The Washington herald., 1911-09-02

y
slowly. Are you for humanity?"
Madam. as l hope reward, I ami
Those of us who dare say so much ara
Few in numbers to-day. We are so few,
my dear lady, that We belong together.
All OF us who have infuence-and that
l trust may be said Of both of us, who
now meet for the first time-we are so
few that I. a stranger to you, though
not, trust, wholly unrecommended,
dare come to you tonight"
For what purpose. then. sir?"
With the immediate purpose OF
learning at first hand the truth of the
revolutionary system in Europe. I have
not been abrOat of late, indeed not for
some years. But I know that our dipIo-
macy is all a-tangIe. The reports are at
variance, and we get them Colored by
partisan politics. This slavery agita-
tiOn is simply political game. at which
both parties and all sides are merely
playing. Party desirIbility. party safety
that is the cry in the South as much
as in the North Yet all the time
know, as you know. Of the hundreds
Of thousands of men who are leaving
Europe to come to this country. A wave
Of moral change is bound TO sweep
across the North. Madam. we dwell on
the eve of revolution here in America
as well as in Europe. Now do YOU see
why I have come to you tonight? Have
we not much in common"
Il am glad" she said simply; II am
proud. Me you Overrate. but my
wishes and my hopes you do not over
rate Only and she hesitated, why
tonight; why in this particular way?"
Il arrive at that. My own plans take
me soon TO Europe. l am determined 10
investigate upon tire very ground itself
this question Of 1 national repression Of
the human conscience"
a n TrrCr a Trifla
naughty. He soened to read her
thoughts.
Let me hope that you also have
planned an early return. We have much
which we might discuss OF common in
terest. There is much Of interest in that
country beyond. which we might see. 1
do not venture any suggestion for you,
but only say that if it were within your
own desires to travel in the company of
4 man whose former station at least
ought to render your reputation safe. yOI
and your servants will be welcome in
my company My party will have the
other gentlemen and ladies, not of mean
station, l hope
She looked at him. hesitating. studying.
II was hardly a fair contest. this Of
youth and scant experience against
suavity and shrewdness strengthened by
years Of public life.
I am somewhat helpless. sir she
said. at length. To converse with one
so able as yOurself-what woman with
nv ambitions would not be pleased with
that? But l am woman, and alone IN
the world. I am already denounced as
careless There already has been talk.
Moreover, as you see, l am committed
now fully to this great work of freeing
and sending from America the negro
slaves Take them from this country.
Replace them with 100000 men born
closer 10 freedom and citizenship
Yes. But you are here somewhat mys-
teriously; you come privately and secret
Iy What harm. then. if you return as
privately and secretly as you have come
to Washington? Let your agents carry
on your work here. The mission on
which I shall be engaged will have to do
with Louis Kossuth.'
'Ah,'
Yes, and you know that noble patriot.
am told. Consider Of what aid you
might be to me. You speak his tongue.
you know his history. you could supply
me al once with information Come
It's no idle errand And, perhaps-you
will forgive me. s:nce we both know
h,w cruel is sucn gossip as this that
has wronged yOu-the tongue of gossip
wags the least when the eye Of gossip
has seen least. This is a most natural
and proper-indeed, most convincing OPP
portunity."
That is precisely what I pondered'
sir She nodded gravely.
And let me add this" he continued:
every day you are here in Washington
the tongue of rumor wags the more.
Listen TO me, Leave this place. Let
gossip quiet down. II has been cruel
with you; yet the public soon fOrgets.
To remain and appear in public would
freShen gossip anew. Come, IL is an ad-
venture: 1 swear il does not lack us
appeal TO NE, All, would only that
were younger and that it were less
seemIy and sedate, Dear lady, 1 oner
you my apology for coming as l nave,
but large plans work rapidly at times,
and there IS little time to wait Now
there is out one word can say; that you
have courage and decision. l know.
He had risen, and unCOnsCiOusly the
young woman also had risen-balanCing,
measuring watching, wardng. in this
contest, all too unequal Suddenly, with
a swift and most charming smile she ap-
preached him i half step and held out
her hand.
You are n great man, sir. Your coun-
trv has found you great. I have always
found the greatest men the simplest and
most frank Therefore I know you will
tell me-you will satisfy any doubt may
feel II 1 should ask a question you
would not condemn me as presuming?'
Certainly not. Upon the contrary,
nv dear countess, should feel fiatter-
ed"
ITO RE CONTINUED TOMORROW