The Washington herald., 1911-07-28
CHAPTER I-(Continued) i.

"Excellently kind of you all, to cart
so tenderly for me-and yourselves, I
only a woman. living openly, with IL
lating no law of the land
Your words are very bitter, madam
THE more bitter because they are true
You will release me, then, at Cairo, be
low?'
II cannot promise. madam. You woult
be back in Washington by the first boats
and trains"
so, the plot runs yet further? Per
haps you do not stop this side the outer
ways Of the Mississippi? Say. st. Louis
New Orleans?"
Perhaps even beyond those points," he
rejoined grimly. Il make no promises,
since you yourself make none"
What are your plans, out there, be-
yond?'
You ask It frankly, and with equal
frankness gay do not know. Indeed.
] am not fully advised In all this matter.
1t was imperative to get you out of
Washington, and IL SO, II is equally i'm
perative TO keep you out OF Washington.
At least for a time am obliged to con-
strue my carte blanche in that way, my
dear lady. And as I say, my conscience
is my strictest officer"
YES" she said, studying his face
calmly with her steady dark eyes
1t was a face sensitive, although bony
and lined; stern, though its owner still
was young. She noticed the reddish hair
and beard, the fiorid skin, the blue eye
set deep-a fighting eye, yet that Of a
visionary.
You are a fanatic" she said.
THAT is true You, yourself, are Of
my own kind You would kill me with
out tremor, IL you had orders, and l.
You would do as much!"
You are, Of my kind, madam. Yes;
We both take orders from our own souls
And that We think alike in many ways I
am already sure"
None the less, I cannot agree to set
you down at Cairo, or at any interme-
diate point will only give my promise
In return for your own parole. That,
would take as quickly as though It were
the word Of an officer; but you do not
give it,
NO; do not. am my own mistress
am going to escape as soon as I
can"
He touched his cap In salute. Very
well, then. I fiattered myself we had
done well together thus far-you have
made 1t easy. But now-no, no; will
not say 1t. I would rather see you defi-
ant than to have you weaken. love
courage, and you havesit. That will carry
you through. 1t will keep you clean and
safe as we'll"
Her face clouded for the first time.
II have not dared to think Of that"
she said. so long as we came in the
special train, with none TO molest or
make me afraid-afraid with that fear
which woman must always have-we
did well enough. as have said; but now.
here in the open, in public, before the
eyes of all, who am ], and who are you
to me? I am not your mother?"
Scarcely, at twenty-three or four" He
pursed judicial lip.
Nor your sister," -
No"
Nor your wife?"
NO" He flushed here. although he
answered simply.
Nor your assistant in any way"
His face lighted suddenly.
"Why not?" said he. Cant you be
my amanuensis-thats sort of thing, you
see? Come, we must think of this.
This Is where my conscience hurts me-
I can't bear to have my duty hurt you
That, my dear countess, cuts me to the
quick. You will believe that, won't
you?" .
Yes, I believe that. jeanne" she
notions1 to her maid, who stood apart
all this time. my wrap, please. / find
the air cool. When the body Is weak
or worn, my dear sir. the mind Is not
At its best; and I shall need all my
wits"
But you do not regard me as your
enemy?'
'I am forced to do so. Personally, I