Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-10-02
CHAPTER xI-contlnued.

Nora, without relaxing the false
smile, suddenly found emptiness In
everything.
Sing" said Herr Rosen.
u am too tired. Some other time"
He did not press her. Instead, he
whispered In his own tongue: "You
are the most adorable woman In the
world"
And Nora turned upon him pair
Of eyes blank with astonishment. 1t
was as though she had been asleep
and he had rudely awakened her.
His infatuation blinded him to the
truth; he saw in the look feminine
desire to throw the others off the
track as to the sentiment expressed
In his whispered words
The hour passed tolerably well.
Herr Rosen then observed the time,
rose and excused himself. He took
the steps leading abruptly down the
terrace 10 the carriage road. He had
come by the other way, the rambling
stone stairs which began at the por-
ter's lodge. back of the villa.
Padre" whispered Courtlandt, 81
Am going. Do not follow. | shall ex.
plain to you when We meet again"
The padre slgnined that he under
stood. Harrigan protested vigorously,
but smiling and shaking his head,
Courtlandt went away.
Nora ran to the window. She could
see Herr Rosen stridlng along. down
the winding road, his head in the air.
Presently, from behind cluster of
mulberries, the figure OF another man
came into view. He was going at a
dog-trot, his hat settled at an angle
that permitted the rain TO beat square
ly into his face. The next turn in the
road shut them both from sight. But
Nora did not stir.
Herr Rosen stopped and turned.
"You called?"
Yes" Courtlandt had caught up
with him Just as Herr Rosen was about
70 open tho gates. Just a moment,
Herr Roser." with a hand upon the
bars. II shall not detain you long"
There was studied insolence in the
tones and the gestures which accom-.
panied them.
BE brief. II you please"
My name is Edward Courtlandt. as
doubtless you have heard"
In a large room It is difficult to
remember all the introductions."
Precisely. That is why take the
liberty OF recalling It to you. so that
you will not forget IT," urbanely.
A pause. Dark patches OF water
were spreading across their shoulders.
Little rivulets ran down Courtlandt's
arm. raised as It was against the bars.
Il do not see how II may concern
me-" replied Herr Rosen finally with
an insolence more marked than Court
landt's.
In Paris we met one night, at the
stage entrance OF the Opera. ! pushed
you aside, not knowing who you were.
You had offered your services: the
door OF Miss Harrigan's limousine"
| 1T was your" scowling.
. Il apologize for that. Tomorrow
morning you will leave Bellaggio for
Varenna. Somewhere between nine
and ten the first train leaves for
Milan"
, "varennRl M!lan!"
b Exactly. You speak English as
naturally and fluently as II you we're
born TO the tongue. Thus. you will
leave for Milan. What becomes OF
you after that is OF no consequence
70 me. Am making myself clear?"
"verdRmpt! DO believe my ears?"
turiously. Are you telling me TO leave
Bellasgio tomorrow morning?"
AS directly as can"
Herr Rosen's face became as red
as his name. lie was a brave young
man, but there was danger OF an act.
i've kind in the blue eyes boring into
his own. II II came TO a physical con.
test, he realized that he would get the
worst OF II. lie put his hand to his
throat: his very impotence was chok.
ing him.
Your Highness :"
"Highnessl" Herr Rosen stepped
back.
Yes. Your Highnoss will readily
see the wisdom OF my concern for
your hasty departure when | add that
! know all about tho little house in
Versailles, that my knowledge is
shared by the chief OF tho Partisan
police and the minister OF war. II
you annoy Miss Harrlgan with your
equivocal attentions ;"
"Gottl This is too muchl"
"Waltl l am stronger than you
are. Do not make me forco you to
hear me TO the end. You have gone
about this intrigue like n blackguard,
and that know Your Highness not TO
bo. The matter is. you are young, you
have always had your way. you have
not learnt restraint Your presence
hero 10 an insult TO Miss Harrigan,
sud II she was pleasant TO you this