Evening star., 1909-07-10
A Woman's Enchantment- William lie Queux

bow. well knowing that if granny gave
his word to pay bill he would do it
even If years elapsed.
Though an adventurer pure and sim
pie. he was curiously enough the very
soul of honor. MeannesS had no place
within his heart. If he pitted his wits
against sharp men of business and won,
well-it was only what was done in the
city every day. He never took advan-
tage of a poor man, and for any one
In straits he always had ready a franc
or two
I had, however. never seen him so de-
jected as on this night.
He had, 1t seemed, been in Rumania
for the past six months. endeavoring to
obtain from the government a conces-
sion for a big American syndicate of
some oil wells recently discovered at
the foot Of the Transylvanian Alps. By
the expenditure in secret commissions
of the greater part Of the money he pos
sessed he had brought the business up
to the point when the concession was
about to be signed by the minister of
the interior.
For him this would mean a comfort
able income for life. and what was far
more, marriage with that sweet-faced
girl, scarcely out Of her teens, whom
he loved so truly and so well. Myra
Stapleton lived at home in Yorkshire.
the daughter of small country squire.
while her cosmopolitan lover travelled
constantly over the face of Europe.
schemfng always to obtain sufficient
view. Myra-and honesty in the future.
i was one of the very few-perhaps,
indeed, the only person-who knew the
truth of Granny's love romance. Myra.
wealthy man. and. fearing to lose her
by undeceiving her. he had been COM
PEELED to sustain the fiction.
Yes" he was saying in a low. hoarse
voice. in tones ] could scarcely hear
amid the din and clatter of the cafe
and the weird strains of The Tzigane
band. this means. Phil, that I've lost
Myra. I must write and tell her-tell
her the CHASTITY truth
BE patient my dear old fellow" /
urged. Don't do anything rash, You've
been in many tigh- corner before. you
know, and have always wriggled out.
Why shouldn't you do SO again "
Because to do this oil business I've
not only spent every sou I possess. but
I've also borrowed money which l can't
repay" was his response.
But you'll pay it some day. All your
creditors trust you"
Not for the amount 7 now owe
Tell me. Granny. how has all this
that's passed between you and Myra.
Recollect we were together when we
first met Her and her father"
"Ah. yes.'. sighed my friend. II re-
member only too well. ! loved her. PHIL
from the very first moment we met
Old Stapleton believes me wealthy other
wise he'd never have allowed me to pay
court to his only daughter"
He doesn't know you are secretly
engaged-eho" T asked
Certainly not How could I. a mere
adventurer. go to him.
Don't use that word adventurer.
Granny" protested, II don't like it
Well. it's the truth-and the truth is
generally ugly!''
"But how did this fellow. Garshore
manage to get the concession over your
head? Have you known him long?''
About six months Met him first in
Berlin, at the Kaiserhof. and thought
him gentleman. He came here. we
often went out together. and in response
to his artful question l. like fool.
told him what l was after. He said
nothing, but a week later left Bucharest.
In a month he was back again. He'd
been over to America in the meantime.
and returned as agent of a big group
in New York. and with a substantial
credit at the Bank of Roumania- While
posing as my friend, and going out with
me every evening. he was working
against me in secret-working in low
down way
How"
by bribing lady friend of the Min
lister Soutzo-a lady who he found was
becoming rather obnoxious to his eX
cellency. The person in question went
Yesterday to the minister. II appears.