Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-07-12
The Mischief Maker
Bv E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM

any longer permit him the shelter of your
roof"
She sat down annd began to laugh.
softly, but in an unnatural fashion. Falk-
enberg watched her with grim curiosity.
And them" she inquired.
He hesitated.
Il have made some plans" he said
slowly. IF he passes outside your doors
tonight he will write no more articles"
But the whole of the English press is
clamoring for his return 20 power! There
will be no need for his pen-he will take
up his old position
Precisely" FaIkenberg assented. 1T
Is not my intention that he shall return
TO that position"
Madame Christopher sat with her eyes
fixed upon the wall. Then she began to
laugh once more I'm the same strange
manner. Falkenberg was curious.
You find my intentions amusing?" he
asked.
II find the situation amusing" she re-
piled. Half an hour ago 1 offered Sir
Julien Por' I what is left OF my life"
FaIkenberg stood perfectly still, watch
ing her closely. Then his eyes filled with
a sudden bright light.
you" he exclaimed. "You-Prin-
cess Won Falkenberg-offered yourself
to this man and were refused?"
you are indeed a genius" she ad-
mitted. II was refused"
There was a brief silence. Fallzen-
berg waited. Madame Christopher. re-
NAMED silent Her attitude puzzled him
a little. He was afraid to speak for
fear OF striking the wrong note. New
ertheless, the onus OF speech was
thrust upon him.
Madame" he said at last, II antici-
pate your reply. This man has put an
intolerable insult upon you. While he
lives you could never forget it. There
are some privileges still belonging to
me. I claim the right Of avenging that
affront"
1T comes conveniently-the affront!"
she remarked, through her clenched
teeth.
conveniently or not, the afront ex-
ists!" he cried. you cannot refuse me
nowl You would not have him go un-
Il am not sure that he was TO
blame"
Not to blame?" Falkenberg repeated,
with emphasis. Would you have me
believe that you threw yourself at his
head unasked. without encouragement
you, the proudest woman in France?
One does not believe such folly"
Nevertheless. it is the truth"
Madame Christopher declared.
Falkenberg smiled tremendously, but
he said nothing. Madame Christopher
had found her way once more to the
window. She stood there, looking down
into the car. The boy was still asleep.
She gripped the window curtains with
both her hands. He was so pale, so
tired, and how he had grownl
II give you even his heritage"
Falkenberg promised. Make Of him a
Frenchman or an American, If you will.
He is your own son. Take him. I give
my first born for my country. You will
not refuse what offer?"
Madame Christopher made no an
swer. Falkenberg, however, saw the
longing in her face. 1t was enough.
He suddenly changed his tactics.
This Julien Portel," he said-'it is
another woman he prefers"
He saw her bosom heave. The storm
against which she had been struggling
all the time seemed on the point Of
bursting The hot blood was singing
in her ears, her eyes were afiame. She
Falkenberg was content to wait. He
felt that he had won. The butler ap-
peared almost Immediately.
You will conduct the Prince Won
Falkenberg into the winter garden" she
directed. He desires to speak to Sir
julien Portei" q.
And your" Falkenberg asked. turn
ing toward her.
A swift glance showed him her dis
ordered countenance. 1t was reason
able.
Il follow" she announced.