The Washington herald., 1911-07-27
CHAPTER I.
A Lady in Company.

Madam, you are charmingi You
have not slept, and yet you smile. No
man could ask a better prisoner"
She turned to him. smiling family.
| II thank you. At least we have had
breakfast, and for such mercy I am
grateful to my jailer. I admit I was
famished. What now?"
| With just the turn of a shoulder she
indicated the water front, where, at the
end of the dock on which they stood, lay
the good ship Mount Vernon. river pack
ct. the black smoke already pouring from
her stacks. In turn he smiled and also
shrugged a shoulder.
| Let us not ask Ny dear lady, ]
could journey on forever with one SC
young and pleasant as yourself. I will
give you my promise in exchange for
your PAROLE
| Now her gesture was more positive,
her glance flashed more keenly at him.
| DO not be too rash." she answered.
MY parole runs only while we travel
| together privately. AS soon as we reach
coach or boat, matters will change. I
reserve the right Of any prisoner to Sc
| cure life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. I shall endeavor, believe me
| and in my own way"
He frowned as she presently went on
| to make herself yet more clear. 1T was
well enough when we travelled in our own
private express, from Washington here
to Pittsburg, for then there was no
chance for escape. I gave my parole, be-
cause 1t pleased you and did not
jeopardize myself. Here my jailer may
perhaps have some trouble with me-"
You speak with the courage and fer
vor of the true leader of a cause, mad
am" he rejoined, now smiling. What
evil days are these on which have fall
en-I, a mere soldier obeying orders! Not
that I have found the orders unpleasant;
but II is not fair of you to bring against
mankind double weapons! Such is not
the usage Of civilized warfare. Danger
Gus enough you are as woman alone,
without bringing to your aid those gifts
of mind suited to problems which men
have been accustomed to arrogate to
themselves" ..
"Arrogate Is quite the right word. It
Is especially fit for jailer."
This time the shaft went home. The
fiorid countenance of young Capt. Car
isle flushed yet ruddier beneath its tan.
His lips set still more tightly under the
scant reddish mustache. With gesture
OF impatience he lifted his military
hat and passed hand over the au-
burn hair which famed above his white
forehead His slim figure stiffened even
as his face became more stern cad IN
the full regimentals Of his rank, he made
a not unmanly figure as he stood there.
though hardly taller than this splendid
woman whom he sddresesd-s woman
somewhat reserved, mocking. enigmatic;
but, as he had said. charming. That
last word of description had been easy
for any man who had seen her. with her
long-lashed dark eyes, her clear check
Just touched with color, her heavy dark
hair impossible to conceal, even under
Its engulfing bonnet, her wholly exquisite
and adequate figure, equally unbanished
even by the trying costume Of the day.
She stood erect. easy, young strong,
At to live; and that nature had given her
confidence in herself was evidenced now
in the carriage of head and body as she
walked to and fro, pausing to turn now
and then, impatient, uneasy, like some
Gagged creature, os 1.-THE, as beautiful, as
dangerous, and as puzzling In the matter
of future conduct. Even as he removed
his cap, Carlisle turned to her, a mans
admiration in his eyes, a gentleman's
trouble also there.
My dear Countess st. Auban," raid
he, more formally, "I wish that you
might never use that word with me
again-jaileri / am only doing my duty
as soldier. The army has offered TO
1t all sorts OF unpleasant tasks. They
selected me as agent for your disappear
ance because I am an army officer. had
no option: must obey. In my profess
sion there Is not enough fighting. and
too mucn civilian work. police work.
constable work, detective work. There
are fools often for officers. and over
them politicians who are worse fools, |
sometimes. Well, then. why blame a |
simple fellow like me for doing what Is
given him to DO? I have not liked the |
duty, no matter how much have en-
joyed the experience. Now. with puzzles |
ended and difficulties beginning, you
to make my unhappy lot stu
narderp'
"Why did you bring me herel''
THAT I do not know. could not /
answer you even did know.
"And why did I GOMEZ" she unused. /
half to herself
I ~Nor can ] say that Needs must
when the devil drives; and his majesty
surely was on the boz and USING hIs
whiphsnd, two days ago, back in wash
|nkton. Your own sense Of fairnes9 will |
ad1uie A. much A that