Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-24

They reached the railroad station un.
eventually, where she learned that men
from from the Embassy had followed on BIZ
tSc'es tSe t,,a ,asa as a matter ] Of precaaton. and
and were safely installed She sank into
| her place silently and looked out Of the
WINDOW into the blur of moving lights
as vienna was left behind them Upon
the seat opposite her sat newly created
OFFICER of the Fifteenth Army Corps.
Hoer Lieutenant Karl Won Arnstorf,
nI,,n,as. rTUN,ns rather .Sr smart in his borrowed
situation did not frighten her. for she
thought that already she had read
enough OF her companions character to
Know that at least so far she was On
safe ground She gave him permission
70 smoke without his asking il. and
TINS, it seemed made for the beginnings
or new informality in their relations.
There isn't the slightest reason" she
said with smile. that YOU should be-
uncomfortable. Since you are doomed
for the present TO share my imprison-
"Doomed?" he exclaimed ciyillv.
You may be sure that'I don't look upon
such doom with unhappiness. Countess.
Arc you very tired?" ~
a little. ], shall sleep presentlyH
nG you know he said, as he
the flrst time in my rather vsriegated
career / find myself in false position."C
ton" .... 0'E =
"Really. How" .tE,st
dealing to do with women-with women
Of certain sort 1t is part of my
trade: Were you INSCRIPTIONS in
triguing. you would meet your match.
As i Is, you have me at disadvantages"
Il have felt it-from the first. Even
a so,sec secret agent has eyes, dimensions.
II am a little abashed as II in the
presence of phenomena Tsur helpless
ness and innocence. your loyalty and uri-
sefishnessyoI So, sns must be sure that sn
Marishka laughed easily.
You restore my faith IN humankind,
captain GoritZ. You'll admit that your
attitude toward me has been far from
reassuring."
Countess. ] beg of YOU"
Fhe alternative to disobeyinG your
estruction-death. she went
on. shuddering prettily. TL#
II am merely a cog in the great wheel
of efficiency. I spoke figuratively-"
But of course you know" she broke
In quickly with another laugh. that I
didn't believe you. l haven't really been
frightened at all. How could be?
You're not in the least alarming To
face the alternative you imposed would
take t X, courage, ! am easily frightened at
He laughed and then said soberIy, 1T
Is far from my wish to frighten you.
That kind of brutality has its justifica-
ton, but this Is not the occasion, nor
you the woman
"I was sure of it. If l hadn't been I
shouldn't have come with you"
"Ah.'' Goritz Strengthened and stared
at her. "But--your promise"
II should have broken that and asked
the first gendarme In the Ringstrasse to
take me home. You admit that the plan
would have been feaslble?"
He shrugged.
"The Countess Strahni's word Of
honor
Honor is as honor does-and I am
here, Captain Goritz."
Il trust that you will have no reason
to regret your decision"
That sounds like another threat"
ut isn't. I actually mean what ] say.
such a luxury very often" he laughed.
Then you're not going to murder me
offhand-"
Countess. I protest."
You wish my last moments to be
graced with courtesy. l shall at least
die like a rose--in aromatic pain"
Her irony was not lost on him. 10
was silent a moment, regarding her
Countess. you are too clever to be
unkind-your lips too lovely to uttesrs
words so painful could not do you
harm-it is impossible | pray that you
II am merely taking you at face value.
Herr Hauptmann." she returned coolly.
you have told me that you are merely
a thinking machine, or cog in the &
elimination-"
"a figure Of speech Your silence was
what | meant"
"Ah. silence. Perhaps. It seems that
I have already said enough"
quite" he smiled. You have set
Europe in turmoil--anotner Helen"
Wit With b. another n Paris is, in your back
He smiled. lowering his gaze to the
ash of his cigarette,
you speak in riddles
ITS your trade to solve them"
"Do not underestimate my intelli- Z
gence, I understand you," he laughed.
ut is fortunate thing for me that 5
you are not secret agent. My occu-
patton would be gone"
1T is a villainous occupation"
Because no secret agent can be him
self; It's rather pity, because I'd like
to like you -
And don't youI,a little?"
believe In you. If man is not true. to
wish to be his friends
He was silent for moment.
Il think perhaps" he said quietly ut
merely the servant OF my government
which stops at no means-even
DEATH e
II. too, look death in the face. Coun-
tess" he said with slow smile. 1T
turks in every byway-hangs in every +
bush."S I4a
1T is frightful," she sighed. ito live
like that, preying upon others, and be-
ing preyed upon-when the world is SO
beautiful"
''The world Is just what men have
made it. l, too. once dreamed-'
His words trailed off into silence, and he 6
looked out of the window into the night
And now?" she asked. stt#
Something in the tone of her voice Z
made him straighten and glance at her,
He had seen the same look in other
women's eyes t.tH "a
And now, | dream no more. Counties
Strahni," he said abruptly Fzs, NJ
Marishka's gaze fel! before his ely
am ~