[Illustration: Henry E. Dixey in "The Man on the Box. "]

THE MAN ON THE BOX

by

HAROLD MACGRATH

Author ofThe Grey Cloak, The Puppet Crown

Illustrated by scenes from Walter N. Lawrence's beautiful productionof the play as seen for 123 nights at the Madison Square Theatre, NewYork

To Miss Louise Everts

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

 I Introduces My Hero

 II Introduces My Heroine

 III The Adventure Begins

 IV A Family Reunion

 V The Plot Thickens

 VI The Man on the Box

 VII A Police Affair

 VIII Another Salad Idea

 IX The Heroine Hires a Groom

 X Pirate

 XI The First Ride

 XII A Ticklish Business

 XIII A Runaway

 XIV An Ordeal or Two

 XV Retrospective

 XVI The Previous Affair

 XVII Dinner is Served

XVIII Caught!

 XIX "Oh, Mister Butler"

 XX The Episode of the Stove Pipe

 XXI The Rose

 XXII The Drama Unrolls

XXIII Something About Heroes

 XXIV A Fine Lover

 XXV A Fine Heroine, Too

 XXVI The Castle of Romance

_He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts are small, Who dares not put it to the touch To win or lose it all. _

_Dramatis Personae_

_Colonel George Annesley_ A retired Army Officer

_Miss Betty Annesley_ His daughter

_Lieutenant Robert Warburton_ Lately resigned

_Mr. John Warburton_ His elder brother, of the War Department

_Mrs. John Warburton_ The elder brother's wife

_Miss Nancy Warburton_ The lieutenant's sister

_Mr. Charles Henderson_ Her fiance

_Count Karloff_ An unattached diplomat

_Colonel Frank Raleigh_ The Lieutenant's Regimental Colonel

_Mrs. Chadwick_ A product of Washington life

_Monsieur Pierre_ A chef

_Mademoiselle Celeste_ A lady's maid

_Jane_ Mrs. Warburton's maid

_The Hopeful_ A baby

_William_ A stable-boy

_Fashionable People_ Necessary for a dinner party

_Celebrities_ Also necessary for a dinner party

_Unfashionables_ Police, cabbies, grooms, clerks, etc. 

TIME--Within the past ten years. 

SCENE--Washington, D. C. , and its environs. 

I

INTRODUCES MY HERO

If you will carefully observe any map of the world that is dividedinto inches at so many miles to the inch, you will be surprised asyou calculate the distance between that enchanting Paris of Franceand the third-precinct police-station of Washington, D. C, which isnot enchanting. It is several thousand miles. Again, if you will takethe pains to run your glance, no doubt discerning, over the police-blotter at the court (and frankly, I refuse to tell you the exactdate of this whimsical adventure), you will note with even greatersurprise that all this hubbub was caused by no crime against thecommonwealth of the Republic or against the person of any of itsconglomerate people. The blotter reads, in heavy simple fist, "disorderly conduct, " a phrase which is almost as embracing as theword diplomacy, or society, or respectability. 

So far as my knowledge goes, there is no such a person as JamesOsborne. If, by any unhappy chance, he _does_ exist, I trustthat he will pardon the civil law of Washington, my own measure offamiliarity, and the questionable taste on the part of my hero--hero, because, from the rise to the fall of the curtain, he occupies thecenter of the stage in this little comedy-drama, and because authorshave yet to find a happy synonym for the word. The name James Osbornewas given for the simple reason that it was the first that occurredto the culprit's mind, so desperate an effort did he make to hide hisidentity. Supposing, for the sake of an argument in his favor, supposing he had said John Smith or William Jones or John Brown? Tothis very day he would have been hiring lawyers to extricate him fromlibel and false-representation suits. Besides, had he given any ofthese names, would not that hound-like scent of the ever suspiciouspolice have been aroused?

To move round and round in the circle of commonplace, and then to popout of it like a tailed comet! Such is the history of many a man'slife. I have a near friend who went away from town one fall, happyand contented with his lot. And what do you suppose he found when hereturned home? He had been nominated for alderman. It is too early topredict the fate of this unhappy man. And what tools Fate uses withwhich to carve out her devious peculiar patterns! An Apache Indian, besmeared with brilliant greases and smelling of the water that neverfreezes, an understudy to Cupid? Fudge! you will say, or Pshaw! orwhatever slang phrase is handy and, prevalent at the moment you readand run. 

I personally warn you that this is a really-truly story, though I donot undertake to force you to believe it; neither do I purvey manygrains of salt. If Truth went about her affairs laughing, how manymore persons would turn and listen! For my part, I believe it allnonsense the way artists have pictured Truth. The idea is prettyenough, but so far as hitting things, it recalls the woman, thestone, and the hen. I am convinced that Truth goes about dressed inthe dowdiest of clothes, with black-lisle gloves worn at the fingers, and shoes run down in the heels, an exact portrait of one of PhilMay's lydies. Thus it is that we pass her by, for the artistic sensein every being is repelled at the sight of a dowdy with weeping eyesand a nose that has been rubbed till it is as red as a winter apple. Anyhow, if she _does_ go about in beautiful nudity, she ought atleast to clothe herself with smiles and laughter. There are sorryenough things in the world as it is, without a lachrymal, hypochondriacal Truth poking her face in everywhere. 

Not many months ago, while seated on the stone veranda in the rear ofthe Metropolitan Club in Washington (I believe we were discussing themerits of some very old product), I recounted some of the lighterchapters of this adventure. 

_"Eempossible!"_ murmured the Russian attache, just as if thematter had not come under his notice semi-officially. 

I presume that this exclamation disclosed another side to diplomacy, which, stripped of its fine clothes, means dexterity in hidingsecrets and in negotiating lies. When one diplomat believes whatanother says, it is time for the former's government to send himpacking. However, the Englishman at my right gazed smiling into hispartly emptied glass and gently stirred the ice. I admire the Englishdiplomat; he never wastes a lie. He is frugal and saving. 

"But the newspapers!" cried the journalist. "They never ran a line;and an exploit like this would scarce have escaped them. "

"If I remember rightly, it was reported in the regular police itemsof the day, " said I. 

"Strange that the boys didn't look behind the scenes. "

"Oh, I don't know, " remarked the congressman; "lots of things happenof which you are all ignorant. The public mustn't know everything. "

"But what's the hero's name?" asked the journalist. 

"That's a secret, " I answered. "Besides, when it comes to the bottomof the matter, I had something to do with the suppressing of thepolice news. In a case like this, suppression becomes a law notexcelled by that which governs self-preservation. My friend has abrother in the War Department; and together we worked wonders. "

"It's a jolly droll story, however you look at it, " the Englishmanadmitted. 

"Nevertheless, it had its tragic side; but that is even more thanever a secret. "

The Englishman looked at me sharply, even gravely; but the veranda isonly dimly illuminated at night, and his scrutiny went unrewarded. 

"Eh, well!" said the Russian; "your philosopher has observed that allmankind loves a lover. "

"As all womankind loves a love-story, " the Englishman added. "Youought to be very successful with the ladies, "--turning to me. 

"Not inordinately; but I shall not fail to repeat your epigram, "--andI rose. 

My watch told me that it was half after eight; and one does notreceive every day an invitation to a dinner-dance at the Chevy ChaseClub. 

I dislike exceedingly to intrude my own personality into thisnarrative, but as I was passively concerned, I do not see how I canavoid it. Besides, being a public man, I am not wholly averse topublicity; first person, singular, perpendicular, as Thackeray hadit, in type looks rather agreeable to the eye. And I rather believethat I have a moral to point out and a parable to expound. 

My appointment in Washington at that time was extraordinary; that isto say, I was a member of one of those committees that are bornfrequently and suddenly in Washington, and which almost immediatelyafter registration in the vital statistics of national politics. Ihad been sent to Congress, a dazzling halo over my head, the prideand hope of my little country town; I had been defeated for secondterm; had been recommended to serve on the committee aforesaid;served with honor, got my name in the great newspapers, and was sentback to Congress, where I am still to-day, waiting patiently for adiscerning president and a vacancy in the legal department of thecabinet. That's about all I am willing to say about myself. 

As for this hero of mine, he was the handsomest, liveliest rascal youwould expect to meet in a day's ride. By handsome I do not meanperfect features, red cheeks, Byronic eyes, and so forth. That styleof beauty belongs to the department of lady novelists. I mean thatpeculiar manly beauty which attracts men almost as powerfully as itdoes women. For the sake of a name I shall call him Warburton. Hisgiven name in actual life is Robert. But I am afraid that nobody buthis mother and one other woman ever called him Robert. The world atlarge dubbed him Bob, and such he will remain up to that day (and mayit be many years hence!) when recourse will be had to Robert, because"Bob" would certainly look very silly on a marble shaft. 

What a friendly sign is a nickname! It is always a good fellow who iscalled Bob or Bill, Jack or Jim, Tom, Dick or Harry. Even out ofTheodore there comes a Teddy. I know in my own case the boys used tocall me Chuck, simply because I was named Charles. (I haven't theslightest doubt that I was named Charles because my good motherthought I looked something like Vandyke's _Charles I_, though atthe time of my baptism I wore no beard whatever. ) And how I hated aboy with a high-sounding, unnicknamable given name!--with his roundwhite collar and his long glossy curls! I dare say he hated the name, the collar, and the curls even more than I did. Whenever you runacross a name carded in this stilted fashion, "A. Thingumy Soandso", you may make up your mind at once that the owner is ashamed of hisfirst name and is trying manfully to live it down and eventuallyforgive his parents. 

Warburton was graduated from West Point, ticketed to a desolatefrontier post, and would have worn out his existence there but forhis guiding star, which was always making frantic efforts to bolt itsestablished orbit. One day he was doing scout duty, perhaps half amile in advance of the pay-train, as they called the picturesquecaravan which, consisting of a canopied wagon and a small troop ofcavalry in dingy blue, made progress across the desert-like plains ofArizona. The troop was some ten miles from the post, and as there hadbeen no sign of Red Eagle all that day, they concluded that the rumorof his being on a drunken rampage with half a dozen braves was only arumor. Warburton had just passed over a roll of earth, and for amoment the pay-train had dropped out of sight. It was twilight;opalescent waves of heat rolled above the blistered sands. A paleyellow sky, like an inverted bowl rimmed with delicate blue andcrimson hues, encompassed the world. The bliss of solitude fell onhim, and, being something of a poet, he rose to the stars. The smokeof his corncob pipe trailed lazily behind him. The horse under himwas loping along easily. Suddenly the animal lifted his head, and hisbrown ears went forward. 

At Warburton's left, some hundred yards distant, was a clump of osagebrush. Even as he looked, there came a puff of smoke, followed by theevil song of a bullet. My hero's hat was carried away. He wheeled, dug his heels into his horse, and cut back over the trail. There camea second flash, a shock, and then a terrible pain in the calf of hisleft leg. He fell over the neck of his horse to escape the thirdbullet. He could see the Apache as he stood out from behind the bush. Warburton yanked out his Colt and let fly. He heard a yell. It wasvery comforting. That was all he remembered of the skirmish. 

For five weeks he languished in the hospital. During that time hecame to the conclusion that he had had enough of military life in theWest. He applied for his discharge, as the compulsory term of servicewas at an end. When his papers came he was able to get about with theaid of a crutch. One morning his colonel entered his subaltern'sbachelor quarters. 

"Wouldn't you rather have a year's leave of absence, than quitaltogether, Warburton?"

"A year's leave of absence?" cried theinvalid, "I am likely to get that, I am. "

"If you held a responsible position I dare say it would be difficult. As it is, I may say that I can obtain it for you. It will be monthsbefore you can ride a horse with that leg. "

"I thank you, Colonel Raleigh, but I think I'll resign. In fact, Ihave resigned. "

"We can withdraw that, if you but say the word. I don't want to loseyou, lad. You're the only man around here who likes a joke as well asI do. And you will have a company if you'll only stick to it a littlelonger. "

"I have decided, Colonel. I'm sorry you feel like this about it. Yousee, I have something like twenty-five thousand laid away. I want tosee at least five thousand dollars' worth of new scenery before Ishuffle off this mortal coil. The scenery around here palls on me. Mythroat and eyes are always full of sand. I am off to Europe. Someday, perhaps, the bee will buzz again; and when it does, I'll haveyou go personally to the president. "

"As you please, Warburton. "

"Besides, Colonel, I have been reading Treasure Island again, andI've got the fever in my veins to hunt for adventure, even atreasure. It's in my blood to wander and do strange things, and hereI've been hampered all these years with routine. I shouldn't care ifwe had a good fight once in a while. My poor old dad traveled aroundthe world three times, and I haven't seen anything of it but themaps. "

"Go ahead, then. Only, talking about Treasure Island, don't you andyour twenty-five thousand run into some old Long John Silver. "

"I'll take care. "

And Mr. Robert packed up his kit and sailed away. Not many monthspassed ere he met his colonel again, and under rather embarrassingcircumstances. 

