The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-03-27


lutely from all organized soclalistic as
sociations during the war; that she
believed she could do the greatest
good by living natural and cheerful
life, by maintaining the position that
birth and fortune had given her, and
by using that portion and fortune for
the benefit OF those less fortunate.
This she had told Buckhurst, and
the rascal appeared to agree with her
so thoroughly that, when Doctor Del
mont and Professor Tavernier ar
rived, they also applauded the choice
she made OF Buckhurst as distributor
Of money. food and clothing to the
provincial hospitals, now crowded to
sufTocation with the wreck Of battle.
Then strange thing occurred. Doc
tor belmont and Professor Tavernier
disappeared without any explanation.
They had started for st. Nazaire with
sum of money-twenty thousand
francs, locked in the private strong
box of the countess-to be distributed
among the soldiers of Chanzy; and
they had never returned.
In the light of what she had learned
from me, she feared that Buckhurst
had won them over.
But" l said, patiently, you have
not yet told me where he is."
81 don't know" she said. "A week
ago a dreadful creature came here to
see Buckhurst; they went across the
moor toward the semaphore and stood
for long while looking at the cruiser
which is anchored off Groix. Then
Buckhurst came back and prepared for
journey. He said he was going to
Tours to confer with the Red Cross. |
don't know where he went. He took
all the money for the general Red
Cross fund"
when did he say he would return?'
"He said in two weeks.
THAT is good news" I said, gayly.
But tell me one thing: Do you trust
Mademoiselle ElYen"
"Yes, indeed-indeed! she cried
Mortified.
VERY we'll" said l, smiling. only
for the sake of caution-extra, and
even perhaps useless caution-say
nothing of this matter to her, nor to
any living soul save me-"
81 promise" she said, family.
Now that Mornac is not even a
pawn in the game-so, indeed, begin
to believe he never really was, but has
been from the first a dupe of Buck
hurst-it is the duty Of every honest
man to watch Buckhurst and warn
the authorities that he possibly has de-
signs on the crown jewels Of France,
which that cruiser yonder is all ready
to bear away to Saigon.
"How he proposes to attempt such
robbery l can't imagine. / don't
want to denounce him to General
Chanzy or Aurelles de Palladine, be
cause the conspiracy is too widely
spread and too dangerous to be de
feated by the capture of one man, even
though he be the head of it.
"What l want is to entrap the entire
band; and that can only be done by
watching Buckhurst, not arresting
him. Meanwhile, as long as we stay in
Paradise we both are your devoted
servants, and we beg the privilege Of
serving you"
"You ask the privilege Of serving
me-" she said you could serve me
best by giving me your friendship"
was silent.
"Have you never given women your
friendship" she asked.
Not in fifteen years-nor asked
theirs"
She sprang up and caught both my
hands in her ungloved hands. Wont
you take my friendship-and give me
yours-my friend?"
"Yes," l said, slowly. AS in a
dream bent forward; she abandoned
her hands to me; and touched wom-
ans hands with my lips for the first
time in fifteen years.
I'm all devotion and loyalty-and
gratitude" / said.
"And in friendship-say i'll"
"In friendship"
''Now you may go-if you desire to-.
When will you come again?"
when may II"
when you will"