Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-18
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR SEPTEMBER Is. 1910
Cynthia's Chauffeur
Continued
Continued from page 9

purpose I can hardly conceive" he said,
frowning with vexation at the tragicomedy
into which he had been drawn. French
men, it is true, regard these things from a
different viewpoint. That which seems ra
tional to you is little else than buffoonery to
me. If that is your object in seeking an in
terview, it has now been accomplished.
absolutely decline to entertain the PROPOSE
ton for moment. You have certainly sue
ceeded in lending an air of drivel to con-
troversy that l regard as serious. l came
here filled with very bitter thoughts toward
you; but your burlesque has disarmed me.
1t is only fair, however, that | should warn
you not to cross my path again, since ones
sense of humor may become strained, and
that will be bad for you.
His attitude seemed to betoken an imme
date departure; but Marigny looked at him
so fxedly that he waited to hear what the
other had to say. He was determined now
to keep Cynthia out of the discussion. Even
Vanrenen's letter need not be mentioned
until he had seen the millionaire in person
and disabused his mind of the 1nept lnven-
lions with which the Frenchman had per-
picked him.
Il don't take your refusal as final" said
Count Edouard, speaking very slowly and
choosing each sentence with evident care.
Il was at pains to explain my position, and
there now devolves upon me the disagree
able duty of telling you what will happen If
you do not fight. You English may not care
to defend your honor in the manner that ap-
peals to a more sensitive nation like the
French; but you are vulnerable in your
women folk. l now tell you frankly that
if you do not abandon your pretensions
to Miss Cynthia Vanrenen, | shall make it
nv special business in life to ruin her So
cially."
ATEDENHAM listened more in amaze
A'A ment than indignation. At first, the
true significance of the threat left him un-
moved. In his ears it was mere repetition
of the bogy raised by Vanrenen, and that
was the widest nonsense. Il really do not
think you are responsible for your words,
he began.
Marigny swept aside the protest with an
emphatic gesture. ooh, yes am" he said,
his voice low, sibilant, menacing. Il have
laid my plans, and shall pursue them with
complete detachment Others may suffer-
so shall l. l have practically reached the
limit of my resources. In a month or less
shall be penniless. What money | could
scrape together devoted to the furtherance
of this marriage project, and | am well
aware that when you meet Mr.. Vanrenen
my poor little cObweb c intrigue Will be
blown into thin air. You are quite desir
able barti, Viscount Medenham con-
dition points to your speedy and happy
union to the lady of your choice. 1t is, how
ever a most unfortunate and lamentable
fact that she also happens to be the lady of
my choice, and l shall revenge myself on
YOU through her, in the way best calculated
to pierce your thick British hide. The
future Countess of Fairholme should be
superior to Caesars wife in being not only
above suspicion, but altogether removed
from its faint. l am afraid that it will be my
task to tarnish her escutcheon."
"You miserable rascal" cried Medenham,
stung beyond endurance by this extraordi
nary declaration of vile purpose. "Why
should you imagine that [ shall allow you
to sit there and pour forth your venom
unscathed? Stand up, you beast. Or must
l kick you up?"
"Ha! You are ready to fight me now, my
worthy Viscount! But not in your coster
monger fashion. You cannot, because |
have your promise. You see | have taken
your measure with some accuracy and hard
words will not move me. l mean you to
understand the issue clearly. Either you
meet me under conditions that will insure a
4 IL T