II

INTRODUCES MY HEROINE

Let me begin at the beginning. The boat had been two days out ofSouthampton before the fog cleared away. On the afternoon of thethird day, Warburton curled up in his steamer-chair and lazily viewedthe blue October seas as they met and merged with the blue Octoberskies. I do not recollect the popular novel of that summer, but atany rate it lay flapping at the side of his chair, forgotten. Itnever entered my hero's mind that some poor devil of an author hadsweated and labored with infinite pains over every line, andparagraph, and page-labored with all the care and love his heart andmind were capable of, to produce this finished child of fancy; orthat this same author, even at this very moment, might be seated onthe veranda of his beautiful summer villa, figuring out royalties onthe backs of stray envelopes. No, he never thought of these things. 

What with the wind and the soft, ceaseless jar of the throbbingengines, half a dream hovered above his head, and touched him with agentle, insistent caress. If you had passed by him this afternoon, and had been anything of a mathematician who could straighten outgeometrical angles, you would have come close to his height had youstopped at five feet nine. Indeed, had you clipped off the heels ofhis low shoes, you would have been exact. But all your nicecalculations would not have solved his weight. He was slender, but hewas hard and compact. These hard, slender fellows sometimes weighmore than your men of greater bulk. He tipped the scales at onehundred sixty-two, and he looked twenty pounds less. He was twenty-eight; a casual glance at him, and you would have been willing towager that the joy of casting his first vote was yet to be his. 

The princess commands that I describe in detail the charms of thisArmy Adonis. Far be it that I should disobey so august a command, being, as I am, the prime minister in this her principality ofDomestic Felicity. Her brother has never ceased to be among the firstin her dear regard. He possessed the merriest black eyes: hismother's eyes, as I, a boy, remember them. No matter how immobile hisfeatures might be, these eyes of his were ever ready for laughter. His nose was clean-cut and shapely. A phrenologist would have saidthat his head did not lack the bump of caution; but I know better. Atpresent he wore a beard; so this is as large an inventory of hispersonal attractions as I am able to give. When he shaves off hisbeard, I shall be pleased to add further particulars. I often marvelthat the women did not turn his head. They were always sending himnotes and invitations and cutting dances for him. Perhaps his devil-may-care air had something to do with the enchantment. I have yet tosee his equal as a horseman. He would have made it interesting forthat pair of milk-whites which our old friend, Ulysses (or was itDiomedes?) had such ado about. 

Every man has some vice or other, even if it is only being good. Warburton had perhaps two: poker and tobacco. He would get out of bedat any hour if some congenial spirit knocked at the door andwhispered that a little game was in progress, and that his money wasneeded to keep it going. I dare say that you know all about theselittle games. But what would you? What is a man to do in a countrywhere you may buy a whole village for ten dollars? Warburton seldomdrank, and, like the author of this precious volume, only specialvintages. 

At this particular moment this hero of mine was going over themonotony of the old days in Arizona, the sand-deserts, the unlovelylandscapes, the dull routine, the indifferent skirmishes with cattle-men and Indians; the pagan bullet which had plowed through his leg. And now it was all over; he had surrendered his straps; he was aprivate citizen, with an income sufficient for his needs. It will goa long way, forty-five hundred a year, if one does not attempt tocover the distance in a five-thousand motor-car; and he hated alllocomotion that was not horse-flesh. 

For nine months he had been wandering over Europe, if not happy, atleast in a satisfied frame of mind. Four of these months had beendelightfully passed in Paris; and, as his nomad excursions hadinvariably terminated in that queen of cities, I make Paris thestarting point of his somewhat remarkable adventures. Besides, it wasin Paris that he first saw Her. And now, here he was at last, homeward-bound. That phrase had a mighty pleasant sound; it was tothe ear what honey is to the tongue. Still, he might yet have been inParis but for one thing: She was on board this very boat. 

Suddenly his eyes opened full wide, bright with eagerness. 

"It is She!" he murmured. He closed his eyes again, the hypocrite!

Permit me to introduce you to my heroine. Mind you, she is not_my_ creation; only Heaven may produce her like, and but once. She is well worth turning around to gaze at. Indeed I know more thanone fine gentleman who forgot the time of day, the importantengagement, or the trend of his thought, when she passed by. 

She was coming forward, leaning against the wind and inclining to theuncertain roll of the ship. A gray raincoat fitted snugly theyouthful rounded figure. Her hands were plunged into the pockets. Youmay be sure that Mr. Robert noted through his half-closed eyelidsthese inconsequent details. A tourist hat sat jauntily on the finelight brown hair, that color which has no appropriate metaphor. (Atleast, I have never found one, and I am _not_ in love with herand _never_ was. ) Warburton has described to me her eyes, so Iam positive that they were as heavenly blue as a rajah's sapphire. Her height is of no moment. What man ever troubled himself about theheight of a woman, so long as he wasn't undersized himself? Whatpleased Warburton was the exquisite skin. He was always happy withhis comparisons, and particularly when he likened her skin to thebloomy olive pallor of a young peach. The independent stride wasdistinguishingly American. Ah, the charm of these women who are mycountrywomen! They come, they go, alone, unattended, courageouswithout being bold, self-reliant without being rude; inimitable. Inwhat an amiable frame of mind Nature must have been on the day shecast these molds! But I proceed. The young woman's chin was tilted, and Warburton could tell by the dilated nostrils that she wasbreathing in the gale with all the joy of living, filling her healthylungs with it as that rare daughter of the Cyprian Isle might havedone as she sprang that morn from the jeweled Mediterranean spray, that beggar's brooch of Neptune's. 

Warburton's heart hadn't thrilled so since the day when he firstdonned cadet gray. There was scarce any room for her to pass betweenhis chair and the rail; and this knowledge filled the rascal withexultation. Nearer and nearer she came. He drew in his breath sharplyas the corner of his foot-rest (aided by the sly wind) caught herraincoat. 

"I beg your pardon!" he said, sitting up. 

She quickly released her coat, smiled faintly, and passed on. 

Sometimes the most lasting impressions are those which are printedmost lightly on the memory. Mr. Robert says that he never will forgetthat first smile. And he didn't even know her name then. 

I was about to engage your attention with a description of thevillain, but on second thought I have decided that it would be ratherunfair. For at that moment he was at a disadvantage. Nature waspunishing him for a few shortcomings. The steward that night informedWarburton, in answer to his inquiries, that he, the villain, wasdreadfully seasick, and was begging him, the steward, to scuttle theship and have done with it. I have my doubts regarding this. Mr. Robert is inclined to flippancy at times. It wasn't seasickness; andafter all is said and done, it is putting it harshly to call this mana villain. I recant. True villainy is always based upon selfishness. Remember this, my wise ones. 

Warburton was somewhat subdued when he learned that the sufferinggentleman was _her_ father. 

"What did you say the name was?" he asked innocently. Until now hehadn't had the courage to put the question to any one, or to prowlaround the purser's books. 

"Annesley; Colonel Annesley and daughter, " answered the unsuspectingsteward. 

Warburton knew nothing then of the mental tragedy going on behind thecolonel's state-room door. How should he have known? On the contrary, he believed that the father of such a girl must be a most knightlyand courtly gentleman. He _was_, in all outward appearance. There had been a time, not long since, when he had been knightly andcourtly in all things. 

Surrounding every upright man there is a mire, and if he step notwisely, he is lost. There is no coming back; step by step he must goon and on, till he vanishes and a bubble rises over where he butlately stood. That he misstepped innocently does not matter; mire andevil have neither pity nor reason. To spend what is not ours and thento try to recover it, to hide the guilty step: this is futility. Fromthe alpha men have made this step; to the omega they will make it, with the same unchanging futility. After all, it _is_ money. Money _is_ the root of all evil; let him laugh who will, in hisheart of hearts he knows it. 

Money! Have you never heard that siren call to you, call seductivelyfrom her ragged isle, where lurk the reefs of greed and selfishness?Money! What has this siren not to offer? Power, ease, glory, luxury;aye, I had almost said love! But, no; love is the gift of God, moneyis the invention of man: all the good, all the evil, in the heart ofthis great humanity. 

III

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

It was only when the ship was less than a day's journey off SandyHook that the colonel came on deck, once more to resume his interestin human affairs. How the girl hovered about him! She tucked theshawl more snugly around his feet; she arranged and rearranged thepillows back of his head; she fed him from a bowl of soup; she readfrom some favorite book; she smoothed the furrowed brow; she stilledthe long, white, nervous fingers with her own small, firm, brownones; she was mother and daughter in one. Wherever she moved, theparent eye followed her, and there lay in its deeps a strange mixtureof fear, and trouble, and questioning love. All the while he drummedceaselessly on the arms of his chair. 

And Mr. Robert, watching all these things from afar, Mr. Robertsighed dolorously. The residue air in his lungs was renewed morefrequently than nature originally intended it should be. Love has itsbeneficences as well as its pangs, only they are not whollyappreciable by the recipient. For what is better than a good pair oflungs constantly filled and refilled with pure air? Mr. Robert evenfelt a twinge of remorse besides. He was brother to a girl almost asbeautiful as yonder one (to my mind far more beautiful!) and herecalled that in two years he had not seen her nor made strenuousefforts to keep up the correspondence. Another good point added tothe score of love! And, alas! he might never see this charming girlagain, this daughter so full of filial love and care. He had soughtthe captain, but that hale and hearty old sea-dog had politelyrebuffed him. 

"My dear young man, " he said, "I do all I possibly can for theentertainment and comfort of my passengers, but in this case I mustrefuse your request. "

"And pray, why, sir?" demanded Mr. Robert, with dignity. 

"For the one and simple reason that Colonel Annesley expressed thedesire to be the recipient of no ship introductions. "

"What the deuce is he, a billionaire?"

"You have me there, sir. I confess that I know nothing whatever abouthim. This is the first time he has ever sailed on my deck. "

All of which perfectly accounts for Mr. Robert's sighs in whatmusicians call the _doloroso_. If only he knew some one who knewthe colonel! How simple it would be! Certainly, a West Point graduatewould find some consideration. But the colonel spoke to no one savehis daughter, and his daughter to none but her parent, her maid, andthe stewardess. Would they remain in New York, or would they seektheir far-off southern home? Oh, the thousands of questions whichsurged through his brain! From time to time he glanced sympatheticallyat the colonel, whose fingers drummed and drummed and drummed. 

"Poor wretch! his stomach must be in bad shape. Or maybe he has thepalsy. " Warburton mused upon the curious incertitude of the humananatomy. 

But Colonel Annesley did not have the palsy. What he had is at oncethe greatest blessing and the greatest curse of God--remembrance, orconscience, if you will. 

What a beautiful color her hair was, dappled with sunshine andshadow! . .. Pshaw! Mr. Robert threw aside his shawl and book (it isof no real importance, but I may as well add that he never completedthe reading of that summer's most popular novel) and sought thesmoking-room, where, with the aid of a fat perfecto and a liberalstack of blues, he proceeded to divert himself till the boat reachedquarantine. I shall not say that he left any of his patrimony at themahogany table with its green-baize covering and its little brassdisks for cigar ashes, but I am certain that he did not make one ofthose stupendous winnings we often read about and never witness. Thismuch, however: he made the acquaintance of a very importantpersonage, who was presently to add no insignificant weight on thescales of Mr. Robert's destiny. 

He was a Russian, young, handsome, suave, of what the newspapersinsist on calling distinguished bearing. He spoke English pleasantlybut imperfectly. He possessed a capital fund of anecdote, andWarburton, being an Army man, loved a good droll story. It was arevelation to see the way he dipped the end of his cigar into hiscoffee, a stimulant which he drank with Balzacian frequency andrelish. Besides these accomplishments, he played a very smooth handat the great American game. While Mr. Robert's admiration was notaroused, it was surely awakened. 

