Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-02-19

interests OF state were asserting them
Eelves
You would be fool TO do so. Here
is my box intrust IL 10 sour care"
a temptation came TO him not to be
outdoue in a matter of confidence. but
he resisted II. Taking the box. In
which there were only few gems for
Informal occasions. he went away and
placed II In his safe.
The next evening at dinner the young
widow was enhancing. SOC seemed
to be In light. happy mood. She
told the story of how the host had re-
fused To permit her 10 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 IL was he WINGED. Their
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 reparatlong'
All banteringly agreed that he did.
well. this Is the last night OF our
visit here. Let him intrust me with
the kry OF his safe TIL tomorro. y morn.
ing
All declared that such an act would
not necessarily be showing any con-
| llng tha xtffI IN
sisted that II 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
n pretty woman smiling at him. daring
him--a woman with whom he was
fascinated and whom he thought II
advantageous 10 marry. Nevertheless
he did not consent. Then suddenly
there came Il fash from the woman's
eyes. naughty look rs II 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 n burst of laughter she seized
II and placed 1t In her corsage.
The diplomat had 10 sooner yielded
TO an impulse than he regretted his
act. 4 man under woman's spell Is
liable to rush from one extreme to an
other. one moment he trusts her Inn
plicitly; the next he fears that he has
fallen into the tolls Of devil Al 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 il 1t passed into the pos
session of another would ruin him. II
lie turned away from her for mo
ment II was that she should not see
the expression on his face when he
cursed himself for a 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" viii
you sleep with revolver under your
pillow tonight" These were some OF
the gatherings she gave him. much To
the amusement of the guests. Al mid
night. when the party broke up. she
had made no move. She rose with
the others aud west up 70 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 tumuItuous
musing II contained his possible ruin.
and the key was In the possession OF
woman he had known but n few
days.
Pooh. pooh What an ass. She
only did II to bedevll me. Nonsense.
have revolver under my pillow.
and II any one should come in here
tonight More nonsense. Who's 10
Gomez" Thus he tried 10 dismiss the
matter from his MUD. But. oh. II he
only had the key
He went To- bed and tried 10 sleep
Slumber would not come tancying
he heard movement IN his room. he
arose aud struck light. lie was
ashamed OF himself for doing SO. but
left IL burning This made him feel a
tribe more comfortable. aud toward
morning he went to sleep
lie was awakened by his valet bring
ing hot water. After glance at the
safe. which showed no evidence Of
having been tampered with he arose
dressed ans went down 10 breakfast.
A maid approached him and said:
~ took the hot water to Mrs. Wood.
room O. She didn't answer when |
knocked, and went In. She isn't
there"
Sir Bradford blanched. Like light
ming the thought dashed 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 10
get the treaty was 10 break into his
safe. But II 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