Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-29
CHAPTER XIV.
At the Gates of Change.

Once more Stanief was alone in his
study on the morning when Al!ard made
his first rebellion. The windows We're
open and a warm sweet breeze difted
the curtains into the room like snowy
mists from the past winter. rustling on
among the papers upon the writing table,
as Stan'ef laid down his work TO listen
to the visitor. 1t was SO rare to see Al
lard excited. and he was so vib ant with
Indignation as he stood before the other.
Like that" he was declaring. hotiy,
speaking English in his preoccupation.
land Dalmorov sneered. listening. My
cousin is having his fine old country
SO I am informed L know nothing.
SIRE 1 said. He is very far-sighted.' he
answered. cooily. Monseigneur, L viii
not go back: I came here to tell you
that. I am weary OF watching 1t; VIII
stay with you. / can come here as L al
ways hoped to do. giving to you. not
asking. Let me finish, please. Ire en-
peror has been generous to me. however
little so to you. and l am modesty ricn
in nv own right. Why. the pension ac-
cor,lpanying the star and order he gave
me after that attempt to kill him, that
alone is more than my soltay lie re-
quires. Ny tastes are simple-that auto
mobile about which you laugh at me is
not as you think. 1t is my pride to nave
regained my independence, monseigneur;
to be able to come to you free and offer
to do your secretary's work, Nasin $.
what you choose but to do IL as q
ia, lent myself to aid your purpose to
make il mine. And now you have car
ried IL through: next week the emperor
will be crowned. Now / claim the right
to return to you; the work is done"
"You cannot refuse me that he cried.
You have taken my life and made IT
center around you. now you cannot bid
me tear that core out and go on.
AS on their first night togetl Ter, Stan
ief stretched his hand across the table
for his companions clasp.
mo" he answered, lovingly. I'VE can
not go on without each other. II you
will stay with a sinking slip. come; 1
am selfish enough to let you. But the
charge i gave you is not finished. nor
my purpose yet fulfilled. You must go
back until next week is owe"
1.-The emperor Allard began in
credulously.
1.-The emperor weeds you more than
ever before. There are too many people
who cling to the peace of the last years,
who dread change and would force me
upon the tn one at any cost he en-
pire-not Adrian's court-the vast middle
class, the merchants. the quiet. said
aristocracy, the very peasants, want all
to continue as 1t is. If l were sun TO
govern with the emperor they would rest
content. but they see II VIII not be SO.
thcy icoi <'o. 'on' eiicy ~" 80
Dalmorov and the party he represents
And they are not careful in their methods
of obtaining what they want. John, IL
you knew the yelled insinuations. the
bold offers. the tempters who pursue me
night and day; II you knew how they
watch for the hours when Adrian has
been most hard how they skillfully
touch my pride. my patriotism. my re-
sentiment and knowledge Of injustice, II
you lived my life for twenty-fou" hours.
then you might speak of WEAKNESS But
the worst
Aghast, Allard stared at him. deep after
deep of the inner court opening before
his dizzy gaze.
1.-THE worst?" he repeated, mechanic
ally.
The hand on the table clenched: all the
inherited lawlessness and ambition OF
royal line blazed up In Staniefs darkly
brilliant eyes.
(To be continued tomorrow