The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-07-25
(COntinued.)


"Of my protection! You, now?''
81, now. Through you, if you lend
your name to their use, my enemies
can make the task | have set my.
self difficult beyond description.
The kindling fire had caught, at
last with the first boyish impuls
iveness of the interview Adrian s
response flashed to meet the ap.
peal.
You need not fear that, You
need not fear me-
Thank you, sire" Stanief an
swered, simply and gravely.
There was pause. Allard won
dered, as he discreetly observed the
two, just what would have been the
result if Stanief had brought less
convincing seriousness to answer
his cousins sensitive pride and in
tredulity.
Il have come alone" Adrian
unused, with half sigh, with Gre
gor. He does what l wish because
he knows DalmorOv hates him and
he is afraid to stand alone. Sc
when l bade him bring me here Sc
cretly tonight, after l had presum
ably retired, he obeyed. like to be
obeyed." The expression of several
moments before returned tran
silently
A playfully earnest warning of
the other cousins required to the
listener; it appeared that both had
the habit of domination"
And SO l must return at once
or they may discover l have gone
But | am glad l came, cousin; ii
seems easier now"
Sire Stanief said, and some
how his tone made Allard feel sud
denly aDashed, as one who stands
before a thing not for his eyes,
there will come a day when you
will stand in the great cathedral to
receive the oaths of allegiance OF
your mobiles. There will be all cerr
mony, all solemnity, but-take mine
now. The one l shall give you then
can mean no more. You have been
taught to have no faith in such
promises; when you receive mine
for the second time, l hope it will
have gained some value in youl
sight" u
Il wish it had now; almost think
it has" he answered, with a bitteE
ness and energy singularly strange
from his boyish lips. Il want tC
have faith in you, cousin"
He rose, and Stanief with him.
II care for nothing" he added
reverting TO the previous invitation
Il have already stayed too long
Monsieur his eyes went to Allard
for the first time, monsieur is the
American gentleman who sailed
with you from New York;"
Allard came forward in response
to a glance from Stanief.
Sire, l have the honor to present
Monsieur John Allard. whom l have
persuaded to come with me because
| also have need of one friend whom
| can trust
He was after all so pathetic in
his lonely and sophisticated youth
this child. Saluting him, Allard' s
clear gray eyes involuntarily ex.
pressed all their sympathy and
warm kindness. And, meeting the
regard, Adrian gave him his only
smile of the evening.
TT is easy to trust you others
Monsieur Allard," he said visit
fully. Il wish you were my friend
instead of Feeders"
as it noh the same thing, sire?'
Allard questioned.
as it,"
81 sincerely believe so, sire"
Bring Monsieur Allard with you
tomorrow, cousin" Adrian di
rected, lifting his gaze to Stanief
And good night" d.
You will allow me to accom-
pany your return, sire?"
Certainly MOTTO attract all the
capital"
Pardon, I meant as secretly as
GregOr attends you; who-agair
pardon me-is scarcely attendance
enough"
Adrian shook his head decisively
"Your people on the yacht"
They are not already aware thai
your imperial majesty is here?"
you can order them to be 81