The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-05-02
ElEVEMTH lMSTALLMENT
CHAPTER xxx.
The Virtue of Necessity.


"He is killed. cried Kitty Gray, as
she stood, still uncertain as to the re-
suit of Count F1ederick's desperate
leap toward the moving train. Il can
not look
But presently she did look-both she
and Roleau passing not forward on the
train but to the rear of the car which
they occupied. Amazed, they saw
Count Frederick struggling to his feet.
Now. Roleau," she cried. I'VE must
be quick! If the count has taken this
desperate chance it was for some des-
perate purpose back of it. He knows
about the coill-we must get it before
he does, and that means at once"
How shall that be done, excel
lercy?" said Roleau, puzzled for just
moment.
Il have it," said Kitty, as they hur-
Tied deeper into the car that they
might not be seen by Count Frederick.
"Nait. l will send message to him
we will ask him to walk into our
parlor"
She seated herself for a moment
and hastily wrote few lines on page
of her note book smiling as she did
SC.
''Tiens." she laughed. Il am now
leader in Grahoffen diplomacy. Does
not my writing seem formal?"
we send it forward by the guard?"
Yes, Roleau, get him quick-give
him this money-we will wait here in
the drawing room near to the front
~ ~ ,Cf
tell him who we are"
But even as they waited, intent on
the success of this somewhat trans
parent ruse, Kitty heard the step of
the guard behind her, and turned. Yes,
Bartel of Grahoffen was with him, a
puzzled expression on his face, the
note still in his hand
1T was this lady sent me- monsieur"
explained the guard, and, witnessing
the stiff surprise CT all concerned. was
willing enough to step aside and leave
explanation to others.
Indeed" said Bartel-and himself
would have been equally glad to es-
cape, for there was no one in the world
whom he less expected or less desired
to sec than this young American who
now faced him smiling.
You here?-How can it be possible,
1nademoiselle?" said he. did you fail
from the skye
As he spoke any shrewd pickpocket
would have known in which pocket he
Lad concealed the coin; for uncon-
sciously his hand dropped over it.
Others also!" smiled Kitty Gray,
and pointed through the rear window
of the car to the fiat on which Count
Frederick stood. He even now was
turning to pass forward into the
train.
An exclamation passed from Bartel' S
lips. Heaven protect U.s." said he,
the thing is bewitched!"
lie turned and disappeared once
more in the forward part of the train.
For a moment Kitty thought of follow
ing him, but concluded that he would
make no attempt to conceal the coin
Since he was SO nearly at his destina
ton he would continue to keep it on
his person. Therefore she turned to
the rear of the car.
Monsieur lie Comte Frederick" she
exclaimed now, greeting the tall figure
which approached her. ''You come un
announced
Count Frederick gaZed at her for 2
moment in somewhat open admiration
Listen" said he at length. why
should we make any three-cornerel
fight of this at a moment such as this
when so much is at stake? Why should
We not unite against yonder man, {
common enemy, who has what we boil
desire? Beyond belief we are luck!
that we are both here alive. Yonde.
man has the coin-I know that al
well as you do. In half an hour b,
will be free. Once in Grahoffen will
the coin, he may wave farewell to u
and all our hopes. Come, mademci
selle, shall we be enemies or allies
You are wise enough to see what
mean"
Yes! And 1 suppose you to b
sportsman enough to play fair wit
us at least You have not Away
done So"
That" said Count Frederick SLOW
ly. the red blood mantling his dar
skin, lis the bitterest cut have know
in all my life. 1 have asked your fol
giveness before now-have told you
was my man alone who offered yo
violence-not l.. On the contrary,
have admired your own courage an
resourcefulness all the way through
1t seems to me you well have evene
any offense ! ever gave to you"
AT least said she. lone good tur
deserves another, and we have littl