The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-05-05

LID oll6llG.
The revelation needed no added de
tails. La Sirene! A baleful cloud
struck my imagination at the mention
of that name-ill omened, notorious
tinged with memories of disgrace, EN-
bezzlement, suicide. A vampire for
gold, she had fascinated victim after
victim, thirsting only for money, lead
ing her prey to the brink of an abyss
honor, respect and fortune gone!
And the rajah has met this WON.
an?" | asked.
He is completely under the domi.
nation of her destinations. She is play
ing new role with him. She poses
as a cruelty deserted wife. He has
asked her to marry him. AS his pros
pective fiancee she is propriety itself,
awaiting she claims, divorce from
her husband"
and Singh ALP"
is lavishing his wealth upon her.
He has leased magnificent country
place near the city. There he has
Benghi, his favorite pet. In a little
park, caparisoned with a howdah and
fittings we'll worthy the palace-like in
closure in which the animal exercises.
The week Is one series of fetes. All Of
them La Sirene attends-with a chape.
rome! There is musical there to-
night. l have cards. Will you at.
tend?"
| shall never forget that evening.
There were few ladies present and the
general throng by no means represent
ed the better class Of people All was
decorous, however, and many deco
rated civic authorities and some Illus
trious musical artists were In evidence.
La Sirene was the queen of the as.
semblage. The mute alteration Of the
rajah for this beautiful vampire was
almost touching. She was truly won.
derful singer and after the delivery OF
some operate gems, the rajah publicly
presented her with necklace worth a
kings ransom.
l caught up an incident related OF
the capricious beauty. 1t seemed that
Benghi had sulkily refused to take a
comfit she proffered, as if Jealous Of
the attentions of his master. The
enraged siren had struck Benghi with
the Keepers hook, binding one eye.
A few days later we learned that La
Sirene had about plucked the infatu.
ated victim of her wiles. There were
rumors that his liquid wealth was
about gone. Then he had to give up
his princely nest and some of his
jewels We're seized for debt.
His father has called him home "
explained my friend, and has refused
TO furnish any more means. What he
had La Sirene has deyoured. Singh
All is practically bankrupt"
Through it all the Young raiah
wavered not in his faith in the woman
who had charmed him. 1t was as If a
magic spell made him forget his home
nancee, his fealty to father and coun-
try.
La Sirene had riddled the last shred
OF TWO millions" reported my friend TO
me. Worse than that, she has beg.
CARED the rajah. She expressed a wish
TO own Benghi. The rajah sent her
the splendid animal, and what do Won
Think"
shrugged my shoulders, expecting
any treachery or meanness from the
siren cormorant.
She intends to sell it to a menaser,a
man. who offers a large price for the
animal. The nabob has been taken In
she has practically deserted him"
II was two days later when my friend
again came to me with the words.
"Retribution-the end!"
You mean?" l insinuated.
La Sirene Is dead!"
Dead" | repeated vaguely and
fairly shocked.
Yes. 1t seems that Benghi never
forgot her cruelty. She was barter.
ing Tor the sale of the animal, when
II seized her suddenly in its trunk
hurled her to the ground, pinioned her
with its ponderous foot and crushed
the life out of her"
The next heard of Singh All be
was lying in hospital delirious with
FEVER, and his nurse was his old love
his father had come to Paris with her
70 rescue his son from the wretched.
ness his ingenious trust in fair but
faise woman had brought him.
u saws the three whom tho "a.