The Washington times., 1913-01-03
CHAPTER XIX.-(Continued)

padgered counsei and persoiai
insults blew thick as leaves
about the heads e the con-
tending parties One circumstance
stayed clear, In the mInds OF the Jur!
that Beatrice -Messonier had competed
her cures in all innocence OF TsarKa
motives. She was attended Throughout
the trial by the Duchess of Marister
and Prince Hohenhof. The .hliuliAe
simplicity that marked her eVldence; 10
gether with the story of her pltter
struggles in the past. won her the III
stant sympathy of the court.
DR.. Isarka received two years I'M
prisonfnent. Inoyuti escaped with
severe lecture from the Judge on tne
folly of borrowing money from crlmlnai
adventures. At the insiigation OF the
court Paul lsaacson was compelled to
disgorge the cache of radtum wMch ne
had bargained TO purchase from Hofu-
bu 1t was eventually returned 10 fIo,
fessor Eugene Moritz. its rlghttui
owner.
CLIFFORD emerged from the lose-packed
court as one treading the paths Of fail
ure and defeat. 1t was In MS MIND 10
begin life again In the United Ststes as
a clerk or ranchman;, ne & SUI Tu,icTc hsG ID d
ham bank. His mother would go win
him ard help him to live down the bit
ter experiences Of the past. N.
He turned to cross the road and dls-
soyere6 yeFed fG0tmand 10 ma directon
Il beg your pardon: slr. Renwick;
the fellow painted. Her grace would
be glad to see YOU for few minutes.
CLIFFORD was inclined to laugh at SO un-
usual a request until he recalled the dis
tinguished lady with the kindly. eyes
and gray hair who had followed MS evil
dence with such keen interest. Brac-
ing himself instinctively,, he accom-,
panied the footman to blue-paneied
iandau ulet that stood some distance from
the courthouse.
He was conscious of a woman eyes
scanning him closely from the interior
Of the elegant equipase, and OF d jew
eled fan swinging to and fro among the
cushions.
The Duchess of Marister leaned for
ward at his approach.
IT am very pleased TO meet you, Mr..
Renwick." she declared in her pleasant
voice. Your conduct throughout this
miserable investigation has been
Clifford flushed under his sun-tan anc
responded In terms which merely
heightened her admiration for his mod
esty and restraint.
..Do YOU think" she went on enthusi-
asticaliy, that the men who rush 10
the cannon's mouth are the only heroes!
The truest heroism is that which forces
men to sit still in the presence of real
danger What would have happened 10
me or Prince Hohenhoff II you had ar
rested Nine. Messonier In your eager
ness to acquire little professional
notoriety?'
clifford was silent.
The duchess tapped her fingers with
her jeweled fan. snail ] teIl you VIVA
would have happened II Tsarka and
madame had been arrested between the
9TH and 9Th of June?
''It is possible that your grace would
have lost your sight. At that period
June 7, | was not certain now Tar Dr.
Teroni Tsarka's influence eXtended over
Institute. thought II better TO wait
he said quietly.
fessional honor and reputation she
vouchsafed. Il know the answer
should earn II were 10 oHer you none
tary compensation.
Clifford fiinched and bent his head.
well, | shall not presume, she
laughed but there is no earthly rca-
son why a Marister should not feel
grateful, Mr. Renwick. And / trust
that we may know each other better III
II was a stereotyped little compliment
but Clifford detected genuine warmth
behind her words. AS he turned to tak'
his leave he caught the shadow of d
profile in the far corner of the las!lau
let, The hot blood vaulted Instantly tC
his checks.
Miss CranstOneH he almost cried
out.
The Duchess of Msrister laughed
esrtily.
| Another of your silent admirers. Mr.
Renwick. Won't you shake hands,"
The beautiful face of the young com
edy actress peeped shyly over th'
duchess shoulder: her gloved hand
sought his instinctively.
II was with difficulty that Violet had
restrained herself with Clifford standing
so near She had not forgotten his al.
ing moments when the Scotland YarC
men were clamoring at the doors of the
operating theater.
ii, too, have to thank you. Mr. Rer
wick" she declared, for my very eX.
lstence when that horrid Tsarka threat.
ened to ruin us with his fees
Mine has gone TO build new wins
I'm the Messonier Institute!' the duches,
admitted. Beatrice would not have il
otherwise. The check was very prompt
Iy returned TO me by a Mr.. Hackett.''
II was evident to Clifford that Mis-.
Cranstcne's personality had attracted
the Duchess of Marister lie learned
afterward that their acquaintance haC
begun within Beatrice Messonier's con
ness hung over them both. The duches:
refused 20 take leave until he had prom
ised to visit her at CoTtillion, her coun
try seat in Hrts.
I'VE are going TO recuperatc." she de
clared. 1--WE are going to motor ans
eat with the county families. Anr
afterwRrd"-she glanced swiftly at Mis-,
Cranstone.
ITO work. the young actress respond
cd. II have an offer to begin at tn,
Comedy Theater next month at In,
modest salary of GOO week.