The Washington herald., 1914-05-31

even IuGy WcTc tulkis WcA0 c~eAAS~ -
shapely Yet he knew that she was no
ordinary woman. She was either very
cruel Or. She caught him looking At
her, and smiled. He decided that she
was not cruel at all. and rose to his feet
You would like to telephone?" she
asked. pointing to the instrument
He shook his head May I ask your
name?" he suggested.
She hesitated. Tell me yours nrst,
she suggested. :.
'"Knox-Algernon Knox. By the bye"
he added suddenly. do you tnink tnat
I look like fool?"
She was a little startled. Then she
laughed at him. When she laughed she
was charming why do you ask me so
foolish a question:
ITS like this" he explained. sitting up.
MY uncle's got some clever sons. and
he's awfully proud of them-bar. army.
and Parliament. you know-all doing we'll
I've Just tried to get into Parliament
and failed. They said couldn't speak
and that lacked intelligence. When I
tried for the diplomatic service IT was
about the same They told me my ap-
pearance was against me- Seems to me
there's nothing you can do in this world
unless you've got what they call a
thoughtful face and piercing eyes"
She laughed heartily.
IF only you had brains" she remarked.
"you could certainly make your fortune
as diplomatist. Those beautiful eyes Of
yours and that gently inquiring express
sion
Then you do think look fool?" he
interrupted.
ITO be candid" she declared, you do
not look as though you were overburden-
ed with brains. You look as though you
could ride and shoot and make love to
theatrical young ladies like q great many
other young English gentlemen. But"
You needn't go o." he interrupted
again. this time a little huflly. by the
bye, I've told you my name. What about
yours?"
She had drawn a little back. She
raised her hands suddenly above her
head. her lips parted. Her poise seemed
suddenly familiar. She glanced at him ex-
pectantly.
"vera Custeneiffr he exclaimed.
THE Princess Vera Custenein." she
corrected.
He made her . little bow Madame" :"
he said. Il have worshiped you from a
distance for q long time. offer you
my homage. Every operagoer in London
is your slave"
She smiled. For a foolish young man."
she murmured. ''you express yourself
rather well HushT
Her fingers had suddenly gripped his
arm There was the sound of q motor
horn in the avenue. Something very
much like fear blanched her face.
TT is my uncle. Baron Ernston!' she
exclaimed He Is bringing q friend
down with him."
You wish me to gor' he suggested.
do you mind?" she begged. MY uncle
is very sensitive about my being on the
Ia
He would dislike very much, to be seen
here"
Tell me exactly what you would like
me to do and will do It, he promised. 1
There was q loud ringing at the 'front.'
door bell. Her fingers frightened upon his
arm. Her agitation was unmistakable.
wait here. please" she begged. "wait
here until you hear US all In the next
room. Then leave the house by the front
door. You will find your car in the stable
yard. And farewellv'
TT is permitted. then. never to returnr'
he asked, a little ruefuliy.
She shook her head. II do not receive
visitors, sirp'
She flashed a farewell glance at him
from the door. Then she passed out into
the hall. The young man steadied him
self for a moment against a piece of fur
niture. He was still feeling little shaken
and giddy. He heard q deep voice well
coming Vera Custeneiff. a few words In
language which was strange to him,
and then some reference, apparently to a
Mr.. Smith, who seemed also to be pres
ent.
one Of the greatest surprises he
had ever had in his life. Mr.. Smith
spoke. and his voice was the voice Of the
Earl Of Tamworth, cabinet minister,
who among many other social and relig-
ious distinctions. enjoyed also the privi-
lege of being the uncle and guardian of
the Honorable Algernon Knox!
- He was for a moment stupehed And
then, only few feet away. the tele-
phone bell began to ring. Almost uncon-
he took of the receiver He
had scarcely raised 1t to his ear, how
ever. before the door was hastily push
ed open and Vera Custeneiff entered
She reached his side with what seemed
to be a single movement. She snatched
the receiver from his hand.
What do you meanr' she demanded,
her eyes flashing. How dare you!"
Knox felt the back of his head. He
was still a little dizzy.
I'm awfully sorry" he said, 'if I've |
lone wrong. The beastly thing was ring |
ng. and I was just going to answer It |
Is though I were q servant-say I'd |
fetch you and that sort Of thing"
She looked at him ixedly, and her face |
relaxed. She smiled-he seemed so like a |
frightened boy. Close the door" she |
directed. II was an IDIOT
He obeyed promptly. 1t was quite i'm
,ossible to avoid overhearing her con-
yersation. After the first sentence she |
spoke in French, but although his ac-
were few indeed, French |
,ad aluavs been one of the necessities
If his existence.
"Ah, yes! At Dover, then
les, understand. You are at Dover. go
70. you must not come! It Is impossible.
. Tonight? Dear friend, how could
?" She was silent for a moment.
But, dear" she said. "this is not Paris
whom could ask? Whom, indeed. could |
trust to perform such a service? There
s no one
She broke of in the middle of her SEN
ence. Her eyes were fixed upon the |
-oung man, who was endeavoring to ap-
,ear unconscious. She looked at him
ixedly, her lips parted, her eyes bright.
compared with the men whom she had
n her mind. he represented the typical
lincompoop. Perhaps. after all, heaven
lad been kind to her!
'-Supposirg can," she went on. Sup
'osing 1t were possible-how could you |
each Paris? . Yes? - Ah."
She NODDED several times. Once more
me looked at Knox as though fascinated
" something in his expression.
Very well.'' she said at last. II viii
10 my best - Yes. I understand.
lot the Lord Warden; the George the
Third. High street . Very well
Z it can be done, 1t shall be-"
She replaced the receiver. Then she
urned to Knox 'sDn 20 IN nd Il