The Washington herald., 1911-09-02
CHAPTER XXVI-Continued.


Vital. self-onfident. a trfle foreign.
certainly distinguished. at first there
might have seemed a trace Of defiance
in the carriage. even in the glance OF
Josephine St. Auban. But second look
into the wide dark eyes would have found
there rather a trace of pathOS, bordering
upon melancholy; and the lines of the
mouth, strongly curved. would in all like
lihOod have gained that sympathy de-
manded by the eyes. betokening a nature
warm and noble. not petty or mean, and
certainly not insignificant.
Such was the woman of the hour in
Washington. lately frOwned on by the la
dies as too beautiful, talked about by the
gentlemen as too cold, discussed by some,
adOred by others, understood by none,
dreaded by some high in power. plotted
against by others yet more high in place.
She cast hurried glaCe now at the
clock which, tall and solemn. stood near
by in the hall. 1t was upon the stroke
OF midnight only. Turning half question
ingly to her maid, she heard a football.
The manager of the hotel himself came
to greet her, carrying a card in his hand,
and with a bow asking her attention.
We'll. then" began the young woman,
in perfect English. gIacing at the card.
Her dark eyes rose 10 meet his. 1t is
impossible she said. You know my
wishes very we'll"
But. my dear countess. have you noted
this name" began the manager.
''Of course. | know IL. All the more
reason there should be a mistake"
But | assure you, my dear Countess
4 step sounded near by, and the cur
tains swung back. disclosing the entrance
to one OF the adjoining parlors of the
hotel. The figure OF a well-built and hale
gentleman. past middle age. Of dignified
vealed. Half hesitating. he advanced.
My dear lady he began. in deep
and meludious voice Il come to you
doubly handicapped. both as intruder and
cavesdrOpPer I could not avoid hearing
what YOU have said. and as listeners hear
no good of themselves. l venture to in
terrUpt. l am anxious that your first inn
preston OF ME should be Il good one,
madam"
She dropped him a cur,sy which was
grace itself, her dark eyes looking
straight into his face Surprise brought
slightly heightened color to her
check Seeing her perturbation, the
Unbidden guest haStened TO make what
amends were possible.
You were saving il was a mistake.
dear lady. But If So. the intrusion was
on my part l have wished TO meet
you quietly II such may be your pleas
ure. am alone. Opportunity has
lacked for earlier announcement, for
have but reached town this evening"
She looked from one 10 the other still
questioningly. The manager of the
hotel, feeling discretion to be the best
card to play. hurriedly bowed, and has
tened away
The Countess st. Auban hesitated for
instant, but guessed some errand
here worth knowing. Having herself
entered the inner room. with grace
she signifed that the elderly gentle
man should first be placed; then. seat
ing herself upon a divan somewhat
shadow. she waited for him to go for
ward with the business which had
brought him hither.
Madam" he went on my dear
countess. I could but Overhear you re-
fer to my own name. II ii has any
reputation in your eyes. let that plead
as my excuse for intruding in this man
ner. Believe me. nothing would in
duce me to take such a step except
business Of Importance"
1t is. then. of business?" Her voice.
as he noted once more. was clear and
full, her enunciatiOn without provincial
slur. clean and high bred.
I hope something not wholly outside
Your liking"
''Of course do not understand" She
sat still looking at him full. her hands.
clasping her little fan. a tFifle raised
Then let me hasten to make all plain.
am aware of a part of your history
and of a part of your plans. Madam:
am not unaware of certain ambitions
Of your Own-I am forced to be so frank
in these conditions. You are interested
in the cause of Hungary"
Place it wider, sir said she. In
humanity"
Hence you have come to America to
carry forward certain of your plans.
Even now you have undertaken the
greatest and most daring work of altru-
ism this country ever knew"
She made no answer but to smile at
him. a wide and half lazy smile. dis
closing her white and even teeth. The
she nodded slightly. Emboldened. he
went on:
And you find all things at n dead
lock in Washington to-day Humanity
is placed away in linen on the shelf in
America. to-day. Dust must not filter
through the protection OF this mighty
compromise which our two great parties
have accomplished. We must not talk
of principles, must NOT stir sedition. at
this time. Whig and Democrat must
tiptOe. both of them, nor wake this
sleeping dog of slavery. Only a few.
madam, only few. have the hardi-
hood to assert their beliefs. Only a few
venture to cast defiance even to the
dictum Of Webster himself. He says TO
us that conscience should not be above
the law. I say to you, madam, that con-
science should be the only law