My hero had no trouble with the customs officials. A brace of oldFrench dueling pistols and a Turkish simitar were the only articleswhich might possibly have been dutiable. The inspector looked hard, but he was finally convinced that Mr. Robert was _not_ aprofessional curio-collector. Warburton, never having returned fromabroad before, found a deal of amusement and food for thought in theensuing scenes. There was one man, a prim, irascible old fellow, whowas not allowed to pass in two dozen fine German razors. There was atime of it, angry words, threats, protestations. The inspector stoodfirm. The old gentleman, in a fine burst of passion, tossed therazors into the water. Then they were going to arrest him forsmuggling. A friend extricated him. The old gentleman went away, saying something about the tariff and an unreasonably warm placewhich has as many synonyms as an octopus has tentacles. 

Another man, his mouth covered by an enormous black mustache whichmust have received a bath every morning in coffee or somethingstronger, came forward pompously. I don't know to this day what magicword he said, but the inspectors took never a peep into hisbelongings. Doubtless they knew him, and that his word was as good ashis bond. 

Here a woman wept because the necklace she brought trustingly fromRotterdam must be paid for once again; and here another, who clenchedher fists (do women have fists?) and if looks could have killed therewould have been a vacancy in customs forthwith. All her choicestlinen strewn about on the dirty boards, all soiled and rumpled anduseless!

When the colonel's turn came, Warburton moved within hearingdistance. How glorious she looked in that smart gray traveling habit!With what well-bred indifference she gazed upon the scene! Calmly herglance passed among the circles of strange faces, and ever and anonreturned to the great ship which had safely brought her back to hernative land. There were other women who were just as well-bred andindifferent, only Warburton had but one pair of eyes. Sighs in the_doloroso_ again. Ha! if only one of these meddling jackasseswould show her some disrespect and give him the opportunity ofavenging the affront!

(Come, now; let me be your confessor. Have you never thought andacted like this hero of mine? Haven't you been just as melodramaticand ridiculous? It is nothing to be ashamed of. For my part, I shouldconfess to it with the same equanimity as I should to the mumps orthe measles. It comes with, and is part and parcel of, all thatstrange medley we find in the Pandora box of life. Love has nodiagnosis, so the doctors say. 'Tis all in the angle of vision. )

But nothing happened. Colonel Annesley and his daughter were oldhands; they had gone through all this before. Scarce an article intheir trunks was disturbed. There was a slight duty of some twelvedollars (Warburton's memory is marvelous), and their luggage wasfree. But alas, for the perspicacity of the inspectors! I can verywell imagine the god of irony in no better or more fitting place thanin the United States Customs House. 

Once outside, the colonel caught the eye of a cabby, and he and hisdaughter stepped in. 

"Holland House, sir, did you say?" asked the cabby. 

The colonel nodded. The cabby cracked his whip, and away they rolledover the pavement. 

Warburton's heart gave a great bound. She had actually leaned out ofthe cab, and for one brief moment their glances had met. Scarceknowing what he did, he jumped into another cab and went poundingafter. It was easily ten blocks from the pier when the cabby raisedthe lid and peered down at his fare. 

"Do you want t' folly them ahead?" he cried. 

"No, no!" Warburton was startled out of his wild dream. "Drive to theHolland House--no--to the Waldorf. Yes, the Waldorf; and keep yournag going. "

"Waldorf it is, sir!" The lid above closed. 

Clouds had gathered in the heavens. It was beginning to rain. ButWarburton neither saw the clouds nor felt the first few drops ofrain. All the way up-town he planned and planned--as many plans asthere were drops of rain; the rain wet him, but the plans drownedhim--he became submerged. If I were an expert at analysis, which I amnot, I should say that Mr. Robert was not violently in love; rather Ishould observe that he was fascinated with the first really fine facehe had seen in several years. Let him never see Miss Annesley again, and in two weeks he would entirely forget her. I know enough of therace to be able to put forward this statement. Of course, it isunderstood that he would have to mingle for the time among otherhandsome women. Now, strive as he would, he could not think out afeasible plan. One plan might have given him light, but the thousandthat came to him simply overwhelmed him fathoms deep. If he couldfind some one he knew at the Holland House, some one who would strikeup a smoking-room acquaintance with the colonel, the rest would besimple enough. Annesley--Annesley; he couldn't place the name. Was hea regular, retired, or a veteran of the Civil War? And yet, the namewas not totally unfamiliar. Certainly, he was a fine-looking oldfellow, with his white hair and Alexandrian nose. And here he was, he, Robert Warburton, in New York, simply because he happened to bein the booking office of the _Gare du Nord_ one morning andoverheard a very beautiful girl say: "Then we shall sail fromSouthampton day after to-morrow. " Of a truth, it is the infinitesimalthings that count heaviest. 

So deep was he in the maze of his tentative romance that when the cabfinally stopped abruptly, he was totally unaware of the transitionfrom activity to passivity. 

"Hotel, sir!"

"Ah, yes!" Warburton leaped out, fumbled in his pocket, and broughtforth a five-dollar note, which he gave to the cabby. He did notrealize it, but this was the only piece of American money he had onhis person. Nor did he wait for the change. Mr. Robert wasexceedingly careless with his money at this stage of his infatuation;being a soldier, he never knew the real value of legal tender. I knowthat _I_ should never have been guilty of such liberality, noteven if Mister Cabby had bowled me from Harlem to Brooklyn. And youmay take my word for it, the gentleman in the ancient plug-hat didnot wait to see if his fare had made a mistake, but trotted away goodand hearty. The cab system is one of the most pleasing and amiablephases of metropolitan life. 

Warburton rushed into the noisy, gorgeous lobby, and wandered abouttill he espied the desk. Here he turned over his luggage checks tothe clerk and said that these accessories of travel must be in hisroom before eight o'clock that night, or there would be trouble. Itwas now half after five. The clerk eagerly scanned the register. Warburton, Robert Warburton; it was not a name with which _he_was familiar. A thin film of icy hauteur spread over his face. 

"Very well, sir. Do you wish a bath with your room?"

"Certainly. " Warburton glanced at his watch again. 

"The price--"

"Hang the price! A room, a room with a bath--that's what I want. Haveyou got it?" This was said with a deal of real impatience and ahauteur that overtopped the clerk's. 

The film of ice melted into a gracious smile. Some new millionairefrom Pittsburg, thought the clerk. He swung the book around. 

"You have forgotten your place of residence, sir, " he said. 

"Place of residence!"

Warburton looked at the clerk in blank astonishment. Place ofresidence? Why, heaven help him, he had none, none! For the firsttime since he left the Army the knowledge came home to him, and itstruck rather deep. He caught up the pen, poised it an indecisivemoment, then hastily scribbled Paris: as well Paris as anywhere. Thenhe took out his wallet, comfortably packed with English and Frenchbank-notes, and a second wave of astonishment rolled over him. Altogether, it was a rare good chance that he ever came to thesurface again. No plan, no place of residence, no American money!

"Good Lord! I forgot all about exchanging it on shipboard!" heexclaimed. 

"Don't let that trouble you, sir, " said the clerk, with realaffability. "Our own bank will exchange your money in the morning. "

"But I haven't a penny of American money on my person!"

"How much will you need for the evening, sir?"

"Not more than fifty. "

The clerk brought forth a slip of paper, wrote something on it, andhanded it to Warburton. 

"Sign here, " he said, indicating a blank space. 

And presently Mr. Robert, having deposited his foreign money in thesafe, pocketed the receipt for its deposit along with five crispAmerican notes. There is nothing lacking in these modern hostelries, excepting it be a church. 

Our homeless young gentleman lighted a cigar and went out under theportico. An early darkness had settled over the city, and a heavysteady rain was falling. The asphalt pavements glistened and twinkledas far as the eye's range could reach. A thousand lights gleamed downon him, and he seemed to be standing in a canon dappled withfireflies. Place of residence! Neither the fig-tree nor the vine! Didhe lose his money to-morrow, the source of his small income, he wouldbe without a roof over his head. True, his brother's roof wouldalways welcome him: but a roof-tree of his own! And he could layclaim to no city, either, having had the good fortune to be born in ahealthy country town. Place of residence! Truly he had none; amelancholy fact which he had not appreciated till now. And all thishad slipped his mind because of a pair of eyes as heavenly blue as arajah's sapphire!

Hang it, what should he do, now that he was no longer traveling, nowthat his time was no longer Uncle Sam's? He had never till now knownidleness, and the thought of it did not run smoothly with the grain. He was essentially a man of action. There might be some good sportfor a soldier in Venezuela, but that was far away and uncertain. Itwas quite possible Jack, his brother, might find him a post asmilitary attache, perhaps in France, perhaps in Belgium, perhaps inVienna. That was the goal of more than one subaltern. The Englishnovelist is to be blamed for this ambition. But Warburton could speakFrench with a certain fluency, and his German was good enough toswear by; so it will be seen that he had some ground upon which tobuild this ambition. 

Heigho! The old homestead was gone; his sister dwelt under the elderbrother's roof; the prodigal was alone. 

"But there's always a fatted calf waiting in Washington, " he laughedaloud. "Once a soldier, always a soldier. I suppose I'll be beggingthe colonel to have a chat with the president. There doesn't seem tobe any way of getting out of it. I'll have to don the old togs again. I ought to write a letter to Nancy, but it will be finer to drop inon 'em unexpectedly. Bless her heart! (So say I!) And Jack's, too, and his little wife's! And I haven't written a line in eight weeks. But I'll make it all up in ten minutes. And if I haven't a roof-tree, at least I've got the ready cash and can buy one any day. " All ofwhich proves that Mr. Robert possessed a buoyant spirit, and refusedto be downcast for more than one minute at a time. 

He threw away his cigar and reentered the hotel, and threaded his waythrough the appalling labyrinths of corridors till he found some oneto guide him to the barber shop, where he could have his hair cut andhis beard trimmed in the good old American way, money no object. Fora plan had at last come to him; and it wasn't at all bad. Hedetermined to dine at the Holland House at eight-thirty. It was quitepossible that he would see Her. 

My only wish is that, when I put on evening clothes (in my humbleopinion, the homeliest and most uncomfortable garb that man everinvented!) I might look one-quarter as handsome and elegant as Mr. Robert looked, as he came down stairs at eight-ten that night. Hewasn't to be blamed if the women glanced in his direction, and thenwhispered and whispered, and nodded and nodded. Ordinarily he wouldhave observed these signs of feminine approval, for there was warmblood in his veins, and it is proverbial that the Army man isgallant. But to-night Diana and her white huntresses might havepassed him by and not aroused even a flicker of interest or surpriseon his face. There was only one pair of eyes, one face, and to seethese he would have gladly gone to the ends of the earth, travel-weary though he was. 

He smoked feverishly, and was somewhat troubled to find that hehadn't quite got his land legs, as they say. The floor swayed atintervals, and the throbbing of the engines came back. He left thehotel, hailed a cab, and was driven down Fifth Avenue. He stoppedbefore the fortress of privileges. From the cab it looked veryformidable. Worldly as he was, he was somewhat innocent. He did notknow that New York hotels are formidable only when your money givesout. To get past all these brass-buttoned lackeys and to go on asthough he really had business within took no small quantity of nerve. However, he slipped by the outpost without any challenge and boldlyapproached the desk. A quick glance at the register told him thatthey had indeed put up at this hotel. He could not explain why hefelt so happy over his discovery. There are certain exultations whichare inexplicable. As he turned away from the desk, he bumped into agentleman almost as elegantly attired as himself. 

"I beg your pardon!" he cried, stepping aside. 

"What? Mr. _Warrr_burton?"

Mr. Robert, greatly surprised and confused, found himself shakinghands with his ship acquaintance, the Russian. 

"I am very glad to see you again, Count, " said Warburton, recovering. 

"A great pleasure! It is wonderful how small a city is. I had neverexpect' to see you again. Are you stopping here?" I had intended totry to reproduce the Russian's dialect, but one dialect in a book isenough; and we haven't reached the period of its activity. 

"No, I am at the Waldorf. "

"Eh? I have heard all about you millionaires. "

"Oh, we are not all of us millionaires who stop there, " laughedWarburton. "There are some of us who try to make others believe thatwe are. " Then, dropping into passable French, he added: "I came hereto-night with the purpose of dining. Will you do me the honor ofsharing my table?"

