The Washington herald., 1914-06-28

its success, It was absolutely necessary
that she should treat me before people
with at any rate little more than
civility. She treats me instead with a
great deal less. That, my friend Al
gernon Knox, is where you come in"
Knox slipped his cocktail thoughtfully.
"Do% he murmured.
Adele, for some reason or other, re-
CARDS you with favor. Perhaps she is
suspicious of me. Who can tell? She
regards you with favor, and, like all
women, she loves to play with fire. That
is to say, up to a mild point she loves
to make Melinoff jealous. She will con-
tinue, therefore, if you are attentive,
if you play the part l design for you,
to. show you favor. Very good! That
IS all that is necessary. You play my
part, and my scheme goes on
Unless" Knox remarked, there is a
little more in your scheme than a mere
attempt TO create jealousy between a
shrewd, far-seeing man like Melinoff
and clever, calculating young woman
like Adele de Hagon | am very much
afraid you will find it inadequate"
There is more in il" De Brinault
said quietly The question is, are you
with me in this,"
81 am" Knox replied steadfastly.
The roll of the gong reverberated
through the house. De Brinault's valet
| knocked at the inner door.
After dinner tonight" De Brinault
whispered, stroll out of the room with
me. Every one leaves the table togeth-
er. and there is music in the hall, where
coffee and iqueurs are served. At din
ner time you are to take in Miss de
Hagon. Remember your role. She is
clever"
Il will remember" Knox promised.
Knox, a few minutes afterward, by
his hostess instructions, carried Adele
de Hagon away from Melinoff's side.
For once in my life" he murmured,
Il am glad that am not an ambassa-
dor"
you would have found your host
ess," she laughed, "a most entertaining
woman"
was certainly acting his part very we'll
Now that he was seated by Miss de
Hagon's side, he found his tongue read
lily enough. From the passing of the
hors d'oeuvers to the coming of the ices,
he made love respectfully but ardently
in the light parlance OF the day. and his
companion accepted his homage with a
laughing tolerance, accompanied now
and then by a fash of the eyes or a
softer word. From the other side of
the table. Melinoff occasionally glow
cred at them. Adele de Hagon affected
to disregard his i'll humor.
Il wonder why" Knox remarked
once, that stout old gentleman oppo-
site seems trying to tranS6x me"
IF he only heard" she continued mis-
chievously, half OF what you have been
saying to me"
I'll raise my voice. if you like"
She flashed a warning glance at him.
"1f you want to be friends with me"
she advised, please be careful
May / come and talk with you in the
hall. please" Knox begged
She shook her head reluctantly.
There was, nevertheless, a provocative
gleam in her eyes. "Perhaps-a little
later" she murmured. as she rose TO her
feet. Don't come out with me now. l
know that Prince Melinoff wants to
speak to me-"
Some folding doors were thrown
open, and the company of guests strolled
out into the great hall, where tables
were set for coffee and a small COM
pany of musicians played softly in a
balcony.
De Brinault came up. and moment
or two later he and Knox strolled to-
ward the billiard room. On the way,
musicians woman was leaning over.
gazing intently down upon the little
company.
What is it," De Brinault demanded.
Knox motioned with his head, but
the woman, as though conscious of his
observation, had fitted away. Adele
de Hagon-up thereT Knox exclaimed
Il saw her distinctly behind the violin
ist. And only a second ago she was
talking to old Melinoffl What the mis-
chief is she doing up there"
81 can't see any one at all except the
musicians" De Brinault declared.
Il tell you that she vanished almost
as | was looking at her, and-good
heavens-she's down there with Melin-
off again! Is the place enchanted, or is
there secret Stairway
De Brinault shrugged his shoulders
The lady has bewitched you, dear
friend. Come with me now. At din
ner time, let me tell you, you were mag
nihcent. / watched the old bear bristle
all over. Our hosteSS-did YOU know
that she was my cousin-is on our side.
Everything is arranged. Now listen"
AT II O'Clock precisely Knox turned
the handle of a sitting-room door upon
the second floor, and, closing the door
behind him quickly. stood for a moment
upon the threshold, listening intently.
The room was lit only by the flames OF
the wood fire and by a single heavily
shaded reading lamp.
Adele, is that you?" he whispered
softly.
A slim feminine figure rose slowly
from the sofa. The sequins glittered
from her gold and white dress as she
rose to her feet She pushed back her
fringe little with one hand.
But this is so rash OF you" she fall
tered. Il did not mean it. Indeed,
never meant you to come. You must
have known that"
He crossed the room swiftly to where
she was standing, fell on one knee and
seized her hands. But. Adele" he pro-
tested, Il can't help it. All this evening