Grand Forks herald., 1922-06-28
n r. d A " Id
BY E. PHILLIPS oPPENHEIM
'The BRUTE" David muttered.

The BRUTE" David muttered. HE !
had a wife in Moscow when I knew
him, and he left wife in Balkan
land when my father exiled him. You
not sure that you believed in mar
riage. You're not going to tell me
that you believe in the creed Of which
he is one of the apostles
Her hands fell away from his. A
wave Of color swept into her cheeks,
her eyes became strangely soft. she
suddenly hid her face in her hands.
1T Is terrible of you to say that"
David walked to the window and
back again.
II didn't mean to hurt you," he
said gently. You see to those whose
lives are beautiful and whose thoughts
are pure and creed is beautiful. bat
you cannot bring Utopia into be-s
smirched world. This attitude Of
yours has imposed upon you the
shame of having received an offer
from one Of the biggest rutfians in
history"
There was short silence. vir-
ginia became gradually more COM
posed. She had lost in measure
her wonderful poise. There was still
a spot of color in her cheeks. Her
full, sensitive mouth twitched ner-
vously. Even her eyes had lost their
sweet serenity. To David, watching
her closely, she seemed Suddenly to
have become immeasurably more at
tractive.
What am I to do?" she asked a
little pfteously. when left home
this morning there was only ono
thought burning in my brain. If in
deed it was true that you were Prince
David Of Balkanland I realized that
there was gulf between us, but
though that we might be friends.
meant to throw. myself at your feet,
to beg for such affection as you had
to give me, as much kindness as you
could spare. I was ashamed to think
that 1t was through my stepfather
I wanted to atone for it IL could, to
be your helper and to stay by your
side"
Dear Virginia" he said. "You see
for yourself how live: it is not pos
HbIe." +
She shook her head. +e
II don't ask for it now" she as
su{ed him. Something has come to
me. don't know what it is, but I
feel different. I've lost my hold upon.
life. My brain is all confused. T
don't seem able to see my way any
where. want to help you, If may,
but I want nothing. else.'
You shall help me- he promised.
Here, then, is my entire confidence
My real and earnest desire is to dis
cover what has brought LanE:rode to
II should have thought you had
discovered that she replied. He
came, without doubt, to xiii you"
am convinced that he had anoth-
er mission" David said. 81 fear the
man and distrust him.. am going to
ask you rather hard thing. Vir-
ginia, ] want you to go back to your
Her face was troubled. /5
Il must so away from you" she
said Just now / feel that shall
choke tn the atmosphere1oft this room,
and yet, David. what would you have
me DO can't go back to them az
though nothing had happened"
II why not?''
4 You're : man, but can't you un-
derstand My stepfather and Paul
End hotel. Langrode has taken o
suite there, and my stepfather is to
act as his secretary. He looked across
the table at mo when NE spoke Of Il,
II he were to say the things to me
which could see trembling there
upon his lips feel that could tear
the life out Of his, body" M AZ
David took her hand. ,5.g ,S
Virginia" he said;~ ''the bravest
women in life are not those who face
the ordinary dangers. but those who
dare to walk In the shadow whore
even their sOub may be bruised.
J What you tell me about Langrode's
! movements convinces me that / was
\ right, want you to watch him"
You would make me . spy she
muttered. S M sis.' G !, S3s.Is
\. II am i spy myself" David an
swered swiftly. III an enemy will
not face you in the open. should one
hesitate to go beneath the earth to
. look for him? Let me tell you this.
!, Virginia. Paul {Langrode and I have
/ met before with the lust for each 9TH
y er'sk blood In our hearts. He headed
2 mob once, who burnt and wrecked
A my own country palace near the cap.
, itAl. and who hunted me Ike woives,
and 1, In my turn. have chased LAn-
u erode through the streets with 4
q Sword In my hand ana ~ vow Ii, my
y theart TO sheathe II In his body - & 8 !.
q These Seem strange things 10 speak oi
here in London. With the policG on the
pAyements and the courts Of tjust1ce
!, MttinS, hut ne 4. Ana q have been
!. through turbulent times. We have
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