"You speak French?"--delighted. "It is wonderful. This English has somany words that mean so many things, that of all languages I speak itwith the least fluency. But it is my deep regret, Monsieur, to refuseyour kind invitation. I am dining with friends. "

"Well, then, breakfast to-morrow at eleven, " Warburton urged, for hehad taken a fancy to this affable Russian. 

"Alas! See how I am placed. I am forced to leave for Washington earlyin the morning. We poor diplomats, we earn our honors. But mybusiness is purely personal in this case, neither political nordiplomatic. " The count drew his gloves thoughtfully through hisfingers. "I shall of course pay my respects to my ambassador. Do Irecollect your saying that you belonged to the United States Army?"

"I recently resigned. My post was in a wild country, with little ornothing to do; monotony and routine. "

"You limp slightly?"

"A trifling mishap, "--modestly. 

"Eh, you do wrong. You may soon be at war with England, and havingresigned your commission, you would lose all you had waited theseyears for. "

Warburton smiled. "We shall not go to war with England. "

"This Army of yours is small. "

"Well, yes; but made of pretty good material--fighting machines withbrains. "

"Ha!" The count laughed softly. "Bah! how I detest all these cars andships! Will you believe me, I had rather my little chateau, myvineyard, and my wheat fields, than all the orders. .. . Eh, well, _my country_: there must be some magic in that phrase. Of allloves, that of country is the most lasting. Is that Balzac? I do notrecall. Only once in a century do we find a man who is willing tobetray his country, and even then he may have for his purpose neitherhate, revenge, nor love of power. " A peculiar gravity sat on hismobile face, caused, perhaps, by some disagreeable inward thought. 

"How long shall you be in Washington?" asked Warburton. 

The count shrugged. "Who can say?"

"I go to Washington myself within a few days. "

"Till we meet again, then, Monsieur. "

The count lifted his hat, a courtesy which was gracefullyacknowledged by the American; while the clerks at the desk eyed withtolerant amusement these polite but rather unfamiliar ceremonies ofdeparture. These foreigners were odd duffers. 

"A very decent chap, " mused Warburton, "and a mighty shrewd hand atpoker--for a foreigner. He is going to Washington: we shall meetagain. I wonder if she's in the restaurant now. "

Meet again? Decidedly; and had clairvoyance shown my hero that nighthow he and the count were to meet again, certainly he would havelaughed. 

If I dared, I should like to say a good deal more about this Russian. But I have no desire to lose my head, politically or physically. Eventhe newsboys are familiar with this great young man's name; and if Ishould disclose it, you would learn a great many things which I haveno desire that you should. One day he is in Paris, another in Berlin, then off to Vienna, to Belgrade, or St. Petersburg, or Washington, orLondon, or Rome. A few months ago, previous to this writing, he wasin Manchuria; and to this very day England and Japan are wonderinghow it happened; not his being there, mind you, but the result. Rich, that is to say independent; unmarried, that is to say unattached;free to come and go, he stood high up in that great army of theczar's, which I call the uncredited diplomatic corps, because thephrase "secret service" always puts into my mind a picture of thewild-eyed, bearded anarchist, whom I most heartily detest. 

What this remarkable diplomatic free-lance did in Washington washonestly done in the interests of his country. A Russ understandshonor in the rough, but he lacks all those delicate shadings whichmake the word honor the highest of all words in the vocabularies ofthe Gaul and the Saxon. And while I do not uphold him in what he did, I can not place much blame at the count's door. Doubtless, in hisplace, and given his cast of mind, I might have done exactly as hedid. Russia never asks how a thing is done, but why it is _not_done. Ah, these Aspasias, these Circes, these Calypsos, theseCleopatras, with their blue, their gray, their amber eyes! I have mydoubts concerning Jonah, but, being a man, I am fully convinced as tothe history of Eve. And yet, the woman in this case was absolutelyinnocent of any guile, unless, a pair of eyes as heavenly blue as arajah's sapphire may be called guile. 

Pardon me this long parenthesis. By this time, no doubt, Mr. Roberthas entered the restaurant We shall follow him rather than thisaimless train of thought. 

Mr. Robert's appetite, for a healthy young man, was strangelyincurious. He searched the menu from top to bottom, and then frombottom to top; nothing excited his palate. Whenever persons entered, he would glance up eagerly, only to feel his heart sink lower andlower. I don't know how many times he was disappointed. The waiterahemmed politely. Warburton, in order to have an excuse to remain, atlength hit upon a partridge and a pint of Chablis. 

Nine o'clock. Was it possible that the colonel and his daughter weredining in their rooms? Perish the possibility! And he looked in vainfor the count. A quarter-past nine. Mr. Robert's anxiety was becomingalmost unendurable. Nine-thirty. He was about to surrender indespair. His partridge lay smoking on his plate, and he was on thepoint of demolishing it, when, behold! they came. The colonel enteredfirst, then his daughter, her hand--on--the--arm--of--the--count!Warburton never fully described to me his feelings at that moment;but, knowing him as I do, I can put together a very, respectablepicture of the chagrin and consternation that sat on his countenance. 

"To think of being nearly six days aboard, " Mr. Robert once bawled atme, wrathfully, "and not to know that that Russian chap knew her!" It_was_ almost incredible that such a thing should happen. 

The three sat down at a table seven times removed from Warburton's. He could see only an adorable profile and the colonel's handsome butcare-worn face. The count sat with his back turned. In that blackevening gown she was simply beyond the power of adjectives. Whatshoulders, what an incomparable throat! Mr. Robert's bird grew cold;the bouquet from his glass fainted and died away. How her facelighted when she laughed, and she laughed frequently! What adelicious curve ran from her lips to her young bosom! But never oncedid she look in his direction. Who invented mirrors, the Egyptians? Ican not say. There were mirrors in the room, but Mr. Robert did notrealize it. He has since confessed to me that he hadn't the slightestidea how much his bird and bottle cost. Of such is love's youngdream! (Do I worry you with all these repetitious details? I amsorry. )

At ten o'clock Miss Annesley rose, and the count escorted her to theelevator, returning almost immediately. He and the colonel drew theirheads together. From time to time the count shrugged, or the colonelshook his head. Again and again the Russian dipped the end of hiscigar into his coffee-cup, which he frequently replenished. 

But for Mr. Robert the gold had turned to gilt, the gorgeous to thegaudy. She was gone. The imagination moves as swiftly as light, leaping from one castle in air to another, and still another. Mr. Robert was the architect of some fine ones, I may safely assure you. And he didn't mind in the least that they tumbled down as rapidly asthey builded: only, the incentive was gone. What the colonel had tosay to the count, or the count to the colonel, was of no interest tohim; so he made an orderly retreat. 

I am not so old as not to appreciate his sleeplessness that night. Some beds are hard, even when made of the softest down. 

In the morning he telephoned to the Holland House. The Annesleys, hewas informed, had departed for parts unknown. The count had leftdirections to forward any possible mail to the Russian Embassy, Washington. Sighs in the _doloroso_; the morning papers andnumerous cigars; a whisky and soda; a game of indifferent billiardswith an affable stranger; another whisky and soda; and a gradualreclamation of Mr. Robert's interest in worldly affairs. 

She was gone. 

IV

A FAMILY REUNION

Warburton had not been in the city of Washington within twelveyears. In the past his furloughs had been spent at his brother'scountry home in Larchmont, out of New York City. Thus, when he leftthe train at the Baltimore and Potomac station, he hadn't theslightest idea where Scott Circle was. He looked around in vain forthe smart cab of the northern metropolis. All he saw was a line ofomnibuses and a few ramshackle vehicles that twenty years back mightvery well have passed for victorias. A grizzled old negro, in commandof one of these sea-going conveyances, caught Warburton's eye andhailed jovially. Our hero (as the good novelists of the pastgeneration would say, taking their readers into their innermostconfidences) handed him his traveling case and stepped in. 

"Whar to, suh?" asked the commodore. 

"Scott Circle, and don't pommel that old nag's bones in trying to getthere. I've plenty of time. "

"I reckon I won't pommel him, suh. Skt! skt!" And the vehicle rattledout into broad Pennsylvania Avenue, but for the confusion andabsurdity of its architectural structures, the handsomestthoroughfare in America. (Some day I am going to carry a bill intoCongress and read it, and become famous as having been the means ofmaking Pennsylvania Avenue the handsomest highway in the world. )

Warburton leaned back luxuriously against the faded horse-haircushion and lighted a cigar, which he smoked with relish, having hada hearty breakfast on the train. It was not quite nine o'clock, and awarm October haze lay on the peaceful city. Here were people who didnot rush madly about in the pursuit of riches. Rather they proceededalong soberly, even leisurely, as if they knew what the day's workwas and the rewards attendant, and were content. Trucks, thoseformidable engines of commerce, neither rumbled nor thundered alongthe pavements, nor congested the thoroughfares. Nobody hurried intothe shops, nobody hurried out. There were no scampering, yellingnewsboys. Instead, along the curbs of the market, sat bareleggednegro boys, some of them selling papers to those who wanted them, andsome sandwiched in between baskets of popcorn and peanuts. There wasa marked scarcity of the progressive, intrusive white boy. Old negromammies passed to and fro with the day's provisions. 

Glancing over his shoulder, Warburton saw the Capitol, shining in thesun like some enchanted palace out of Wonderland. He touched his cap, conscious of a thrill in his spine. And there, far to his left, loomed the Washington monument, glittering like a shaft of opals. Some orderlies dashed by on handsome bays. How splendid they looked, with their blue trousers and broad yellow stripes! This was beforethe Army adopted the comfortable but shabby brown duck. How he longedto throw a leg over the back of a good horse and gallop away into thegreat green country beyond!

In every extraordinary looking gentleman he saw some famed senator orcongressman or diplomat. He was almost positive that he saw thesecretary of war drive by in a neat brougham. The only things whichmoved with the hustling spirit of the times were the cables, anddoubtless these would have gone slower but for the invisible andimmutable power which propelled them. On arriving in New York, one'sfirst thought is of riches; in Washington, of glory. What adifference between this capital and those he had seen abroad! Therewas no militarism here, no conscription, no governmental oppression, no signs of discontent, no officers treading on the rights and thetoes of civilians. 

But now he was passing the huge and dingy magic Treasury Building, round past the Executive Mansion with its spotless white stone, itsstately portico and its plush lawns. 

"Go slow, uncle; I haven't seen this place since I was a boy. "

"Yes, suh. How d' y' like it? Wouldn' y' like t' live in dat house, suh?"--the commodore grinned. 

"One can't stay there long enough to please me, uncle. It takes fouryears to get used to it; and then, when you begin to like it, youhave to pack up and clear out. "

"It's de way dey goes, suh. We go eroun' Lafayette, er do yuh want t'see de Wa' Depa'tment, suh?"

"Never mind now, uncle; Scott Circle. "

"Scott Circle she am, suh. "

The old ark wheeled round Lafayette Square and finally rolled intoSixteenth Street. When at length it came to a stand in front of abeautiful house, Warburton evinced his surprise openly. He knew thathis brother's wife had plenty of money, but not such a plenty as toafford a house like this. 

"Are you sure, uncle, that this is the place?"

"Dere's de Circle, suh, an' yuh can see de numbuh fo' y'se'f, suh. "

"How much do I owe you?"

"I reckon 'bout fifty cents 'll make it, suh. "

Warburton gave him a dollar, marveling at the difference between thecab hire here and in New York. He grasped his case and leaped up thesteps two at a bound, and pressed the bell A prim little maidanswered the call. 

"Does Mr. John Warburton live here?" he asked breathlessly. 

"Yes, sir. "

"Fortunate John!" he cried, pushing past the maid and standing in thehall of his brother's household, unheralded and unannounced. "Jack!"he bawled. 

The maid eyed the handsome intruder, her face expressing the utmostastonishment. She touched his arm. 

"Sir!--" she began. 

"It's all right, my dear, " he interrupted. 

She stepped back, wondering whether to scream or run. 

"Hi, Jack! I say, you old henpecked, where are you?"

The dining-room door slid back and a tall, studious-lookinggentleman, rather plain than otherwise, stood on the threshold. 

"Jane, what is all this--Why, Bob, you scalawag!"--and in a momentthey were pumping hands at a great rate. The little maid leanedweakly against the balustrade. 

