The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-04

AS he turned sullenly away her out
ragged pride burst into screaming life
An ornamental dagger caught up from
nearby table flashed In the air. and
only In time did Iemoine. who. enter
ing. had paused in the doorway. spring
forward and catch her arm. Filled
with disgust of the woman and him
seif. Robert hurried away. In an in
slant the countess became calm. but Il
was calm more menacing than her
rage.
Nevertheless he shall die. but first
fhall he be disgraced." she said "You.
Lemoine. attend my orders"
LATER the same evening Robert found
his way TO the club, He observed but
avoided Lord Cecil, who sat alone with
blank face, lost in painful meditation
A few moments later Lemoine entered
jauntily.
"Will monsieur be so kind as to re.
deem this little |. o. w." he said and
the low tone carried all over the room
There was an uncomfortable move
ment and glances OF displeasure. In
stinctively Robert put out his hand
but. stammering and miserable. with.
drew it without touching the proffered
slip.
Lemoine raised expressive eyebrows.
surely monsieur does not intend to
refuse his paper-a debt of honor? He
does not desire that it be what you
4 o,,It
Though the man spoke with careful
courtesy, his eyes cleaned with mali.
cious triumph. Lord Cecil rose Ian.
guidly and joined the group. With an
air OF bored Indifference he asked the
amount of the note and. with stiff lips.
Robert whispered. -Four thousand
pounds.
Among the uncomfortable onlookers
there was a start of surprise. but Lord
Cecil merely nodded. and. scribblinc
check, handed 1t to Robert and stroll,
ed away. Robert. with white face.
passed the check to Lemoine and re.
ceived the l. o. L. That he was bit
terly chagrined I.emoine concealed with
admirable skill. Airily expressing re,
gret that it should have been neces.
sary to trouble one for so trifling a
matter, he took his departure.
The next afternoon Lord Cecil re-
cefved from Brownelowe & Co, limited
bankers. statement to the effect that
his draft for $4,000 had been duly
cashed. that. as per instructions. a
mortgage for that amount had been
added to the incumbrance on Croft
laigh manor and that the total value
OF all remaining securities in the
banks hands was some $1,000. If Lord
Cecil was concerned it was not appar-
ent from his bored expression as he
read the letter Securing his hat and
cane, he started to walk TO Roberts
apartment.
On the same day the Count Lurovich
returned to London and within an hour
had found upon his wife's dressing ta-
BILE the following note. composed by
the countess and carefully forged by
the many talented Lemoine:
My Darling-I will call you that. for you
shall be mine, and l cannot think of you
as ''the Countess Lurovich" Despite
your cold rcbuffs, | adore you and will
yet compel your love. Thine only
ROBERT STANLEY.
The count was man of prompt ac-
tion. Within an hour be had requested
the assistance of Baron Won Mayer.
and that gentleman had presented him
self at Lieutenant Stanley's rooms.
Lord Cecil had arrived a short time
before and. not finding Robert. had de
ctded to await his return. Roberts
man had gone upon an errand, and it
was Cecil himself who opened the door
to Baron Won Mayors knock.
And now 1t was that Cecil's call upon
the Countess Lurovich assumed an i'm
portant position. The baron addressed
himself to Lord Cecil as to Lieutenant
Stanley and delivered the message with
which he had been charged. When he
had concluded Cecil bowed.
81 am sure that. as you suggest.
little trip TO France would prove most
agreeable" he said. and the baron de-
parted highly pleased.
Oue setS So ouI Vi prhctfCe, KNOW.
/ wonder" Cecil remarked aloud and
rummaged until he had unearthed
heavy service revolver. At the oppo-
site end of the room he placed two
small whisky glasses. With every ap-
pearance of carelessness he fired twice
in rapid succession, and the shattered
glass tinkled upon the floor
Late the following afternoon a strag-
Cling group formed in park like wood
on the coast of France. With gravity
space was measured upon the
ground. Lord Cecil smiled gravely at
the blue sky. then lowered his eyes to
meet those of the Count Lurovich and
in them read deadly hatred. A voice
counted slowly and was silent Lord
Cecil raised his hand and fired into the
sky at which he had smiled. A second
report rang out. and Cecil. quietly
shifting his pistol to his left hand.
pressed a handkerchief to a spot of
crimson that spread swiftly over his
breast. Then he sank slowly to the
hrm green sod.
A month later Lord Cecil. still weak.
but otherwise recovered from his