The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1911-04-26

CALL Botn OF nor n.n~. S.~~>.
one of his desperately. Nov, 60
please. The Latin compact is at an
end; you merely invite death here
Now, go!"
less face with entreaty in them; the
slender fingers were fiercely gripping
one of Mr.. Grimms nerveless hands
For an instant some strange, soften
ing light fickered in the young mans
eyes, then 1t passed.
Il have no choice, Miss Thorne," h'
said gravely at last. II am honor
bound by my government to do on'
OF two things. II fail In the first o.
those-the greater-it can only be
because"
He stopped; hope famed up in hel
eyes and she leaned forward eagerly
studying the impressive face.
Because" she repeated.
ut can only be because am kill
ed" he added quietly. Suddenly his
whole manner changed. II should like
to see the-the INVENTOR"
But don't you see-don't you see
you will be killed if-?" she began
tensely.
May I see the inventor, pleasef''
Mr.. Grimm Interrupted.
For little time she stood, Write
and rigid, staring at him. Then her
lids fluttered down YEARLY, as II to
veil some crushing agony within her,
and she stepped aside. Mr.. Grimm
entered and the door closed noiseless-
ly behind him. After a moment her
hand rested lightly on his arm, and
he was led into a room to his left.
This door, too, she closed, immediate
ly turning to face him.
I'VE may talk here a few minutes
without interruption" she said in a
low tone. Her voice was quite calm
now. IF you will be-"
please understand, Miss Thorne,"
he interposed mercilessly, that
must see the inventor, whoever he is.
What assurance have / that this is
not some ruse to permit him to es-
cape?"
"You have my word Of honor" she
said quite simply.
please go on" He sat down.
You will see him too soon, ! fear"
she continued slowly. IF you had not
come to him he would have gone to
you" She swayed a little and pressed
one hand to her eyes IL would to
God it were in my power to prevent
that meeting!" she exclaimed desper-
ately. Then, with an effort: There
are some things l want to explain to
you. 1t may be that you will be will
ing to go then Of your own free will.
If lay bare to you every step l have
taken since l have been in Washing
ton; If make clear to you every OBJ
scure point in this hideous intrigue;
If ! confess to you that the Latin com
pact has been given up for all time,
won't that be enough? Won't you go
then?"
Mr.. Grimm's teeth closed with a
snap.
Il won't want that-from you," he
declared
But if l should tell it all to your"
she pleaded
II won't listen, Miss Thorne. You
once paid me the compliment OF say.
ing that | was one man you knew in
whom you had never been disappoint
ed" The listless eyes were blazing
into her own now. 81 have never
been disappointed in you. ! will not
permit you to disappoint me now. The
secrets Of your government are mine
II can get them-but ! won't allow
you to tell them TO me-"
my government Miss Thorne re.
peated, and her lips curled sadly. Il
i have no government. have been
cast off by that government, stripped
of my rank, and branded as trail
tori"
Traitor" Mr.. Grimm's lips formed
the word silently.
Il failed, don't you seer" she rushed
on. "Ignominy is the reward of fail
ure. Prince d'Abruzzi went on to
New York that night, cabled full
account Of the destruction of the com.
pact to my government, and sailed
home on the following day. | was the
responsible one. and now 1t all comes
back on me-" For moment she was
silent. It's so singular Mr.. Grimm
The fight from the first was between
us-we two; and you won"