"Kit, Kit! I say, Kit, come and see who's here!" cried John. 

An extraordinarily pretty little woman, whose pallor any woman wouldhave understood, but no man on earth, and who was dressed in acharming pink negligee morning-gown, hurried into the hall. 

"Why, it's Bob!" She flung her arms around the prodigal and kissedhim heartily, held him away at arm's length, and hugged and kissedhim again. I'm not sure that Mr. Robert didn't like it. 

Suddenly there was a swish of starched skirts on the stairs, and themost beautiful woman in all the world (and I am always ready to backthis statement with abundant proofs!) rushed down and literally threwherself into Mr. Robert's eager, outstretched arms. 

"Nancy!"

"Bob! Bob! you wicked boy! You almost break our hearts. Not a line intwo months!--How could you!--You might have been dead and we notknow it!"--and she cried on his shoulder. 

"Come now, Nancy; nonsense! You'll start the color running out ofthis tie of mine!" But for all his jesting tone, Mr. Robert felt anembarrassing lump wriggle up and down in his throat. 

"Had your breakfast?" asked the humane and practical brother. 

"Yep. But I shouldn't mind another cup of coffee. "

And thereupon he was hustled into the dining-room and pushed into thebest chair. How the clear women fussed over him, pressed this uponhim and that; fondled and caressed him, just as if the beggar wasworth all this trouble and love and affection!

"Hang it, girls, it's worth being an outlaw to come to this, " hecried. He reached over and patted Nancy on the cheek, and pressed theyoung wife's hand, and smiled pleasantly at his brother. "Jack, youlucky pup, you!"

"Two years, " murmured Nancy; "and we haven't had a glimpse of you intwo long years. "

"Only in photograph, " said the homeless one, putting three lumps ofsugar into his coffee because he was so happy he didn't know what hewas about. 

"And you have turned twenty-eight, " said Kit, counting on herfingers. 

"That makes you twenty-four, Nan, " Jack laughed. 

"And much I care!" replied Nancy, shaking her head defiantly. I've asneaking idea that she was thinking of me when she made thisdeclaration. For if _I_ didn't care, why should she?

"A handsome, stunning girl like you, Nan, ought to be gettingmarried, " observed the prodigal. "What's the matter with all thesedukes and lords and princes, anyhow?"

An embarrassed smile ran around the table, but Mr. Robert missed itby some several inches. 

Jack threw a cigar across the table. "Now, " said he, "where the deucedid you come from?"

"Indirectly from Arizona, which is a synonym, once removed, for war. "

Jack looked at his plate and laughed; but Mrs. Jack wanted to knowwhat Bob meant by that. 

"It's a word used instead of war, as applied by the late GeneralSherman, " Jack replied. "And I am surprised that a brother-in-law ofyours should so far forget himself as to hint it, even. "

Knowing that she could put him through the inquisition later, sheasked my hero how his leg was. 

"It aches a little when it rains; that's about all. "

"And you never let us know anything about it till the thing was allover, " was Nancy's reproach. 

"What's the use of scaring you women?" Robert demanded. "You wouldhave had hysterics and all that. "

"We heard of it quick enough through the newspapers, " said Jack. "Come, give us your own version of the rumpus. "

"Well, the truth is, "--and the prodigal told them his tale. 

"Why, you are a hero!" cried Mrs. Jack, clasping her hands. 

"Hero nothing, " sniffed the elder brother. "He was probably star-gazing or he wouldn't have poked his nose into an ambush. "

"Right you are, brother John, " Robert acknowledged, laughing. 

"And how handsome he has grown, Nancy, " Mrs. Jack added, with anoblique glance at her husband. 

"He does look 'distangy', " that individual admitted. A handsome facealways went through John's cuirass. It was all nonsense, for his wifecould not have adored him more openly had he been the twin to Adonis. But, there you are; a man always wants something he can not have. John wasn't satisfied to be one of the most brilliant young men inWashington; he also wanted to be classed among the handsomest. 

"By the way, Jack, " said my hero, lighting the cigar and blowing thefirst puff toward the ceiling, his face admirably set withnonchalance, "do you know of a family named Annesley--ColonelAnnesley?" I knew it would take only a certain length of time forthis question to arrive. 

"Colonel Annesley? Why, yes. He was in the War Department until ayear or so ago. A fine strategist; knows every in and out of thecoast defenses, and is something of an inventor; lots of money, too. Tall, handsome old fellow?"

"That's the man. A war volunteer?"

"No, a regular. Crippled his gun-fingers in some petty Indian war, and was transferred to the Department. He was a widower, if myrecollection of him is correct; and had a lovely daughter. "

"Ah!" There was great satisfaction evident in this syllable. "Do youknow where the colonel is now?"

"Not the faintest idea. He lived somewhere in Virginia. But he's beenon the travel for several years. "

Robert stirred his coffee and took a spoonful--and dropped the spoon. "Pah! I must have put in a quart of sugar. Can you spare me anothercup?"

"Annesley?" Nancy's face brightened. "Colonel Annesley? Why, I knowBetty Annesley. She was my room-mate at Smith one year. She was in mygraduating class. I'll show you her picture later. She was thedearest girl! How she loved horses! But why are you so interested?"--slyly. 

"I ran across them coming home. "

"Then you met Betty! Isn't she just the loveliest girl you ever saw?"

"I'm for her, one and indivisible. But hang my luck, I never camewithin a mile of an introduction. "

"What? You, and on shipboard where she couldn't get away?" John threwup his hands as a sign that this information had overcome him. 

"Even the captain shied when I approached him, " said Robert, gloomily. 

"I begin to see, " said the brother. 

"See what?"

"Have a match; your cigar has gone out. "

Robert relighted his cigar and puffed like a threshing-machineengine. 

John leaned toward Nancy. "Shall I tell him, Nan?"

Nancy blushed. "I suppose he'll have to know sooner or later. "

"Know what?" asked the third person singular

"Your charming sister is about to bring you a brother-in-law. "

"What?" You could have heard this across the street. 

"Yes, Bobby dear. And don't look so hurt. You don't want me to becomean old maid, do you?"

"When did it happen?"--helplessly. How the thought of his sister'smarrying horrifies a brother! I believe I can tell you why. Everybrother knows that no man is good enough for a good woman. "When didit happen?" Mr. Robert repeated, with a look at his brother, whichsaid that _he_ should be held responsible. 

"Last week. "

Robert took in a long breath, as one does who expects to receive ablow of some sort which can not be warded off, and asked: "Who isit?" Nancy married? What was the world coming to, anyhow?

"Charlie Henderson, "--timidly. 

Then Robert, who had been expecting nothing less than an Englishduke, let loose the flaming ions of his righteous wrath. 

"Chuck Henderson?--that duffer?" (Oh, Mr. Robert, Mr. Robert; andafter all I've done for you!)

"He's not a duffer!" remonstrated Nancy, with a flare in her mildeyes. (How I wish I might have seen her as she defended me!) "He'sthe dearest fellow in the world, and I love him with all my heart!"(How do you like that, Mr. Robert? Bravo, Nancy! I may be a duffer, true enough, but I rather object to its being called out from thehousetops. ) And Nancy added: "I want you to understand distinctly, Robert, that in my selection of a husband you are not to beconsulted. "

This was moving him around some. 

"Hold on, Nan! Drat it, don't look like that! I meant nothing, dearie; only I'm a heap surprised. Chuck _is_ a good fellow, I'll admit; but I've been dreaming of your marrying a prince or anambassador, and Henderson comes like a jolt. Besides, Chuck willnever be anything but a first-rate politician. You'll have to getused to cheap cigars and four-ply whisky. When is it going tohappen?"

"In June. I have always loved him, Bob. And he wants you to be hisbest man. "

Robert appeared a bit mollified at this knowledge. "But what shall Ido after that?" he wailed. "You're the only person I can order about, and now you're going the other side of the range. "

"Bob, why don't you get married yourself?" asked Mrs. Warburton. "With your looks you won't have to go far nor begging for a wife. "

"There's the rub, sister mine by law and the admirable foresight ofmy only brother. What am I good for but ordering rookies about? I'veno business head. And it's my belief that an Army man ought never towed. "

"Marry, my boy, and I'll see what can be done for you in thediplomatic way. The new administration will doubtless be Republican, and my influence will have some weight, "--and John smiledaffectionately across the table. He loved this gay lad opposite, loved him for his own self and because he could always see themother's eyes and lips. "You have reached the age of discretion. Youare now traveled and a fairly good linguist. You've an income offorty-five hundred, and to this I may be able to add a berth worthtwo or three thousand. Find the girl, lad; find the girl. "

"Honestly, I'll think it over, Jack. "

"Oh!"

Three of the quartet turned wonderingly toward Mrs. Jack. 

"What's the matter?" asked Jack. 

"We have forgotten to show Bob the baby!"

"Merciful heavens!" bawled Robert. "A baby? This is the first timeI've heard anything about a baby, "--looking with renewed interest atthe young mother. 

"Do you mean to tell me, John Warburton, that you failed to mentionthe fact in any of your letters?" indignantly demanded Mrs. John. 

"Why--er--didn't I mention it?" asked the perturbed father. 

"Nary a word, nary a word!" Robert got up. "Now, where is thiswonderful he?--or is it a she?"

"Boy, Bob; greatest kid ever. "

And they all trooped up the stairs to the nursery, where Mr. Robertwas forced to admit that, as regarded a three-months-old, this wasthe handsomest little colt he had ever laid eyes on! Mr. Robert evenventured to take the boy up in his arms. 

"How d'ye hold him?" he asked. 

Mrs. John took the smiling cherub, and the manner in which she foldedthat infant across her young breast was a true revelation to theprodigal, who felt his loneliness more than ever. He was a rankoutsider. 

"Jack, you get me that diplomatic post, and I'll see to it that theonly bachelor in the Warburton family shall sleep in yonder cradle. "

"Done!"

"How long is your furlough?" asked Nancy. 

"Whom do you think the baby resembles?" asked the mother. 

"One at a time, one at a time! The baby at present doesn't resembleany one. "

"There's your diplomat!" cried John, with a laugh. 

"And my furlough is for several years, if not longer. "

"What?" This query was general and simultaneous. 

"Yes, I've disbanded. The Army will now go to rack and ruin. I am aplain citizen of the United States. I expect to spend the winter inWashington. "

"The winter!" echoed Jack, mockingly dejected. 

"John!" said his wife. John assumed a meek expression; and Mrs. John, putting the baby in the cradle, turned to her brother-in-law. "Ithought the Army was a hobby with you. "

"It was. I've saved up quite a sum, and I'm going to see a lot offine scenery if my leg doesn't give out. "

"Or your bank account, " supplemented John. 

"Well, or my bank account. "

"Draw on me whenever you want passage out West, " went on thestatesman in chrysalis. 

Whereupon they all laughed; not because John had said anythingparticularly funny, but because there was a good and generous measureof happiness in each heart. 

"Bob, there's a ball at the British embassy tonight. You must go withus. "

"Impossible!" said Robert. "Remember my leg. "

"That will not matter, " said Mrs. John; "you need not dance. "

"What, not dance? I should die of intermittent fever. And if I diddance, my leg might give out. "

"You can ride a horse all right, " said John, in the way of argument. 

"I can do that easily with my knees. But I can't dance with my knees. No, I shall stay at home. I couldn't stand it to see all those famousbeauties, and with me posing as a wall-flower. "

"But what will you do here all alone?"

"Play with the kid, smoke and read; make myself at home. You stillsmoke that Louisiana, Jack?"

"Yes, "--dubiously. 

"So. Now, don't let me interfere with your plans for tonight. Ihaven't been in a home in so long that it will take more than onenight for the novelty to wear off. Besides, that nurse of yours, Kit, is good to look at, "--a bit of the rogue in his eye. 

"Bob!"--from both women. 

"I promise not to look at her; I promise. "

"Well, I must be off, " said John. "I'm late now. I've a dozen plansfor coast defenses to go over with an inventor of a new carriage-gun. Will you go with me, while I put you up at the Metropolitan, or willyou take a shopping trip with the women?"

"I'll take the shopping trip. It will be a sensation. Have you anyhorses?"

"Six. "

"Six! You _are_ a lucky pup: a handsome wife, a bouncing boy, and six horses! Where's the stable?"

