Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-08

my scheme 1alls before 1t is begun For
its success, it was absolutely necessary
that she should treat me before people
with at any rate a little more than
civility. She treats me instead with
great deal less. That, my friend AL
gernon Knox, is where you come in"
Knox slipped his cocktail thoughtfully
DO" he murmured.
adele, for some reason or other, re-
CARDS you with favor. Perhaps she is
suspicious of me. Who can tell2 She
regards you with favor, and, like all
women, she loves to play with fire. That
is to say, up to a mild point she loves
to make Melinoff jealous. She will con-
tinue, therefore, if you are attentive,
If you play the part l design for you,
to show you favor Very good That
is all that is necessary. You play my
part, and my scheme goes on"
Unless" Knox remarked, there is a
little more in your scheme than mere
attempt to create jealousy between a
shrewd, far-seeing man like Melinoff
and clever, calculating young woman
like Adele de Hagen | am very much
afraid you will find it Inadequate"
There is more in it," De Brinault
said quietly. The question is, are you
with me in this?"
II am" Knox replied steadfastly.
The roll of the gong reverberated
through the house. De Brinaut's valet
knocked at the inner door.
after dinner tonight" De Brinaut
whispered, stroll out of the room with
me. Every one leaves the table togeth-
err and there is music in the hall, where
coffee and liqueurs are served. At din
ner time you are TO take in Miss de
Hagen. Remember your role. She is
clever"
Il will remember" Knox promised.
Knox, few minutes afterward, by
his hostess instructions, carried Adele
de Hagen away from Melinoff's side.
For once in my life" he murmured,
IT am glad that am not an ambassa-
dor."
"You would have found your host
ess," she laughed. "a most entertaining
woman"
Knox lowered his voice little. He
was certainly acting his part very we'll.
Now that he was seated by Miss de
Hagons side. he found his tongue read
lily enough. From the passing of the
hors d'oeuvers to the coming OF the ices,
he made love respectfully but ardently
in the light parlance of the day, and his
companion accepted his homage with a
laughing tolerance, accompanied now
and then by flash of the eyes or a
softer word. From the other side OF
the table. Melnoff occasionally glow
cred at them. Adele de Hagen affected
to disregard his i'll humor
81 wonder Why Knox remarked
once that stout old gentleman oppo-
site seems trying to transfix me-"
III he only heard" she continued mis-
chievously, half of what you have been
saying to me!
I'll raise my voice, if YOU like
She flashed warning glance at him
IF you want to be friends with me,
she advised, please be careful"
MAY | come and talk with you in the
hall, please Knox begged
She shook her head reluctantly
There was, nevertheless. a provocative
CLEAN in her eyes. "Perhaps-a little
later" she murmured, as she rose to hel
feet. Don't come out with me now.
know that Prince Melinof wants tc
speak to me-
Some folding doors were thrown
open, and the company of guests strollec
out into the great hall, where table
were set for coffee and a small com
pany OF musicians played softly in Z
balcony.
De Brinault came up, and a moment
or two later he and Knox strollcd to-
ward The billiard room. On the way
Knox stopped short. Just behind the
musicians a woman was leaning over
gazing intently down upon the little
company.
What is it," De Rrinault demanded
Knox motioned with his head, but
the woman, as though conscious OF his
observation, had fitted away. adele
de Hagon--up there" Knox exclaimed
81 saw her distinctly behind the violin,
list. And only a second ago she wa;
talking to old Melinoffl What the mis-
chief is she doing up there"
Il can't see any one at all except tht
musicians" De Brinault declared.
u tell you that she vanished almos
as was looking at her, and-gooc
heavens-she's down there with Melin
off again ! Is the place enchanted, or il
: there a secret stairway"
De Brinault shrugged his shoulders
, The lady has bewitched you, dea
, friend. Come with me now. At din
ner time, let me tell you, you were mag
nticent. / watched the old bear brstlt
, all over. Our hostess-did you know
, that she was my Cousins on our side
Everything is arranged. Now listen.
At ~ o'clock precisely Knox turned
the handle of sitting-room door upon
the second floor and closing the door
behind him quickly, stood for a moment
upon the threshold, listening intently
The room was lit only by the flames OF
, the wood fire and by a single heavily
shaded reading lamp.
adele. is that your" he whispered
softly
) A slim feminine figure rose slowly
from the sofa. The sequins glttered
from her gold and white dress as she
rose to her feet, She pushed back her
fringe little with one hand.
but this is so rash OF you'll" she fall
; tered. Il did not mean it, Indeed.
never meant you to come. You must
!. have known that"
He crossed the room swiftly TO where
J she was standing, fell on one knee and
seized her hands, But Adele" he pro-
tested, Il can't help it. All this evening
you have been torturing me-torturine
me-torturing me because YOU smiled
and whispered with that Russian pig p
. The door leading into the bedroom,