Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-22

Permit me to go-there-alone-to-
night"
He laughed quietly
Alone? ! do not know what danger
may lurk in the valley. The fact that
! wish to keep you here--is better proof
! of my tenderness
/ She turned away from him and leaned
! upon the wall. But to him at least she
| did not show fear
We cannot remain here indefinitely,
she said CoOlly.
Are you not comfortable? Is not
everything provided for you?" 1t has
been my pride to make your Convaiescence
agreeable in all ways" he said. leaning
little nearer to her nave trleu
to atone for the discomforis OF your
journey. Was it not my sohcitude for
your health which baked my own p lans
You have questioned the truth of my
professions, but you cannot deny the
evidences of your safety
Marishka was thinking quickly. Much
as she abhorred the man. she realized
that. If she were to have any chance OF
success she must meet him with weapons
stronger than his own. And so she
turned to him with smile which con-
cealed her growing terror.
Herr Hauptmann, do not wish you
to think that | am ungrateful for the
many indulgences that you have shown
me Your position has been difficult
one. But from the beginning we have
Before the outbreak of the war-but
allies now"
Not if you persist in your plan to
carry me TO Germany"
He asked her permission to smoke
and when she had granted 1t he went on
! coolly:
Perhaps something may happen to
/ prevent the execution of my plan,' he
| said.
What" she stammered
He searched her face eagerly for
moment.
You may be sure Countess Strahni.
| he said in a half-whsper that 1t Is
of me as an enemy, Enemy ] am not
/ 1t Is my duty to take you TO Germany
but 1t is very painful to me to do any
! thing which makes you unhappy. Here
safe from detection. ! am still doing my
duty And in remaining here you too
are safe. Will you not try to be CON
tented-to endure my society just for
little while? I want to show you
She laughed to hide her fears.
will you try? I win be your slave
your servant within the castle you
may come and go as you please. No one
sion. You see. am not an eXacting
jailer. All / ask is the hope of your
Friendship a glimpse of your returning
smile and such companionshp as yor
care 10 give me. IL is not illutI ~
I not deserve It, Bite. think little"
Marishka gasped and fought the i'm
pulse to run from. him. for his face
was very near her shoulder, his voice
very close to her ear.
II think that--we may be friends
/ she murmured
Will you, give me your hand Count
| She extended 1t slowly and be bowed
over it, pressing it to his lips.
She found her excuse in a cough. &
| vestge Of her illness which she sum
moned to her rescue.
"It---it's getting late, Herr Ilaupt
by all means" He accompanied he
/ to the portal of the hall and then sh'
! left hirI.
| That night Marshka did not sleel
! and the next day, pleading fatigue, re
manned in her bedroom trying to music
! up the courage to go forth and NEE
/ Goritz at this tragic game of his owl
| choosing That she had stirred som
. sort of an emotion In the man was no
: to be doubted She read II in his eyes
in the touch of his fingers and in tn
too. the sense of his power, the conf
dence of his egotism to which all thing
were possible And much as she wishe
to believe the testimony of his fashe
of tenderness. the hazard OF her posi-
ton stared her in the face. But sh
| knew that with such a man she mus
play a game of subtlety and courage
And so she resolved to meet him FIRE
quently. testing every feminine devc
! to win him to her service which woul'
| Ohliterate all things but her own wishes
and present at last an opportunity 70
/ her escape
In the week that followed she Wake
out with him across the causeway int