"In the rear. I keep only two stablemen; one to take care of thehorses and one to act as groom. I'm off. I've a cracking good hunter, if you'd like a leg up. We'll all ride out to Chevy Chase Sunday. By-by, till lunch. "

Mr. Robert immediately betook himself to the stables, where he soonbecame intimately acquainted with the English groom. He fussed aboutthe harness-room, deplored the lack of a McClelland saddle, admiredthe English curbs, and complimented the men on the cleanliness of thestables. The men exchanged sly smiles at first, but these smiles soonturned into grins of admiration. Here was a man who knew a horse fromhis oiled hoofs to his curried forelock. 

"This fellow ought to jump well, " he said, patting the sleek neck ofthe hunter. 

"He does that, sir, " replied the groom. "He has never taken less thana red ribbon. Only one horse beat him at the bars last winter in NewYork. It was Mr. Warburton's fault that he did not take first prize. He rode him in the park the day before the contest, and the animalcaught a bad cold, sir. "

And then it was that this hero of mine conceived his great (not tosay young and salad) idea. It appealed to him as being so rich anidea that the stables rang with his laughter. 

"Sir?" politely inquired the groom. 

"I'm not laughing at your statement, my good fellow; rather at anidea which just occurred to me. In fact, I believe that I shall needyour assistance. "

"In what way, sir?"

"Come with me. "

The groom followed Warburton into the yard, A conversation began inlow tones. 

"It's as much as my place is worth, sir. I couldn't do it, sir, "declared the groom, shaking his head negatively. 

"I'll guarantee that you will not suffer in the least. My brotherwill not discharge you. He likes a joke as well as I do. You are nothanded twenty dollars every day for a simple thing like this. "

"Very well, sir. I dare say that no harm will come of it. But I am aninch or two shorter than you. "

"We'll tide that over. "

"I am at your orders, sir. " But the groom returned to the stables, shaking his head dubiously. He was not thoroughly convinced. 

During the morning ride down-town the two women were vastly puzzledover their brother's frequent and inexplicable peals of laughter. 

"For mercy's sake, what do you see that is so funny?" asked Nancy. 

"I'm thinking, my dears; only thinking. "

"Tell us, that we may laugh, too. I'll wager that you are up to somemischief, Master Robert. Please tell, " Nancy urged. 

"Later, later; at present you would fail to appreciate the joke. Infact, you might make it miscarry; and that wouldn't do at all. Have alittle patience. It's a good joke, and you'll be in it when the timecomes. "

And nothing more could they worm out of him. 

I shall be pleased to recount to you the quality of this joke, thismadcap idea. You will find it lacking neither amusement nordenouement. Already I have put forth the casual observation that fromParis to the third-precinct police-station in Washington is severalthousand miles. 

V

THE PLOT THICKENS

At dinner that night I met my hero face to face for the first timein eight years, and for all his calling me a duffer (I learned ofthis only recently), he was mighty glad to see me, slapped me on theback and threw his arm across my shoulder. And why shouldn't he havebeen glad? We had been boys together, played hooky many a school-timeafternoon, gone over the same fishing grounds, plunged into the sameswimming-holes, and smoked our first cigar in the rear of my father'sbarn; and it is the recollection of such things that cements all themore strongly friendship in man and man. We recalled a thousandepisodes and escapades, the lickings we got, and the lickings othersgot in our stead, the pretty school-teacher whom we swore to wed whenwe grew up. Nobody else had a chance to get a word in edgewise. ButNancy laughed aloud at times. She had been a witness to many of theselong-ago pranks. 

"What! you are not going to the ball?" I asked, observing that hewore only a dinner-coat and a pair of morocco slippers. 

"No ball for me. Just as soon as you people hie forth, off comes thisb'iled shirt, and I shall probably meander around the house in my newsilk pajamas. I shall read a little from Homer--Jack, let me havethe key to that locked case; I've an idea that there must be somerobust old, merry old tales hidden there--and smoke a few pipes. "

"But you are not going to leave Mrs. Warburton and your sister tocome home without escort?" I expostulated. 

"Where the deuce are you two men going?" Robert asked, surprised. Somehow, I seemed to catch a joyful rather than a sorrowful note inhis tones. 

"An important conference at midnight, and heaven only knows how longit may last, " said Jack. "I wish you would go along, Bob. "

"He can't go now, anyhow, " said the pretty little wife. "He has gotto stay now, whether he will or no. William will see to it that wewomen get home all right, "--and she busied herself with the saladdishes. 

Suddenly I caught Robert's eye, and we stared hard at each other. 

"Chuck, you old pirate, " he said presently, "what do you mean bycoming around and making love to my sister, and getting her topromise to marry you? You know you aren't good enough for her. "

I confess to no small embarrassment. "I--I know it!"

"What do you mean by it, then?"

"Why--er--that is--Confound you, Bob, _I_ couldn't help it, andbesides, I didn't _want_ to help it! And if you want to have itout--"

"Oh, pshaw! You know just as well as I do that it is against the lawto hit a man that wears glasses. We'll call it quits if you'llpromise that in the days to come you'll let me hang around yourhymeneal shack once in a while. "

"Why, if you put it that way!"--and we were laughing and shakinghands again across the table, much to the relief of all concerned. 

Dear Nan! I'm not afraid to let the whole world see how much I loveyou. For where exists man's strength if not in the pride of his love?

"What time does the kid get to sleep?" asked Robert. 

"He ought to be asleep now, " said Mrs. W. "We shall not reach theembassy until after ten. We have a reception first, and we must leavecards there. Won't you be lonesome here, Bobby?"

"Not the least in the world;"--and Bobby began to laugh. 

"What's the joke?" I asked. 

He looked at me sharply, then shook his head. "I'll tell you allabout it to-morrow, Chuck. It's the kind of joke that has to boil along time before it gets tender enough to serve. "

"I'd give a good deal to know what is going on behind those eyes ofyours, Bob. " Nancy's eyes searched him ruthlessly, but she might justas well have tried to pierce a stone wall. "You have been laughingall day about something, and I'd like to know what about. It'smischief. I haven't known you all these years for nothing. Now, don'tdo anything silly, Bob. "

"Nancy, "--reproachfully--"I am a man almost thirty; I have passed theRubicon of cutting up tricks. Go to the ball, you beauty, dance andrevel to your heart's content; your brother Robert will manage topass away the evening. Don't forget the key to that private case, Jack, "--as the women left the table to put the finishing touches totheir toilets. 

"Here you are, " said Jack. "But mind, you must put those books backjust as you found them, and lock the case. They are rare editions. "

"With the accent on the _rare_, no doubt. "

"I am a student, pure and simple, " said Jack, lowering his eyes. 

"I wouldn't swear to those adjectives, " returned the scalawag. "If Iremember, you had the reputation of being a high-jinks man in yourclass at Princeton. "

"Sh! Don't you dare to drag forth any of those fool corpses ofcollege, or out you go, bag and baggage. " Jack glanced nervouslyaround the room and toward the hall. 

"My dear fellow, your wife wouldn't believe me, no matter what I saidagainst your character. Isn't that right, Chuck? Jack, you are alucky dog, if there ever was one. A handsome wife who loves you, akid, a fine home, and plenty of horses. I wonder if you married herfor her money?"

Jack's eyes narrowed. He seemed to muse. "Yes, I believe I can do itas easily as I did fifteen years ago. "

"Do what?" I asked. 

"Wallop that kid brother of mine. Bob, I hope you'll fall desperatelyin love some day, and that you will have a devil of a time winningthe girl. You need something to stir up your vitals. By George! and Ihope she won't have a cent of money. "

"Lovable brother, that!" Bob knocked the ash from his cigar andessayed at laughter which wasn't particularly felicitous. "SupposingI was in love, new, and that the girl had heaps of money, and allthat?"

"_And all that_, " mimicked the elder brother. "What does 'andall that' mean?"

"Oh, shut up!"

"Well, I hope you _are_ in love. It serves you right. You'vemade more than one girl's heart ache, you good-looking ruffian!"

Then we switched over to politics, and Robert became an interestedlistener. Quarter of an hour later the women returned, and certainlythey made a picture which was most satisfactory to the masculine eye. Ah, thou eager-fingered Time, that shall, in days to come, wither theroses in my beauty's cheeks, dim the fire in my beauty's eyes, drawmy beauty's bow-lips inward, tarnish the golden hair, and gnarl theslender, shapely fingers, little shall I heed you in your passing ifyou but leave the heart untouched!

Bob jumped to his feet and kissed them both, a thing I lacked thecourage to do. How pleased they looked! How a woman loves flatteryfrom those she loves!

Well, William is in front with the carriage; the women are putting ontheir cloaks, and I am admiring the luxurious crimson fur-linedgarment which brother Robert had sent to Nancy from Paris. You willsee by this that he was not altogether a thoughtless lad. Good-by, Mr. Robert; I leave you and your guiding-star to bolt the establishedorbit; for after this night the world will never be the samecareless, happy-go-lucky world. The farce has its tragedy, and whattragedy is free of the ludificatory? Youth must run its course, evenas the gay, wild brook must riot on its way to join the sober river. 

I dare say that we hadn't been gone twenty minutes before Robertstole out to the stables, only to return immediately with a bundleunder his arm and a white felt hat perched rakishly on his head. Hewas chuckling audibly to himself. 

"It will frighten the girls half to death. A gray horse and a bay;oh, I won't make any mistake. Let me see; I'll start about twelveo'clock. That'll get me on the spot just as the boys leave. This isthe richest yet. I'll wager that there will be some tall screaming. "He continued chuckling as he helped himself to his brother'sperfectos and fine old Scotch. I don't know what book he found in theprivate case; some old rascal's merry tales, no doubt; for my hero'sface was never in repose. 

We had left Mrs. Secretary-of-the-Interior's and were entering thered brick mansion on Connecticut Avenue. Carriages lined both sidesof the street, and mounted police patrolled up and down. 

"I do hope Bob will not wake up the baby, " said Mrs. W. 

"Probably he won't even take the trouble to look at him, " repliedJack; "not if he gets into that private case of mine. "

"I can't understand what you men see in those horrid chronicles, "Nancy declared. 

"My dear girl, " said Jack, "in those days there were no historians;they were simply story-tellers, and we get our history from thesetales. The tales themselves are not very lofty, I am willing toadmit; but they give us a general idea of the times in which thecharacters lived. This is called literature by the wise critics. "

"Critics!" said I; "humph! Criticism is always a lazy man's job. Whenno two critics think alike, of what use is criticism?"

"Ah, yes; I forgot. That book of essays you wrote got several sounddrubbings. Nevertheless, " continued Jack, "what you offer is in themain true. Time alone is the true critic. Let him put his mark ofapproval on your work, and not all the critical words can bury it orhinder its light. But Time does not pass his opinion till long afterone is dead. The first waltz, dearest, if you think you can stand it. You mustn't get tired, little mother. "

"I am wonderfully strong to-night, " said the little mother. "Howbeautifully it is arranged!"

"What?" we men asked, looking over the rooms. 

"The figures on Mrs. Secretary-of-State's gown. The lace isbeautiful. Your brother. Nan, has very good taste for a man. Thatcloak of yours is by far the handsomest thing I have seen to-night;and that bit of scarf he sent me isn't to be matched. "

"Poor boy!" sighed Nancy. "I wonder if he'll be lonely. It's a shameto leave him home the very first night. "

"Why didn't he come, then?" Mrs. W. Shrugged her polished shoulders. 

"Oh, my cigars and Scotch are fairly comforting, " put in Jack, complacently. "Besides, Jane Isn't at all bad looking, "--winking atme. "What do you say, Charlie?"

But Charlie had no time to answer. The gray-haired, gray-whiskeredambassador was bowing pleasantly to us. A dozen notable military andnaval attaches nodded; and we passed on to the ball-room, where theorchestra was playing _A Summer Night in Munich_. In a momentJack and his wife were lost in the maze of gleaming shoulders andwhite linen. It was a picture such as few men, once having witnessedit, can forget. Here were the great men in the great world: this manwas an old rear-admiral, destined to become the nation's hero soon;there, a famous general, of long and splendid service; celebratedstatesmen, diplomats, financiers; a noted English duke; a scion ofthe Hapsburg family; an intimate of the German kaiser; a swart Jap; aChinaman with his peacock feather; tens of men whose lightest wordwas listened to by the four ends of the world; representatives of allthe great kingdoms and states. The President and his handsome wifehad just left as we came, so we missed that formality, which detractsfrom the pleasures of the ball-room. 

