The Detroit times., 1914-01-26
CHAPTER ~
The Choice.


and plague-stricken in farou lhuin
had aroused the elegant English Wor d
TO a sense OF their solemn Response.
bility as citizens OF the empire anu
beside the usual Mansion House fHhu
IL had been decided 20 organize an
immense entertainment, the proceeH7
OF which should be devoted 10 tne
sufferers. Altruism had become riIe
The MANAGEMENT OF the Belvedere
had presented their building free or
all charge for the evening, various
music-hall turns had offered tAelT ser
vices. and society had pledged rs sup
port. Consequently the event PROMISED
to be a brilliant one, and no douDl. hdu
they known OF the sacrlhces helnS
brought in their behalf the distant re-
cipients would have felt their Tot more
tolerable.
Cabinet ministers so-cailed indian
authorities, VI. P.'s. with their wives,
a sprinkling OF the nobility ana
mighty gathering OF thai Respondent
and proud clan whose resplendency
Is based on bottled pickles and meat
extracts and other such usetu com
modities and whose pride Is legiti-
matized by connections among the
latter-day peeFage-vsuch we're the
chief ingredients OF The crowd that
swarmed about the Belvederes hand
somely decorated couloirs. The WON
en- were gorgeously probably
no other feminine assembly in the
world could have boosted OF having
spent 80 much money on It's attire
and their partners had groomed them
selves with such blind obedience 70
the prevailing masculine fashion that
their appearance was disconcerungly
uniform.
In the whole theater there was
probably only one man who had dared
TO defy the latest sartorial edict. tie
blocked up the narrow gangway which
led 10 the lower boxes, and the cut
OF his evening clothes. together with
his whole massively uncompromising
appearance, caused one or two I'M
maculate representatives of the jeu-
nesse doree TO regard him with not
wholly unjustifed suspicion. In
dress, in bearing. and above all In ex-
preston, he discorded with his sur
roundings. Among the delicateiy built
men whose thin cleanshaven faces
betrayed a weary amusement ne stood
out like an ungainly Titan. his arms
folded. his bearded chin lifted in
an attitude OF unconscious aggres-
sion.
More than one woman glanced at
him.. but less with suspicion than with
q certain unreasoned interest. For wo-
men instinctively recognize strength,
and in that atmosphere OF efrete
pleasure-seeking the outsider exhaled
an energy that was actually uncom-
Portable. None of the attendants, how
ever, much inclined to do so, cared
TO question his right TO be present,
and II was left TO an elderly. dis
MISUNDERSTANDING man TO touch him
on the shoulder.
Excuse me-will you let me pass?
Fhis Ia my box"
The stranger started round.
Yours? Hal was told that Sir
David Hurst"
sir David is sharing the box with
my party" was the suaye explana-
ton. Might l ask If you are one or
his guests?"
Guests? Good heavens--no!" The
strangers manner expressed i'm
patience. Il only arrived from India
. couple Of hours ago. But ] am his
friend and hat a wish to see him"
The owner OF the box considered
the intruder with an awakened inter
est The obvious retort that this was
neither the time nor the place for the
proposed meeting did not occur to
him In the face of the mans earnest
ness, and after a moment he began
In q more cordial tone:
In that case | shall be delighted
II you would take my place meaps
while. Sir David should be here in -SN
minute. My name is Langley. and /
am In some measure Sir Dayid's
friend
"LAngley--his party leader" The
stranger glanced keenly into the
astute face beside him. 'Ifa. yes, he
wrote to me about you. lie even ad-
vtsed me TO address myself TO you
My name is Heilig, Professor Heilig.
late Of the Leipziger University
The Hindu expert? am delight
ed TO meet you" Langley held out
. his hand. MY young supporter has
often spoken OF you as the inspirer OF
his able pamphlets on the Indian
question. ! congratulate you on your
4 scholar. He win make his way-in
his own way
Both men laughed but a flush OF
satisfaction had darkened the Ger
5 mans forehead.
Eyes, I discovered him" ne admit
ted proudly. II knew what vas in
him Does he do we'll indeed2'
He gives every promise OF going
far" was the cordial answer. He
Z 70 already what is commonly called
an Indian Light | have reason 20
believe he will bring about great
reformation i'm our methods OF
handling the educated Hindu
masses"
And his wife?' Heilig interrupted
almost roughly.
The politician passed his hand over
his chin. The question appeared u
(. trouble him.
"There We are on more difficult
D ground. my dear sir. You know Lad
Hurst"
II was present at her marriage"
E "And II | Judge correctly, you ar,
desirous OF ascertaining how she ha,
& Influenced her husbands career -
was the shrewd interrogation.
kS You Judge correctly" Heillg ad
mitted, though with slight contrac
ton OF the brows.
III you wish me TO be frank ! mus
confess that Lady Hurst's influence
has been unfavorable. Du reste, thu
fact Is an open secret. You know
& perh1ps. how much we unhappy poll
r ffcfans owe to the social standing .
our feminine supporters. and Lad,
Hurst Is, frankly, impossible in hel
present position"
Why" Heilig blszed out, so sud