The Washington times., 1922-11-20


herself to me-" he had assured
the aged man.
The portieres at the farther
side of the room parted and a
girl appeared upon a balcony.
She looked down at him disdan-
fully, unbelievingly. In that mo-
ment OF her anger and disbelief
in him Titiana was more beauti-
ful. more desirable to him than
Ivan had believed any woman
could be.
THE BITTER SLUR.
Trust myself to you? Never.
she had cried. Have you not
been a traitor to every cause TO
which YOU swore fealty? Have
you not betrayed friends and enc.
mics alike? You know you have
and now you ask me to trust
you! l would sooner trust
snake"
The girl hurried down the
wide marble stairway and laid
her hand upon her uncle's arm.
Uncle, uncle. do not let this
treacherous dogs false promise
betray you into surrendering the
Jewels she begged. "He is faith
full to but one Cause-his own
He will betray you to the terror.
lists as he pretends to betray them
TO us. Oh, uncle. do not give
him the jewels. please please"
Ivan seemed to hear her words
again as clearly as on the tragic
night they were spoken. He seem.
ed to see the startling interrupt
ton that checked his half.uttered
assurance of loyalty. Again he
fought with the man who came
upon te scene from the dark en-.
trance of the castles secret pas
sageway. He heard again Ia.
t.ana's glad cry of welcome. He
saw again the tragic denoune-
ment which ended the conflict.
Many long months had passed
since that night, but never for
moment had he either forgotten or
forgiven, and now he paced his
apartment waiting for Tatiana on
might he felt would see his hour
Of retributive triumph.
Because Of overwrought nervous
tension. no doubt of the authen-
ticity of the note concerning
Orloff which she had received oc-
Cured to Tatiana. This being so.
it did not seem odd to her to find
a vacant taxi almost before the
door Of her apartment house.
Eight West Seventy-seccnd
street. and drive fast" she in.
structed.
A DOUR LEER.
The chauffeur's ingratiating
smile as he opened the door to
his fare became a dour leer Of
satisfaction as he drove off in the
darkness. He had captured the
girl for whom his employer had
sent him, and he knew by ex-
perience that Ivan was generous
with money-but in nothing else.
When he had ushered his un-
suspecting charge into Ivans
apartment his work was done, and
the mans evil face was abundant
proof that whatever happened to
her his nights work would cost
him no qualms of conscience.
What can have befallen Orloff?
Why did ever let him attempt to
recover the jewels? Oh, l pray
God l may be in time" was the
lament Tatiana murmured again
and again to herself as the cab
sped uptown. She neither knew
nor cared what 1t might be she
was required to do in Orloff's
behalf She desired only to be
with him; desired only to share
with him whatever of danger or
disaster his service Of her cause
had cost. Her mind had no
thought but anxiety for him as the
cab turned into Seventy.second
street. No. s proved to be hand.
some brownstone dwelling.
walt! may be here only a
few minutes, or I may be a long
time. No matter how long. wait"
she commanded. pressing a bill
into the taxi drivers hand and
hurrying up the steps. The door
was opened at her ring by Boris,
Ivan's confederate.
"Orloff-where is he7" Tatiana
demanded.
INSTANTLY shall conduct you
to him." the man answered glibly,
and then, as he closed the door,
he waved n well.done signal to the
driver. who drove off, congratulate.
ing himself upon the case with
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