.
"That is a delicate distinction
However, as DR.. Federoff's views
and mine are Identical, we shall
probably understand one another.
"Then will you accept the Offer
of my life? Wanda, my sister, m!
friend, I am intoxicated with de
light"
Speaking of the DOCTOR" con
tinued Wanda, "have you received
anything from Geneva?"
eyes, large package"
"What is in it?"
81 do not know. 1t was intend
ed for you"
"Why did you not tell me abou
lit?"
"I was ordered not to give it t.
you until you attained your ma
jority, that is, in eight days, thu
13th of January.
"Did Michael Federoff write yol
THAR"
eyes"
"Do you think they are politica
Ipamphlets?" inquired the prin
lcess, very much excited.
cit may be very long letter.
''Did he tell you why he did no
|send 1t to me at once?"
HE was afraid that 1t woul,
fall into the hands of the prince.
II every probably! Well, to shoy
how strong I am, though I am dy
ling with curiosity, 1 will wait unit
the 18TH"
The prince entered. 81 an
ready" he said, "and the sled
waiting. Let us CO."
! Raymond bowed to Wanda, lay
ling his hand upon his heart, in or
Iiental fashion, and left the room
with the prince.
!, what a loyal nature, what
generous heart" thought Wanda
, "If / were allowed to love-per
haps"-
Il Then suddenly passing he
hands across her brow, as though
to Danish thought, she said:
i "No, no, / will not. Apostle
dare not love. / have taken tn
loath-and this man might possibl
lcause me to forget the other"
II A footman entered, bringing
Icard.
il ASK the gentleman to com
Iup," she said.
i 1t was Count Verenine.
!, "Ah! Wanda!" he exclaimed
"what a night 1 have passed! HOY