The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-19
F or a Friend and One Other


Nichols pulled his hat well down hide the wore
ried look his face
IT'S "A pretty piece OF business" he said to hims
self. I'm convinced the woman's an adventures
but how am to ind and cyr sstns sss5.
civilized country-but Poland. whore haven't =
John Nichols and Cyril Thornton were close
friends. Nichols much the elder. and Cyrils sister
Nichols was lawyer from New York. and in thu
interest Of client was now in Los Angeles Cyril res
quicker convalescence. Everything had been going
on smoothly when their train met with an accident
They had escaped injury and saved the life OF g
beautiful The woman. whom Cyril Thought
the most charming he had ever seen was very crate
full. apparently very frank Her name. she said WAS
Marie Laska she had been widow two years Herr
deep in Polish politics He had sent her away fear
Ing she might come under suspicion. She never
northern winter dangerous and she had taken =
small house near Pasadena She intended to live
turning to Poland. But these two friends they must
come to her whenever they could spare the
time
1t surprising how much time had been spared
by both, for Nichols. unwilling that Cyril should
foreigner. found himself In Pasadena whenever his
business would permit This had been going on for
fortnight
AS further complication. Cyril, just of age. would
shortly be In possession of $4,000
Nichols walked foriorniy home and went to bed.
Next morning he showed Cyril business letter
requesting his in San Francisco wednes.
day. His friend, though decidedly. adverse to any
move consented to with him
that morning. but while dressing to the whistled
accompaniment OF Polish air word came that she
had d headache so would he---and Mr. Nichols too
come in the evening
Nine. Laska tying up a spray of white
they arrived. She gave them each hand
in her pretty foreign
Nichols felt he detected faintest aroma OF
very fine cigar also
The professional instinct aroused Nine Laska
had repeatedly said knew in California but
themselves The cigar seemed to tell a different
story
Nichols threw his in a of the porch.
In the pocket there was important letter II hs
fnryD ha haCa m liar for il.
to- night--on account of leaving the next day
Cyril pressed a guitar into Marie Laska's hands.
seating himself where he could the singers
face. The boy was Of poetic nature and here WAS
Cyril, Nichols said after time. "a. We have Re- !.
1t will be for only few days he heard Marie
f.aska say to Cyril
After bidding Cyril good night Nichols took the
car back To Pasadena Later he walked toward .
Mime. Laskas house. and then. hearing Cyri's name.
A talking English, presumably that
the servants might not understand
Twenty Ave thousand dollars project
through and help Poland To her own again Young
somehow You are beautiful and sun young. and
can make , boy Ike that do ANYTHING
fanatic. AS for Marie II tool she was willing
Even as a lightning flash reveals In an insan,
miles of country and throws into relief the most
prominent features until they seen more clearly
than before. things revealed themselves ia
Nichols at this moment Cyril should not marry
Nieholas could tx all that But If he spoke that
word Just now, while the boy stil dreaming
dreams, would that nature be the againr
sudden rude awakening has been the making OF
many 4 man. but IL was borne in upon Nichols that
it would do fer Cyril
Nichols had deliberately listened He de-
bera'ely went up the steps Of the porch and faced tho
Il have heard everything he said quietly.
Maries companion put his hand 10 his hip pocket.
Don't do that Nichols said with a little depre-
eating II worth YOU Just
alive. Then he went TO the end of the porch and
7 came lack Tor mis- re said at papers
In the pockets which shall want In San Francisco
The man and woman watched him curiously. fIa
Il win give YOU $1,000" he said what in
return ] know you Will do. My lawyer, Mr. Henry
ANA VIM ,ya daysans nv country ~ ahs .hnr,
possible time. l will write this down" taking =
pen and paper from his pocket so there can be
misunderstanding II there should be might feel
bound inform the Polish government that have
knowledge of suspect"
Nichols stepped inside drew up document
in legal form The man and woman both signed. Then
he turned 10 Marie
write" he said what tell you"
She oheycd silently.
He then told them that this note should be mailed
the following night to Cyril at the hotel in Los An
geies.
my OF the contract" he said. that you
WIN keep yours Good-by" He raised his hat to
"A little while" he said musingly the way back
to his hotel and the boy will have learned discrim-
is a part CT him will still be there All. NelltA
Nellie, it something could do for you. too.
On their return to Los Angeles they first
to Cyril's rooms. There was note in Mime. LAskaa
handwriting.
Nichols walked toward the window He was feel.
ing keenly for the boy he went In memory
word he had dictated
When you return It ram II shall have left
California. l have only time write a lines.
for word has come which takes Immediately to
Poland. My country has need Of me. still moro
a of whom have often made @ think and
with whose fate 1t seems best should unite
my For my fathers sake shah travel under
assumed / shall always think OF you and
Mr.. Nichols with greatest Kindness and gratitude.
Farewell MARIE LASKA"
Cyril read the letter twice and them after
moments silence. handed II Nichols.
Nicholas there had been shock that would
be serious
Jack he said Its all over---my dream She was
q star too high for to hope to reach, but / want
to this letter for you rightly UNDER
stood her. She fine and noble and would
risk her life for her country and for love,
had thought at times she cared for me- was
just that reminded her Of that other man.
CyriIs had trusting of ELEANOR.