The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-16
VI
This is one of The TinSaS
Novel a-Week
series. ~
II will be finished In six
big installments.

CONTINUED from our last issue.)
Stefan Balsic answered the
summons with that promptness
which is a courtesy in itself.
It had suited Delight to remove
all possible signs of the terrified
captive this man had brought
home the night before. She could
not recognize herself in that girl;
she did not mean that he should.
Now, | should like to know
what all this means." the girl de-
manded.
Madame, you are an Ameri-
can" Stefan began. Suppose
you had been a kinswoman of that
Benedict Arnold who betrayed
] your hero Washington; would you
have suffered his treason to go
on?"
NO"
Montenegro liberty has been
/ more hardly kept than your coun-
try's. Not for one year or one gen
) GRAFTON, but for five centuries.
! Our people have fought against
enormous odds. against craft and
temptation; but never vet against
treason. That first and last dis
grace has been reserved for my
house."
The girl uttered a faint cry.
1T Is so. While Montenegro is
! drawing her first quiet breath in
the first peace she has known,
Michael Balsic is planning to sell
her to Austria"
Delight spring to her feet. 81
do not believe you," she flung her
challenge. at is not true. You
always hated him, always, But
even though you think this of
your brother, l fail to understand
my part In it. Why am | here"
Because Michael shall not have
4 your money to corrupt men to his
purposes. In you is embodied
menace. Michael will gamble
with your money for high place
| under a foreign prince"
You have accused him to the
king?" she asked.
Hardly! Do you imagine de-
sire disgrace, or choose to be my
I brothers executioner? Yes" as
I she shrank. IF the king had my
! knowledge, Michael Balsic would
8 not live "a hours"
d You hate him!" -.
D What do you think s'me?s he
asked curiously. And when she
made no answer: There is nc
one who knows of this except
Danilo Lesendra and myself; and
now you. Remember that If you
repeat what you have heard, you
VIII hurt me, but you will kill
! Michael"
| "What-if you should hold the
proof. what would you do?"
When hold in my hands tan
gible evidence that will make! II
death for Michael to enter the
country he has wronged will
send him out; safe and free to
live as he will, so that he never
again crosses Montenegrin Dor
ders. Then you may marry him
IL you choose, madame. In Amer
lea your divorce from me will be
easily obtained"
! The girl flushed deeply; fancy
ing she OWNED contempt beneath
the calm level of his speech.
If he were what you say, ]
should never marry him, Count
Balsic. But he is not. I do not
wish to stay in your house; let
me go to my own country until
you have finished your investiga.
ton OF your unfortunate broth.
er's morals. l will wait"
Il am sorry to refuse" he
solwly regretted. you would
be like no woman | have known
II you kept that promise to wait
after your lover told you I had
lied. You would believe him."
mol" Delight contradicted.
MOI"
mo. You are not liar-you
are fanatic"
The silence that followed was
long. Count Balsic ended the in.
terview.
Before leave you, madame, .
ne said, will you live as my pris.
oner or my guest?"
You would trust me?"
Yes"
Oddly comforted by the knowl.
edge this man rated her so high
= Delight lifted her head with i'm
pulsive decision.
Il will not run away, Count
Balsic," she said.
CHAPTER w.
u Mr.. Rupert of New York
After the first dow naI,oh.