"Who is that handsome young fellow over there, standing at the sideof the Russian ambassador's wife?" asked Nancy, pressing my arm. 

"Where? Oh, he's Count Karloff (or something which sounds like it), awealthy Russian, in some way connected with the Russian government; adiplomat and a capital fellow, they say. I have never met him. . .. Hello! there's a stunning girl right next to him that I haven't seenbefore. . .. Where are you going?"

Nancy had dropped my arm and was gliding kitty-corner fashion, acrossthe floor. Presently she and the stunning girl had saluted each otherafter the impulsive fashion of American girls, and were playing cat-in-the-cradle, to the amusement of those foreigners nearest. A nod, and I was threading my way to Nancy's side. 

"Isn't it glorious?" she began. "This is Miss Annesley, Charlie;Betty, Mr. Henderson. " Miss Annesley looked mildly curious at Nan, who suddenly flushed. "We are to be married in the spring, " sheexplained shyly; and I dare say that there was a diffident expressionon my own face. 

Miss Annesley gave me her hand, smiling. "You are a very fortunateman, Mr. Henderson. "

"Not the shadow of a doubt!" Miss Annesley, I frankly admitted on thespot, was, next to Nancy, the handsomest girl I ever saw; and as Ithought of Mr. Robert in his den at home, I sincerely pitied him. Iwas willing to advance the statement that had he known, a pair ofcrutches would not have kept him away from No. 1300 ConnecticutAvenue. 

I found three chairs, and we sat down. There was, for me, very littleopportunity to talk. Women always have so much to say to each other, even when they haven't seen each other within twenty-four hours. Fromtime to time Miss Annesley glanced at me, and I am positive thatNancy was extolling my charms. It was rather embarrassing, and I wasballing my gloves up in a most dreadful fashion. As they seldomaddressed a word to me, I soon became absorbed in the passing scene. I was presently aroused, however. 

"Mr. Henderson, Count Karloff, " Miss Annesley was saying. (Karloff isa name of my own choosing. I haven't the remotest idea if it meansanything in the Russian language. I hope not. )

"Charmed!" The count's r's were very pleasantly rolled. I could seeby the way his gaze roved from Miss Annesley to Nancy that he waspuzzled to decide which came the nearer to his ideal of womanhood. 

I found him a most engaging fellow, surprisingly well-informed onAmerican topics. I credit myself with being a fairly good reader offaces, and, reading his as he bent it in Miss Annesley's direction, Ibegan to worry about Mr. Robert's course of true love. Here was a manwho possessed a title, was handsome, rich, and of assured socialposition: it would take an extraordinary American girl to look coldlyupon his attentions. By and by the two left us, Miss Annesleypromising to call on Nancy. 

"And where are you staying, Betty?"

"Father and I have taken Senator Blank's house in Chevy Chase for thewinter. My horses are already in the stables. Do you ride?"

"I do. "

"Then we shall have some great times together. "

"Be sure to call. I want you to meet my brother. "

"I believe I have, " replied Miss Annesley. 

"I mean my younger brother, a lieutenant in the Army. "

"Oh, then you have two brothers?"

"Yes, " said Nancy. 

"The dance is dying, Mademoiselle, " said the count in French. 

"Your arm, Monsieur. _Au revoir, _ Nancy. "

"Poor Bobby!" Nancy folded her hands and sighed mournfully. "Itappears to me that his love affair is not going to run very smooth. But isn't she just beautiful, Charlie? What color, what style!"

"She's a stunner, I'm forced to admit. Bob'll never stand a ghost ofa show against that Russian. He's a great social catch, and is backedby many kopecks. "

"How unfortunate we did not know that she would be here! Bobby wouldhave met her at his best, and his best is more to my liking than thecount's. He has a way about him that the women like. He's no laggard. But money ought not to count with Betty. She is worth at least aquarter of a million. Her mother left all her property to her, andher father acts only as trustee. Senator Blank's house rents foreight thousand the season. It's ready furnished, you know, and one ofthe handsomest homes in Washington. Besides, I do not trust thoseforeigners, "--taking a remarkably abrupt curve, as it were. 

[Illustration: "What were you doing off your own box?" "Getting onthe wrong box"--Act I. ]

"There's two Bs in your bonnet, Nancy, " I laughed. 

"Never mind the Bs; let us have the last of this waltz. "

This is not my own true story; so I shall bow off and permit my heroto follow the course of true love, which is about as rough-going athoroughfare as the many roads of life have to offer. 

VI

THE MAN ON THE BOX

At eleven-thirty he locked up his book and took to his room themysterious bundle which he had purloined from the stables. Itcontained the complete livery of a groom. The clothes fitted rathersnugly, especially across the shoulders. He stood before the pier-glass, and a complacent (not to say roguish) smile flitted across hisface. The black half-boots, the white doeskin breeches, the brownbrass-buttoned frock, and the white hat with the brown cockade. . .. Well, my word for it, he was the handsomest jehu Washington everturned out. With a grin he touched his hat to the reflection in theglass, and burst out laughing. His face was as smooth as a baby's, for he had generously sacrificed his beard. 

I can hear him saying to himself: "Lord, but this is a lark! I'llhave to take another Scotch to screw up the edge of my nerve. Won'tthe boys laugh when they hear how I stirred the girls' frizzes! We'llhave a little party here when they all get home. It's a good joke. "

Mr. Robert did not prove much of a prophet. Many days were to passere he reentered his brother's house. 

He stole quietly from the place. He hadn't proceeded more than ablock when he became aware of the fact that he hadn't a penny in hisclothes. This discovery disquieted him, and he half turned about togo back. He couldn't go back. He had no key. 

"Pshaw! I won't need any money;"--and he started off again towardConnecticut Avenue. He dared not hail a car, and he would not havedared had he possessed the fare. Some one might recognize him. Hewalked briskly for ten minutes. The humor of the escapade appealed tohim greatly, and he had all he could do to smother the frequentbursts of laughter which surged to his lips. He reached absently forhis cigar-case. No money, no cigars. 

"That's bad. Without a cigar I'm likely to get nervous. Scraping offthat beard made me forgetful. Jove! with these fleshings I feel asself-conscious as an untried chorus girl. These togs can't be verywarm in winter. Ha! that must be the embassy where all those lightsare; carriages. _Allons!_"

To make positive, he stopped a pedestrian. 

"Pardon me, sir, " he said, touching his hat, "but will you be so kindas to inform me if yonder is the British embassy?"

"It is, my man, " replied the gentleman. 

"Thank you, sir. "

And each passed on to his affairs. 

"Now for William; we must find William, or the joke will be onRobert. "

He manoeuvered his way through the congested thoroughfare, searchingthe faces of the grooms and footmen. He dodged hither and thither, and was once brought to a halt by the mounted police. 

"Here, you! What d'ye mean by runnin' around like this? Lost yercarriage, hey? I've a mind to run ye in. Y' know th' rules relatin'th' leavin' of yer box in times like these. Been takin' a sly nip, probably, an' they've sent yer hack down a peg. Get a gait on y', now. "

Warburton laughed silently as he made for the sidewalk. The first manhe plumped into was William--a very much worried William, too. Robertcould have fallen on his neck for joy. All was plain sailing now. 

"I'm very glad to see you, sir, " said William. "I was afraid youcould not get them clothes on, sir. I was getting a trifle worried, too. Here's the carriage number. "

Warburton glanced hastily at it and stuffed it into a convenientpocket. 

"It's sixteen carriages up, sir; a bay and a gray. You can't missthem. The bay, being a saddle-horse, is a bit restive in the harness;but all you have to do is to touch him with the whip. And don't tryto push ahead of your turn, or you will get into trouble with thepolice. They are very strict. And don't let them confuse you, sir. The numbers won't be in rotation. You'll hear one hundred andfifteen, and the next moment thirty-five, like as not. It's allaccording as to how the guests are leaving. Good luck to you, sir, and don't forget to explain it all thoroughly to Mr. Warburton, sir. "

"Don't you worry, William; we'll come out of this with colorsflying. "

"Very well, sir. I shall hang around till you are safely off, "--andWilliam disappeared. 

Warburton could occasionally hear the faint strains of music. Fromtime to time the carriage-caller bawled out a number, and thecarriage would roll up under the porte-cochere. Warburton concludedthat it would be a good plan to hunt up his rig. His search did notlast long. The bay and the gray stood only a little way from thegate. The box was vacant, and he climbed up and gathered the reins. He sat there for some time, longing intensely for a cigar, a goodcigar, such as gentlemen smoked. 

"Seventeen!" came hoarsely along on the wings of the night. "Numberseventeen, and lively there!"

Warburton's pulse doubled its beat. His number!

"Skt!" The gray and the bay started forward, took the half-circle andstopped under the porte-cochere. Warburton recollected that afashionable groom never turned his head unless spoken to; so heleveled his gaze at his horses' ears and waited. But from the verycorner of his eye he caught the glimpse of two women, one of whom wasenveloped in a crimson cloak. He thrilled with exultation. What ajoke it was! He felt the carriage list as the women stepped in. Thedoor slammed to, and the rare good joke was on the way. 

"Off with you!" cried the pompous footman, with an imperious wave ofthe hand. "Number ninety-nine!"

"Ninety-nine! Ninety-nine!" bawled the carriage man. 

Our jehu turned into the avenue, holding a tolerable rein. He cluckedand lightly touched the horses with the lash. _This_ was truesport; _this_ was humor, genuine, initiative, unforced. He couldimagine the girls and their fright when he finally slowed down, opened the door, and kissed them both. Wouldn't they let out a yell, though? His plan was to drive furiously for half a dozen blocks, zigzag from one side of the street to the other, taking the cornerssharply, and then make for Scott Circle. 

Now, a lad of six can tell the difference between seventeen andseventy-one. But this astonishing jehu of mine had been conspicuousas the worst mathematician and the best soldier in his class at WestPoint. No more did he remember that he was not in the wild West, andthat here in the East there were laws prohibiting reckless driving. 

He drove decently enough till he struck Dupont Circle. From here heturned into New Hampshire, thinking it to be Rhode Island. Mistakenumber two. He had studied the city map, but he was conscious of notknowing it as well as he should have known it; but, true to hisnature, he trusted to luck. 

Aside from all this, he forgot that a woman might appreciate thisjoke only when she heard it recounted. To live through it wasaltogether a different matter. In an episode like this, a woman'simagination, given the darkness such as usually fills a carriage atnight, becomes a round of terrors. Every moment is freighted withdeath or disfigurement. Her nerves are like the taut strings of aharp in a wintry wind, ready to snap at any moment; and then, hysteria. With man the play, and only the play, is the thing. 

Snap-crack! The surprised horses, sensitive and quick-tempered as allhighly organized beings are, nearly leaped out of the harness. Neverbefore had their flanks received a more unwarranted stroke of thelash. They reared and plunged, and broke into a mad gallop, which wasexactly what the rascal on the box desired. An expert horseman, hegauged the strength of the animals the moment they bolted, and heknew that they were his. Once the rubber-tired vehicle slid sidewiseon the wet asphalt, and he heard a stifled scream. 

He laughed, and let forth a sounding "whoop, " which nowise allayedthe fright of the women inside the carriage. He wheeled into SStreet, scraping the curb as he did so. Pedestrians stopped andstared after him. A policeman waved his club helplessly, evenhopelessly. On, on: to Warburton's mind this ride was as wild as thatwhich the Bishop of Vannes took from Belle-Isle to Paris in theuseless effort to save Fouquet from the wrath of Louis XIV, and toanticipate the pregnant discoveries of one D'Artagnan. The screamswere renewed. A hand beat against the forward window and a muffledbut wrathful voice called forth a command to stop. This voice wasimmediately drowned by another's prolonged scream. Our jehu began tofind all this very interesting, very exciting. 

"I'll wager a dollar that Nan isn't doing that screaming. TheWarburtons never cry out when they are frightened. Hang it!"--suddenly; "this street doesn't look familiar. I ought to have reachedScott Circle by this time. Ah! here's a broader street, "--goinglickety-clip into Vermont. 

A glass went jingling to the pavement. 

