Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-25

SODD
is before your foot had touched American sol?'
"Yes-yes!'
7 Ill, come here!" 1t was Vctor's voice.
- l turned faint and i'll with vexation; but what
could do? He advanced toward with little boat
model in his hand "Lili see this junk Isn't peach?
Let's have made for wedding trip, instead OF
the Brunlnda, shall we?"
Victor was in great spirits, much plain. The
champagne he had drunk the thought of his approach
hatteries all these influences had combined to exat
him and make him very ready to claim as his prop
erty before this roomful of people. Oh, the unhapp
the degradation of that moment as realized that
to his words to his glance had choice but to sub
mit and smile subssively La Belle Scheherasade they
called me, did they? Never Scheherazade half so
much slave as and by no recounting of thousand
tales, or million either could hope ever to be
free! c.
But what, after all, Henry the point of telling
me? | burned with impotence. l could have killed
poor Victor at that moment, as he went making his
silly jokes about the junk and Chinese honeymoon
and the ragout of mouse we'd eat
But finally Miss Carroll in response to an mplorng
glance from Henry had the happy thought of proposing
that Victor delight the company with song.
ave heard you sing the coster songs most deciousy,
Mr.. Cobb. And I'll play your accompaniment. Is it
bargain?"
aSure!' Victor, always ready to show off his voice,
beamed with gratifed vanity. Then, turning, 3You
come, Lii?
1t was his Sultan look and tone. stood confused,
daring neither follow stay behind. But Miss
Carroll the dear angel showed herself champion not
"No, Mr.. Cobb, you We promised to sing Dear Lizer'
for me-and this time it's be for and for your
fiancee. l don't if you jealous, Mademoiselle.
Besides, sometimes said to look alike; though
perhaps latter myself horribly. Would it be too
much Of strain to make the illusion for five minutes,
dear Mr.. Cobb?'
am coming, Victor' fastened to add But Miss
Carroll had already borne him off, hypnotized.
A ND in the do1eful strains of one of those
n abominable London songs came floating endessly
a w one
melted away. Henry leaned toward me.
listen, Lii! have to tell you such compact
YOU entered into with Mrs. Cobb and by which you
fancy yourself bound, is by the laws Of these United
States entirely null and vod!'
The swan around me. l conscious of
Henry's hand upon my arm, holding me up. "What?"
l gasped. "I'm free? You mean, my promise doesn't
hold me? You mean-what do you mean?'
Il mean he answered slowly and distinctly, so that
you describe is by American law utterly illegal;
as Mrs Cobb, the widow of business and first
rate business herself, they say, ought have
known-indeed, probably did know. Did you never
hear, Lil of the Contract Labor Law"
mo" answered. shaking my head. But 1 chung to
the impressive sounding word Henrys lips, as the
did"
ITO be sure how should you? But here in this coun-
try, Lii, have law forbiddng alien, before his
arrival here from entering into any whatsoever
providing for his employment after he lands. That
law Lii you broke!'
~Ah!' 1 shuddered. In the very thought of the law
in any country, but especially in strange one there
is something awful and imposing; and the idea that
one has broken it Was l, Lii, lawbreaker? In
proposing to keep word and carrying out oblga
ton more replusive than DEATH was it possible that
was offending the laws of this country where
found myself, which already l loved much? Oh,
dear and blessed country where they make such laws
me free The idea glanced through my brain, Mrs.
Stuart right right than Mrs. Cobb about her
son, when she said to me that Henry aextraordna
rlly clever! began to speak 1ncoherently.
"What? Is it true? The law is like that is it? A
entered into before landing in America? Yes,
certainly we hadn't landed yeti But" cold thought
struck me- "you spoke of employment just prom