Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-17

TN afraid l was very rude to Mary in that frs,
confused moment of meetings and greetings
think gave her perfunctory kiss in passing
but it was Anne on whom my eyes were fixed
Anne, who-wonder of wonders was in my
arms the next moment. What did it matter to
us that there were others standing round? She
was alive, and she loved me as l loved her.
read that in her eyes as they met mine,-and
nothing else in the world was of any conse-
quence!
You went back to Russia in search of me
| was quite sure of it in my mind, though
Mary declared you were off on another special
correspondent affair for Lord Southbourne, and
he said the same. He's rather nice man, isn't
he? And Lady Southbourne's dearl But
knew somehow he wasn't speaking the truth.
And you've been in the wars, you poor boy
Why, your hair is as gray as fathers And how
did you get that wound on your forehead!"
I've had some lively times one way and an
other, dear; but never mind about that now,
said. We were sitting together by the fire
Mary had effaced herself like the considerate
little woman she is. Probably she had joined
Jim and Pendennis in the smoking room, which
was also Jim's sanctum.
Tell me about Yourself How did you get to
Petersburg! 1t was your"
Yes. but / can't remember even now how
got there, she answered, frowning at the fire
and biting her under lip. queer thrill ran
through me as l watched her-she was so like
that other
Il got into the train at Calais. and suppose
fell asleep. | was very tired after the dinner
at the Cecil and Mrs. Sutherlands party.
There were two other people in the same car
riage. a man and woman. That's the last
thing l can recoliect clearly until l found my
self again in a railway carriage. I've con-
but it was all like dream. until suddenly saw
you and called out to you. l was in an open
carriage then, driving through strange city
which know now was Petersburg. was taken
to a house where several horrid men-quIte
superior sort of men in way: but they seemed
as if they hated me. and couldn't think why
asked me lot of questions. At first they
spoke in a language | didn't understand at all
but afterward in French, and then found they
wanted to know about that Mr.. Cassavetti.
They called him by another name too
Selinski," l said.
Yes that was it, though l haven't been
able to remember it. They wouldn't believe
me when said I'd met him only quite casually
at dinner the night before l was kidnapped
for really was kidnapped, Maurice-and that
l knew nothing whatever about him. They
kept me in dark cell for hours, till / was half
crazy with anger and terror, and then they
brought me out. and l saw you and father.
And the next thing l knew l was in bed in a
hotel we've often stayed at IN Berlin. Father
tries to persuade me that imagined the whole
Inl1ly, Out ulUI I. NOW u1u MduT1Cc! Anu
what does it all mean?'
1T was all mistake. You were taken for
some one else, some whom you resemble
very closely"
That's just what thought, though father
won't believe it, OF he pretends he won't: but
am sure he knows something that he will not
tell me- But there's another thing that dread
full man Cassavetti. Perhaps oughtn't to call
him that, as he's dead. heard about the MUIR
der only little while ago, and then almost by
accident. Amy Vereker told me. Do you
know herr"
That frivolous little chatterbox! Yes. I've
met her. though had forgotten her name
She told me all about it one day. Mary and
Jim had never said word they seemed to be
in conspiracy of silence. But when heard
was terribly upset. Think of anyone suspecting
YOU of numbering him. Maurice, just because he
lived on the floor above you and you happened
to find him! You poor boy! What dreadful
troubles YOU have been through"
THERE was an interlude here,-we had a
good many such interludes,-but even
when my arm was round her. when my lips
pressed hers, could scarcely realize that was
awake and sane.
1T was just as well they did suspect me,
darling said after awhile, 'or l most GER
tanlv shouldn't have been here now"
She nestled closer to me, with little sob.
oh Maurice. Maurice! l can't believe that
you're safe here again. after all And feel
that was to blame for it all !"
You: Why, how's that, sweetheart"