Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-02-26

A temptation came to him not to be
outdone In a matter Of confidence, but
he resisted it, Taking the box, in
which there were only few gems for
Informal occasions, he went away and
placed 1t in his safe.
The next evening ut dinner the young
widow was enhancing. She seemed
to be i'll light, happy mood. She
told the story OF how the host had re-
fused to permit her to visit his safe
without his being present and set all
the guests laughing by its humorous
telling. The host laughed with the
rest, and had he not been coming un-
der a spell that would have ended the
matter. As 1t was he WINGED. There
was underneath Mrs. Woods humor
faint suspicion Of ridicule. He tried
to excuse himself, but only got tangled
in his own excuses.
Don't you think" said the lady to
the others, that Sir Bradford owes
me some reparation?
All bantcringly agreed that he did.
well, this is the last night of our
visit here. Let him intrust me with
the key Of his safe till tomorrow morn
ing"
All declared that such an act would
not necessarily be showing any con-
fidence whatever. But the widow in
sisted that 1t would satisfy her, and
she smilingly held out her hand for
the key.
The thought flashed through Sir
Bradford'S head that the safe, being
In his own room would be under his
control through the night. There was
pretty woman smiling ut him, daring
him-a woman with whom he was
fascinated and whom he thought 1t
advantageous to marry. Nevertheless
he did not consent Then suddenly
there came n flash from the woman's
eyes, naughty look as IL she deemed
such denial of confidence insulting.
Sir Bradford put his hand In his pocket
and tossed the key on the table be-
fore her
Amid burst of laughter she seized
1t and placed 1t in her corsaGe
The diplomat had no sooner yielded
to an impulse than he regretted his
act A man under woman's spell Is
liable to rush from one extreme to an
other One moment he trusts her I'M
plicitly; the next he fears that he has
fallen into the tolls OF a devil. At any
rate, such was the fear OF Sir Brad
ford. Never for moment during the
evening did he leave the side of the
woman who possessed the key Of his
safe-the safe where was deposited
that which if it passed into the pos
session OF another would ruin him. If
he turned away from her for mo-
ment 1t was that she should not see
the expression on his face when he
cursed himself for n fool.
The widow rallied him continually.
Aren't you going to give me one mo-
ment alone?" BE comforted! / am
not In the habit of visiting any but
my own room when | visit "Will
you sleep with n revolver under your
pillow tonight?" These were some OF
the gatherings she gave him, much to
the amusement of the guests. AT mid
night, when the party broke up, she
had made no move. She rose with
the others and went up to her room.
The moment Sir Bradford heard her
door close he went up to his own
apartment. With his eyes fixed on his
safe he gave himself up to tumultuous
musing, 1t contained his possible ruin.
and the key was in the possession of
a woman he had known but a few
days.
pooh, pooh. What an ass. She
only did 1t to bedevil me. Nonsense!
| have revolver under my pillow,
and if any one should come in here
tonight More nonsense! Who's to
Gomez" Thus he tried to dismiss the
matter from his mind. But, oh, II he
only had the key!
He went to bed and tried to sleep.
Slumber would not come, Fancylng
he heard q movement In his room, he
arose and struck light. He was
ashamed of himself for doing so, but
left it burning. This made him feel
trIfie more comfortable, and toward
morning he went to sleep.
He was awakened by his valet bring
ing hot water. After a glance at the
safe, which showed no evidence of
having been tampered with, he arose,
dressed and went down to breakfast,
A maid approached him and said;
Il took the hot water to Mrs, Wood,
room G. She didn't answer when |
Knocked, and | went in. She isn't
there"
Sir Bradford blanched. Like light
ming the thought flashed through his
brain that the key OF his safe had gone
with her. Then he saw that he was
ruined. He was to sail that afternoon
for Constantinople. The only way to
get the treaty was to break into his
safe. But 1t was new and perfect
one, put In since he had entered the
diplomatic service. Only in London
could men be found Of sufficient skill
to do the work and London was 200
miles away. He put his hand to his
head, staggered up to his room and
locked himself i'll.
Twenty-four hours later the minister
of foreign affairs in Paris received the
card of Nine. Chapellier. He direct
ed that she be at once admitted.
"Well?" he said.
81 left the diplomat at his home far
from London with the treaty locked in
his safe. There is the key"
"And how much time do you think
we will gaini"