Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-20
THE GAME
AND THE CANDLE
ELEANOR NJ. INGRAM
1909 the obns-M Merrill ompan
ELEANOR NJ. INGRAM


| court-no one else whose pride and honor
SO compel him to loyalty. And I stand
| imperial cousin
Adrian's head lifted haughtily.
| of my protection! You, nOwe
| Il. now. Through you, IL you lend your
name to their use, my enemies can make
the task 1 have set myself difficult be-
yond description"
|, The kindling fire had caught at last;
with the first boyish impulsiveness OF the
interview Adrian's response flashed to
meet the appeal.
| You need not fear that! You need not
fear me-
Thank you. sire" Stanief answered
simply and gravely.
There was a pause. Allard wondered,
! as he discreetly observed the two. just
what would have been the result II Stan
ief had brought less convincing serious
ness to answer his COUSINS sensitive pride
and incredulity.
| II have come alone" Adrian unused,
with half sigh. with Gregor. He does
what wish because he knows Dalmorov
hates him and he Is afraid to stand alone.
So when I bade him bring me here Sc
cretly tonight. after had presumably
retired. he obeyed. I like to be obeyed."
The expression Of several moments be-
fore returned transiently.
cousins required to the listener; IT APP
peared that both had 1.-The habit Of domi-
| nation
And SO I must return at once or they
may discover / have gone. But l am
| glad L came, cousin; 1t seems easier
! now
| Sire" Stanief said. and somehow his
tone made Allard feel suddenly abashed,
| as one who stands before a thing not for
| his eyes, there will come q day when
you will stand in the great cathedral to
receive the oaths of allegiance Of your
nOhloc Thorn will ho all cAromnnV all
| solemnity, but-take mine now. The one
/ shall give you then can mean no more.
You have ben taught to have no faith In
such promises; when you receive mine for
| the second time, / hope 1t will have gain
ed some value in your sight"
Il wish I had 1t now; almost think 1t
has," he answered, with bitterness and
energy singularly strange from his boy
ish lips. Il want to have faith In YOU
cousin.
He rose and Stanief with him.
Il care for nothing he added, revert
ing to the previous invitation. II have
already stayed too long. Monsieur his
eyes went to Alard 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. 1 have the honor to present Mon
sieur John Alard. whom I have persuad-
ed to come with me because I also have
need or one 1rlenQ whom can tTuSt.
He was after all SO pathetic In his
lonely and sophisticated youth. this child.
Saluting him, Allard's clear gray eyes in
voluntarily expressed all their sympathy
and warm kindness. And. meeting the
regard Adrian gave him his only smile
! of the evening.
1t is easy to trust you others, Mon
,, sieur Alard,' he said, wistfully. II wish
you were my friend instead Of Feeders. :"
rs it not the same thing, sire?' Al
lard questioned.
rs it,"
81 sincerely believe 50. sire
Bring Monsieur Allard with You to-
morrow, COUSIN" Adrian directed. lifting
his gaze to Stanief. And good night"
You will allow me to accompany your
return, sire?"
Certainly MOTTO attract all the CAP
ital!"
pardon, 1 meant as secretly as Gregor
attends you: whO-again pardon me-is
scarcely attendance enough.
Adrian shook his head deciSively.
Your people on the yacht"
They are not already aware that your
imperial majesty is here?
you can order them to be SILENT" he
retorted. with angry irritation.
Exactly. SIRE" said Stanief. and
waited.
Adrian was nothing if not swift of
thought; he drew the inference intended
and conceded the point.
very We'll, ne y1ei0ed. AS you WILL
cousin. Good night, Monsieur Allard.
He held out his hand. and quite uncon-
sciously Allard took the little fingers In
his warm clasp Stanief. holding aside
the curtain, smiled to himself: but Adrf-
an accepted the Americanism equally
and his last glance was all friendly.
1t was 8 o'clock in the morning when
Stanief re-entered the Nadeja's salon.
Allard was still there and rose expect
antly to receive him.
"I waited" he explained.
'You need not have" Stanief replied,
with all his usual cool serenity. go and
rest; tomorrow the battle opens. Only
"Only. monseigneur?
He came over to the table to find the
tiny gold-tipped cigarettes
.Only it was not with you l played
chess tonight, John, but with Dalmorov
and the late emperor. my uncle. And l
claim check.
(To be continued tomorrow