Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-13
The Red Symbol
Continued from page 9

COHnHNed
yes, when their grasp has closed on man or
woman; but they are incredibly stupid in
many ways. See how often she herself has
slipped through their fingersl But this is far
more dangerous. She has fallen under sus-
pcion of the League"
The League that has red geraniu1n as its
symbol"
He started and glanced round as if he sus-
pected some spy concealed even In this, his own
voice
4 have heard of it. Are you member of :"
Il? Colt i'm Himmel, no! Why should 1
myself mix in these Russian politics? But Car
son was involved with them,-how much even
I do not know,-and she has been one of them
since her childhood. Now they say she is
traitress. If possible they will bring her before
the Five-the secret tribunal. Even they do
not forget all she has done for them. and they
would give her the chance of proving her in
nocence. But if she will not return, they will
think that is sufficient proof and they will kill
her, wherever she may be.
How do you know all this?"
Carson told me before left for Wilma. He
meant to warn her. They guessed that, and
they condemned, murdered, him.
HE began pacing up and down the room, NUT
- tering to himself, and sat trying to piece
out the matter in my own mind.
Have you heard anything of a man called
Cassavetti-though l believe his name was
Selinski?" l asked at length.
Won Eckhardt turned to me open mouthed.
"Selinski? He is himself one of the Five! He
is in London, has been there for months, and it
is he who is to bring her before the tribunal, by
force or guile.
He is dead murdered, stabbed to the heart
in his own room, even as Carson was, four days
ago."
"Dead That, at least is of her enemies
disposed of. That is good news, splendid news
Herr Wynnl Why did you not tell me that be-
fore? To gracious message an host of tongues
bestow,' as our Shakespeare says. How is it
you know so much! Do you also know where
She is? l was told she would be here, three
days since; that is why have waited. And
she has not come! She is still in England?"
mo. she left on Sunday morning. do not
know where she is; but she has been seen at
Ostend with-the Russian Grand Duke Loris."
hated saying those last words; but / had
to say it, for, though knew Anne Pendennis
was lost to me, felt a deadly jealousy of this
Russian, to whom or with whom she had fed
and | meant to find out all that Won Eckhardt
might know about him and his connection
with her.
1.-The Grand Duke Loris!" he repeated "She
was with him openly? Does she think him
strong enough to protect her. or does she
She must know that'
What is he to herr" think put the ques-
ton quietly. though wanted to take him by
the throat and wiring the truth out of him.
"He2 He is the cause of all the trouble He
loves her. Yes. l told you that all good men
who have but even seen her, love her; she is the
ideal of womanhood. One loves her, you and I
love her; for see well that you yourself have
fallen under her spell. We love her as we love
the stars that are so infinitely above us,-so
bright, SO remote adorablel But he loves
her as man loves woman. she loves him as
woman loves man. And he is worthy of her
Lowell He would i've up everything his rank,
his name. his wealth, willingly, gladly if she
would be his wife. But she will not, while her
country needs her. 1t is her influence that has
made him what he is. the avowed friend of the
prosecuted people. ground down under the iron
heel of the autocracy Yet it is through him
that she has fallen under suspicion; for the
League will not believe that he is sincere: they
will trust aristocrat."
HE babbled on; but scarcely needed him. l
- was beginning to pierce the veil of mystery,
or / thought | was, and no longer condemned
Anne Pendennis, as in my heart l had con-
demned her only an hour back. The web of
intrigue and deceit that enshrouded her was not
of her spinning: it was fashioned on the tragic
loom of Fate.
She loved this Loris, and he loved her? So
be it | hated him in my heart; though. even
if l had possessed the power, l should have
wrought him no harm, lest by so doing should
bring suffering to her. Henceforth must love
her as Won Eckhardt professed to door was
his protestation mere hyperbole! CAS- we love