The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-09-09
SECOND INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER VI.

2: Count Frederick.
Kitty Gray turned suddenly to the
imam seated beside her in the motor,
blending upon him steady gaze.
"Who are you?" asked she. why
Ibid you follow me?
/ The swathed figure suddenly
Strengthened. Whatever I am-what-
lever you may think me, do not believe
;me incapable of gratitude to yourself"
| "What is your name?"
!: "They call me Roleau. made
;moiselle."
I Kitty Gray turned yet more closely
ito him, gazed straight into his eyes.
"Then why not enlist with me?
iSurely we have common cause. We
;have a common enemy. Would it be
!wrong did you and I league against
:him?"
); "You ask me, then"
!: ITO be my friend, my ally"
"Surely I owe him no allegiance
:further!" exclaimed Roleau bitterly.
i"He struck me like dog"
: "Yet you and must see him again
and SOON"
What! Would you trust yourself
:once more in his presence? You are
IAN American girl-you are innocent,
;you are ignorant. warn you"
!; "None the less, If l am to go forward
with the business which brought me
here to Gretzhoffen, surely l must
:once more meet the Count Frederick
+; The man at her side hesitated no
more than an instant. very WELL"
said he calmly. "As for me, my life
!: has been forfeit many time before
now. What matter? I will 60 with
;you as you say Indeed, fancy I
know why you ask me to go-they
know me at the palace-they will ad-
nit us both"
Il; It was as Roleau had said. When
finally the two drew up to the court
driveway in front of the counts pal
ace, they were admitted without ques-
ton. Roleau closed the door behind
him and put finger to his lips for
:,silence.
; "They will listen" he whispered.
:: "Be careful This is the room where
:Count Frederick receives his
friends"
. Curiously, silently, Kitty sat or at
times walked about the room, taking
stock of the surroundings. Count
Frederick entered.
"Mademoiselle! 1 am charmed! So
you remember me?"
"You may say as much indeed" re
Joined Kitty Gray calmly. II saw you
in the carriage this morning"
He turned now to Roleau, with nc
change in his countenance to indicate
amy recollection of the nature of theil
last meeting. "You may retire to the
next ROOM said he, dismissing hin
with wave of the hand.
"Do not in the least misunderstood
me, Monsieur lie Comte." said she
lightly. "My business is very simple
II have proposition to make to you
a business proposition"
But am not business man,
Knocked the smiling antagonist wht
faced her. He came yet half stel
closer
"Are you so sure?" exclaimed she
suddenly. els there no business il
which also am definitely concerned
Then why did you send messenge
to follow me in my own country, t.
ransack my apartments there, to vic
late my privacy even on the steamer?
"My man served me but ill-if
may admit part of what you sa.
mademoiselle."
THAT is why am here-and in hi
company! Yes, know your messen
ger as know you. Come, let us rea
son together over this, Monsieur i
Comte. Shall it be business or wa
between us?"
The sheer audacity of this speec
for one moment daunted Count FREQ
erick. The next he broke into roa
of laughter and flung himself into
chair. "Admirable!" said he
She started away from him. movin
toward the door. II came. E-cnsieu
lie Comte," said s,la boldly, to as
you what price for the half coin whic
you seek to hold. Suppose, for il
stance. that Gretzhoffen loan wer
executed for you finally in New Yor
would that influence you at all
Come now, let us reason"
Il am beyond reason; care littl
for the ,sordid side... i value not g
much money as what money bring
It could bring me no more than whs
fortune has brought me at no cos
this morning-this very hour"
"Roleau!" cried Kitty suddenly. +"
moi! Au secours! Vite!"
"You waste BREATH" laughed Coul
Frederick He cannot come"
Kitty made one swift dart towal
the door. She was too late. II
relentless face of her opponent smile