The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-01
Copyright. 1914. by the
LUBIN MANUFACTURING COMPANY

to Won. Better run up and bring back
the smiles to the fair faces of Lady F.
and the Duchess of B."
at isn't like Weston to gossip. v
know" Cecil commented aloud and
took restless turn about the old H.
brary. "The boy must be getting In no
end Of mess. by Jove.'' he added de-
cisively. mile Dazia is usin' him.
and I'd give something to know for
what. Just what use to her could he
be?'
! A half hours pondering brought no
solution. and, with gesture of impa.
tience. Lord Cecil pulled the bell cord.
you may pack-for town. James,"
Lord Cecil informed him. "we will
catch the morning mail at Ferncliff."
The possibilities suggested by Lord
Weston's communication were in truth
disturbing. Mile. DaZia was a person
Of International reputation. concerning
whom much was known, but much
more unknown. OF only ordinary beau
ty. with an inconsequential voice and
Indifferent ability as a dancer. she new
ertheiess had In the brief years since
she emerged from unguessed obscurity
to blaze rocket like course across the
skies of Europe, set half dozen capi.
| tails by the ears and was Just now the
particular sensation of London. 1t was
entirely out of character for Mile. Da-
zia to single out from the numbers of
rank and wealth who clamored for
recognition youthful soldier with an
allowance not equaling In a year what
any one of score of her slaves would
spend on souvenirs for a dinner
graced by her presence.
Besides Lord Cecil. his younger
brother. Rodney, less than year out
! of Sandhurst and now on duty while
awaiting assignment to line regiment
/ as aid-de-camp at the war office. was
I the only surviving member of his an
| Client line. An orphan since childhood,
Rodney had been in Cecil's eyes more
son than n younger brother. and
there had been lavished upon him an
affection quite equal to that ever given
by father.
| With the superb egotism OF youth
Rodney accepted his favortism at the
! actress court and ever demanded
| more. 1t was his first affair. and un-
der the spell Of her perfect arts he had
already become fairly mad.
"Corinna. you will drive me insane"
he cried wildly on one OCCASION. He
covered his white face with shaking
hands
1T is enough" she thought. 'The
young fool will be killing himself on
my rug in few minutes. and that
would be inconvenient"
almost l believe that you do love
me-" she whispered to him. "and vet
words are easy to say, and have seen
upon the stage as convincing agonies.
IL would you could prove 1t to me-"
she added softly.
II will prove it. What proof do you
demand?" the boy asked. with the
light Of hope returning to his face.
81 will make 1t not hard for you.
Oh. a little thing she said. Listen.
Among the jewels which my good
friends have given ME there is no black
pOaii' aiiu wv oO utSlTt DluCh UehTl.
This. then. is a task for you, such as
ladies of old set for their knights.
Bring me tomorrow the black pearl
called Night Rose. which old Won Ha-
gen is known to have. and you shall
know happiness"
II will get the pearl" the boy mutt
tered and stumbled from the room
Corinna yawned, crossed the apart
ment and threw aside heavy curtain.
II think my part is done. Baron
Stronverg." she said.
"And very we'll done. my child"
Stronverg said admiringly. "He will
go directly to Won Hagen's shop, you
think?"
"Undoubtedly."
''Then had best follow" the baron
said.
Although It was well past midnight
when Rodney rushed impulsively from
the actress luxurious apartment. he
proceeded directly to the quaint little
shop Of the jewel collector. Won Ha-
gen.
A light burned in the jewelers. shop,
and the old man did not appear to re-
gard 1t as strange that a customer
should choose such an hour for a call.
He merely looked up inquiringly from
the tray of unset stones which he was
| examining.
"You have black pearl called Night
/ RoseT' Rodney demanded.
The jeweler nodded.
81 have that pearl. and it is for sale.
It's price is f20.O0O." he said indiffer-
emily.
For a moment the boy was stricken
dumb So she had made Jest of him
AS well might she have told him to
bring the very crown. To purchase
this pearl would strain the resources Of
the diminished family estate let alone
his scanty allowance
| With subcousciOus caution Rodney
glanced through the window at the de-
serted street. The man was old, a
swift leap
| As though reading his thoughts be-
fore they were even shaped into con-
crete form Won Hagen slightly shifted
his position. and Rodney saw that In
hts hand was heavy automatic re-
volver.
II bid you good evening, str," the