The Washington herald., 1915-10-03

hgnt that but a moment before had
giowed IN her eyes and irradiated her
lovely face. "Verap called ont her
iadyshlp, in voice of surprise and
reproof. Vera, whatever does this
Bertha is going, mother" replied
Sir Maurice's wife. Going for good
and all. Word has just come TO her
that nephew in Wales has died and
lett her some money. Good-by Ber-
tina, good-by, and good fortune to
you always. you faithful old soul"
Bertha took no notice of anything
or ANYBODY, from her dowager lady
ship to Cleek, as they advanced
since no one could see what was an.
preaching. if bent in that manner
and 1t was quite, quite impossible for
her to raise her head. But she could
see toes. and that, perhaps. was whv
she moved aside a trifle when a pair
OF masculine feet encased in enam-
eled boots got directly in her path
ard got in it again the instant She
did move, and the owner of them said
IN Cleeks serene, smoothly rounded
voice, Going away, Berthas Csnst
Bertha?" e'
But Bertha didn't hear, so didn't
answer, OF course; merely shifted 70
get out of the way of the enameled
boots, and the enameled boots shifted
with her and were more in the way
than ever.
DO persuade her to stop over
night, your ladyship," said Cleek, ad
dressing the dowager Lady Riving-
ton.
1t was Sir Maurice's wife that re-
piled.
mo. no! She eanno, stop, she
must not stopl" she struck in in
sort Of panic. Bertha, you must
hurry, you will miss your train"
Aye, aye-mustn't miss train
mustn't" came mumbling up from
the lips of the bowed face and the
screen OF the deeply-frilled mob cap
old Bertha wore Then she made a
step to the other side, and the enam-
eled boots made the same step with
her, so it was clear that they really
meant to get in her way; and a fit
of something like trembling seemed
to get hold OF her.
What's the matter, Bertha" con-
tinued Cleek as that mumbling voice
sounded. Got cold, Berthas Catch
it in Moscow, Berthao That's where
Sophie Morrovetski halls from, isn't
it?-Sophie Morrovetski, the Nihil:st,
who took the oath of the Secret Sew
en- to repay Sir Maurice Rivington's
exposure OF their plot by wiping him
and his entire race out when-No
you don't, you dog" as old Bertha
mad. Iart Is a. I,,,, ,.I c.
Maurice's wife flung out despairing
scream, faced round and fed indoors.
Got you, Malagotski! Got you,
you damned hound! Take those with
the compliments of Cleekr'
Then there was the click of hand
cuffs, rush of footsteps as a pair of
constables came up out Of the dark
ness at his whistle, snarl of angry
despair as he whirled that skirted
and manacled figure over to them.
and after that, confusion, panic, pam
demonium.
Then he swung round and darted
into the house after Sir Maurice Riv-
ington's wife, and following the lead
in which her footsteps few and her
wailing cries sounded, ran on and up
after her until a door slammed,
shot bolt clashed and-he could 60
no farther.
And then-then he did a strange
thing! For instead of throwing him
self against tine door and making any
effort to break it from its hinges. he
dropped on his knees, put his lips TO
the keyhole and called softly:
Lady Rivington, Lady Vera Riv-
ington, Sophie Morrovetski is dead!
She died when I found that blood
stained dress and the feather which
told how and why the green parrot
was killed. Sir Maurice never heard
of her. Sir Maurice never shall hear
OF her from me- 1t was love after all
real love, wasn't it? Love did it!
You came to entrap and to slay; you
remained to protect and to safe
guard"
From the other side Of the door a
woman's wailing cry sounded, and
after it a woman's broken voice said
despairin gly "Oh, the madness of
it, Oh. the folly of it, Maurice will
shrink from me in borrow when he
learns"
From whom shall he learn, I'll
never betray you; his mother will
never betray you when she hears the
truth. / know enough of women to
promise you that Charlock will not
speak either: he's a good fellow at
bottom after all. Who will betray
if we three remain silent?"
"Malagotski," she made answer
brokenly.
Russia will shut his mouth and
Russia shall have him, l promise you.
He is satisfied that you are loyal;
that you have done half the work, and
will in time do all of it. He will
never betray you so long as he can
speak. The parrots blood on the
dress and the knife deceived him as
you meant it should. He came to
hasten on the work, to hold you up
to the oath and to make your life 4
hell. If father or son were not killed
by certain time as token OF your
good faith and loyalty to the cause,
he would do the work himself. And
so you played that trick with a hid
den child and garments smeared with
parrots blood to get rid of the man.
That was it, wasn't it,"
Yes" she gave answer. "He loves
me, dear little Eric! 1t goes to my
heart to have to threaten and be
harsh to keep him silent when steal
into the lilac room with food and
drink for him."
"He is there, them"
"Yes. At first l carried him up here