The evening world., 1914-02-03

tie SAID ne was going to Tours to con-
fer with the Red Cross. ! don't know
where he went. He took all the money
for the general Red Cross fund"
when did he say ne would return ?"
He said In two weeks. He has an
other week yet"
rs ne usually prompt"
Always SOTO the minute"
Now that Mornac is not even n
pawn In the game-as, indeed, l begin
to believe he never really was, but has
been from the first dupe of Buck
hurst Il 40 tho duly vi every honest
man to watch Buckhurst and warn the
authorities that he possibly has designs
on the crown jewels OF France, which
that cruiser yondcr is all ready to bear
away to Saigon.
"How he proposes to attempt such a
robbery can't imagine. I don't want
to denounce him to Gen. Chanzy or
Aurelles de Palladine, because the con-
spiracy IL too widel, spread and too
dangerous to be defeated by the cap
ture OF one man, even though he be the
head Of It. .,.
What want Is TO entrap the en-
tire band: and that can only be done
by watching Buckhurst, not arrest.
ing him.
Therefore. madame. I have writ
ten and despatched u telegram to
Gen. Aurelles de Palladine. Offering
my services and the services OF Mr..
Speed to the Republic without COM
pensation. In the event of accept
ance, 1 shall send to London for
two men who will do what Is to be
done, leaving me FREQ to amuse the
public with my lions. Meanwhile. a.
long as we stay in Paradise we both
are your devoted servants. and We
beg the privilege of serving YOU"
And l now rose to take my leave.
sat still. looking up quietly at me.
You ask tho privilege OF serving
me-" she said. you could serye me
best by giving me your friendship"
You have my devotion. madame"
I said.
II did not ask It. asked your
friendship-in all frankness and
squality." ...-
"Do you desire the friendship Of
O circus performer" l asked. smil-
ing: ..
arc but for what you have been
have always been. lot them say what
they will"
! was silent.
Have you never given women Your
friendship" she asked.
mot In fifteen years--nor asked
theirs" .' =. ..t' r.
"Will you not ask miner" t...
tried to speak steadily. but my
voice was uncertain: 4 sat down.
crushed under flood memories.
hopes accursed. ambitions damned
and consigned to oblivion.
you are very kind" said. You
are the Countess de Vassart. A man In
what he makes himself. / have made
myself-with both eyes open; and
am now an acrobat and tamor OF
beasts. l understand your goodness,
your impulse. to help those less fortu-
nate than yourself l also understand
that have placed myself where ! am,
and that, having done no deliberately.
I cannot meet as friends and equals
those who might have been my equals
II not friends Besides that ] am q
native of paradOX-a republic which.
though caste-bound. knows no caste
abroad. might, therefore. have been
your friend II you had chosen to waive
the traditions OF your continent and
accept the traditions of mine But now.
madame. ] must beg permission TO
make my adieux."
She sprang up and caught both my
hands In her ungloved hands. won't
you take my friendship-and give me
yours-my friend?"
EYES," l said slowly. The blood beat
Ing my temples. almost binding me.
my heart hammered In my throat I'll!
] shivered.
As In a dream bent forward; she
abandoned her hands TO me-and
touched woman's hands with my lips
for the first time In fifteen years.
"In all devotion and loyalty-and
gratitude" I said.
"And in friendship-say III"
I'm friendship"
Nov you may go-if you desire TO.
When wiz you come again?"
when may II"
when you will"