"Oho! Nancy will be jumping out the next thing. This will never do. "He began to draw in. 

Hark! His trained trooper's ear heard other hoofs beating on theiron-like surface of the pavement. Worriedly he turned his head. Fiveblocks away there flashed under one of the arc-lights, only todisappear in the shadow again, two mounted policemen. 

"By George! it looks as if the girls were going to have their fun, too!" He laughed, but there was a nervous catch in his voice. Hehadn't counted on any policeman taking part in the comedy. "Where thedevil _is_ Scott Circle, anyhow?"--fretfully. He tugged at thereins. "Best draw up at the next corner. I'll be hanged if _I_know where I am. "

He braced himself, sawed with the reins, and presently the frightenedand somewhat wearied horses slowed down into a trot. This he finallybrought to a walk. One more pull, and they came to a stand. It wouldbe hard to say which breathed the heaviest, the man or the horses. Warburton leaped from the box, opened the door and waited. Herecognized the necessity of finishing the play before the mountedpolice arrived on the scene. 

There was a commotion inside the carriage, then a woman in a crimsoncloak stepped (no, jumped!) out. Mr. Robert threw his arms around herand kissed her cheek. 

"You . .. Vile . .. Wretch!"

Warburton sprang back, his hands applied to his stinging face. 

"You drunken wretch, how dare you!"

"Nan, it's only I--" he stammered. 

"Nan!" exclaimed the young woman, as her companion joined her. Thelight from the corner disclosed the speaker's wrathful features, disdainful lips, palpitating nostrils, eyes darting terrible glances. "Nan! Do you think, ruffian, that you are driving serving-maids?"

"Good Lord!" Warburton stepped back still farther; stepped backspeechless, benumbed, terror-struck. The woman he was gazing at wasanybody in the world but his sister Nancy!

VII

A POLICE AFFAIR

"Officers, arrest this fellow!" commanded the young woman. Hergesture was Didoesque in its wrath. 

"That we will, ma'am!" cried one of the policemen, flinging himselffrom his horse. "So it's you, me gay buck? Thirty days fer you, an'mebbe more. I didn't like yer looks from th' start. You're workingsome kind of a trick. What complaint, ma'am?"

"Drunkenness and abduction, "--rubbing the burning spot on her cheek. 

"That'll be rather serious. Ye'll have to appear against him in th'mornin', ma'am. "

"I certainly shall do so. " She promptly gave her name, address andtelephone number. 

"Bill, you drive th' ladies home an' I'll see this bucko to th'station. Here, you!"--to Warburton, who was still dumb withastonishment at the extraordinary denouement to his innocent joke. "Git on that horse, an' lively, too, or I'll rap ye with th' club. "

"It's all a mistake, officer--"

"Close yer face an' git on that horse. Y' can tell th' judge all thatin th' mornin'. _I_ ain't got no time t' listen. Bill, reportjust as soon as ye see th' ladies home. Now, off with ye. Th'ladies'll be wantin' somethin' t' quiet their nerves. Git on thathorse, me frisky groom; hustle!" Warburton mechanically climbed intothe saddle. It never occurred to him to parley, to say that hecouldn't ride a horse. The inventive cells of his usually fertilebrain lay passive. "Now, " went on the officer, mounting his own nag, "will ye go quietly? If ye don't I'll plug ye in th' leg with a chunko' lead. I won't stan' no nonsense. "

"What are you going to do with me?" asked Warburton, with a desperateeffort to collect his energies. 

"Lock ye up; mebbe throw a pail of water on that overheated cocoanutof yours. "

"But if you'll only let me explain to you! It's all a joke; I got thewrong carriage--"

"Marines, marines! D' ye think I was born yestiddy? Ye wanted th'ladies' sparklers, or I'm a doughhead. " The police are the same allover the world; the original idea sticks to them, and truth in voiceor presence is but sign of deeper cunning and villainy. "Anyhow, yecan't run around Washington like ye do in England, me cockney. Yecan't drive more'n a hundred miles an hour on these pavements. "

"But, I tell you--" Warburton, realizing where his escapade was aboutto lead him, grew desperate. The ignominy of it! He would be thelaughing-stock of all the town on the morrow. The papers would teemwith it. "You'll find that you are making a great mistake. If youwill only take me to--Scott Circle--"

"Where ye have a pal with a gun, eh? Git ahead!" And the two made offtoward the west. 

Once or twice the officer found himself admiring the easy seat of hisprisoner; and if the horse had been anything but a trained animal, hewould have worried some regarding the ultimate arrival at the third-precinct. 

Half a dozen times Warburton was of a mind to make a bolt for it, buthe did not dare trust the horse or his knowledge of the streets. Hehad already two counts against him, disorderly conduct and abduction, and he had no desire to add uselessly a third, that of resisting anofficer, which seems the greatest possible crime a man can commit andescape hanging. Oh, for a mettlesome nag! There would be no police-station for him, then. Police-station! Heavens, what should he do?His brother, his sister; their dismay, their shame; not counting thathe himself would be laughed at from one end of the continent to theother. What an ass he had made of himself! He wondered how much moneyit would take to clear himself, and at the same moment recollectedthat he hadn't a cent in his clothes. A sweat of terror moistened hisbrow. 

"What were ye up to, anyway?" asked the policeman. "What kind ofbooze have ye been samplin'?"

"I've nothing to say. "

"Ye speak clear enough. So much th' worse, if ye ain't drunk. Was yecrazy t' ride like that? Ye might have killed th' women an' had abill of manslaughter brought against ye. "

"I have nothing to say; it is all a mistake. I got the wrong numberand the wrong carriage. "

"Th' devil ye did! An' where was ye goin' t' drive th' other carriageat that thunderin' rate? It won't wash. His honor'll be stone-deafwhen ye tell him that. You're drunk, or have been. "

"Not to-night. "

"Well, I'd give me night off t' know what ye were up to. Don't yeknow nothin' about ordinances an' laws? An' I wouldn't mind havin' yetell me why ye threw yer arms around th' lady an' kissed her, "--shrewdly. 

Warburton started in his saddle. He had forgotten all about that partof the episode. His blood warmed suddenly and his cheeks burned. Hehad kissed her, kissed her soundly, too, the most radiantly beautifulwoman in all the world. Why, come to think of it, it was easily wortha night in jail. Yes, by George, he _had_ kissed her, kissedthat blooming cheek, and but for this policeman, would haveforgotten! Whatever happened to him, she wouldn't forget in a hurry. He laughed. The policeman gazed at him in pained surprise. 

"Well, ye seem t' take it good an' hearty. "

"If you could only see the humor in it, my friend, you'd laugh, too. "

"Oh, I would, hey? All I got t' say is that yer nerve gits me. An' yestand a pretty good show of bein' rounded up for more'n thirty days, too. Well, ye've had yer joke; mebbe ye have th' price t' pay th'fiddler. Turn here. "

The rest of the ride was in silence, Warburton gazing callously aheadand the officer watching him with a wary eye to observe anysuggestive movement. He couldn't make out this chap. There wassomething wrong, some deep-dyed villainy--of this he hadn't theslightest doubt. It was them high-toned swells that was the craftiestan' most daring. Handsome is that handsome does. A quarter of an hourlater they arrived at the third precinct, where our jehu wasregistered for the night under the name of James Osborne. He washustled into a small cell and left to himself. 

He had kissed her! Glory of glories! He had pressed her to his veryheart, besides. After all, they couldn't do anything very serious tohim. They could not prove the charge of abduction. He stretchedhimself on the cot, smiled, arranged his legs comfortably, wonderedwhat she was thinking of at this moment, and fell asleep. It was asign of a good constitution and a decently white conscience. And thusthey found him in the morning. They touched his arm, and he awokewith a smile, the truest indication of a man's amiability. At firsthe was puzzled as he looked blinkingly from his jailers to hissurroundings and then back at his jailers. Then it all returned tohim, and he laughed. Now the law, as represented and upheld by itspetty officers, possesses a dignity that is instantly ruffled by thesound of laughter from a prisoner; and Mr. Robert was roughly told toshut up, and that he'd soon laugh on the other side of his mouth. 

"All right, officers, all right; only make allowances for a man whosees the funny side of things. " Warburton stood up and shook himself, and picked up his white hat. They eyed him intelligently. In themorning light the young fellow didn't appear to be such a rascal. Itwas plainly evident that he had _not_ been drunk the precedingnight; for his eyes were not shot with red veins nor did his lipslack their usual healthy moisture. The officer who had taken him incharge, being a shrewd and trained observer, noted the white hands, soft and well-kept. He shook his head. 

"Look here, me lad, you're no groom, not by several years. Now, whatth' devil was ye up to, anyway?"

"I'm not saying a word, sir, " smiled Warburton. "All I want to knowis, am I to have any breakfast? I shouldn't mind some peaches andcream or grapes to start with, and a small steak and coffee. "

"Ye wouldn't mind, hey?" mimicked the officer. "What d'ye think thisplace is, th' Metropolitan Club? Ye'll have yer bacon an' coffee, an'be glad t' git it. They'll feed ye in th' mess-room. Come along. "

Warburton took his time over the coffee and bacon. He wanted to thinkout a reasonable defense without unmasking himself. He was thinkinghow he could get word to me, too. The "duffer" might prove a friendin need. 

"Now where?" asked Warburton, wiping his mouth. 

"T' th' court. It'll go hard with ye if ye're handed over t' th'grand jury on th' charge of abduction. Ye'd better make a cleanbreast of it. I'll speak a word for yer behavior. "

"Aren't you a little curious?"

"It's a part of me business, "--gruffly. 

"I'll have my say to the judge, " said Warburton. 

"That's yer own affair. Come. "

Once outside, Warburton lost color and a large part of hisnonchalance; for an open patrol stood at the curb. 

"Have I got to ride in that?"--disgustedly. 

"As true as life; an' if ye make any disturbance, so much th' worse. "

Warburton climbed in, his face red with shame and anger. He tied hishandkerchief around his chin and tilted his hat far down over hiseyes. 

"'Fraid of meetin' some of yer swell friends, hey? Ten t' one, yer aswell an' was runnin' away with th' wrong woman. Mind, I have an eyeon ye. "

The patrol rumbled over the asphalt on the way down-town. Warburtonburied his face in his hands. Several times they passed a cigar-store, and his mouth watered for a good cigar, the taste of a clearHavana. 

He entered the police-court, not lacking in curiosity. It was hisfirst experience with this arm of the civil law. He wasn't sure thathe liked it. It wasn't an inviting place with its bare benches andits motley, tawdry throng. He was plumped into a seat between someladies of irregular habits, and the stale odor of intoxicants, mingling with cheap perfumery, took away the edge of his curiosity. 

"Hello, pretty boy; jag?" asked one of these faded beauties, in anundertone. She nudged him with her elbow. 

"No, sweetheart, " he replied, smiling in spite of himself. 

"Ah gowan! Been pinching some one's wad?"

"Nope!"

"What are you here for, then?"

"Having a good time without anybody's consent. If you will listen, you will soon hear all about it. "

"Silence there, on the bench!" bawled the clerk, whacking the desk. 

"Say, Marie, " whispered the woman to her nearest neighbor, "here's aboy been selling his master's harness and got pinched. "

"But look at the sweet things coming in, will you! Ain't they swell, though?" whispered Marie, nodding a skinny feather toward the door. 

Warburton glanced indifferently in the direction indicated, andreceived a shock. Two women--and both wore very heavy black veils. The smaller of the two inclined her body, and he was sure that herscrutiny was for him. He saw her say something into the ear of thecompanion, and repeat it to one of the court lawyers. The lawyerapproached the desk, and in his turn whispered a few words into thejudge's ear. The magistrate nodded. Warburton was conscious of ablush of shame. This was a nice position for any respectable woman tosee him in!

"James Osborne!" called the clerk. 

An officer beckoned to James, and he made his way to the prisoner'sbox. His honor looked him over coldly. 

"Name?"

"James Osborne. "

"Born here?"

"No. "

"Say 'sir'. "

"No, sir. "

"Where were you born?"

"In New York State. "

"How old are you? And don't forget to say 'sir' when you reply to myquestions. "

"I am twenty-eight, sir. "

"Married?"

"No, sir. "

"How long have you been engaged as a groom?"

"Not very long, sir. "

"How long?"

"Less than twenty-four hours, sir. "

Surprise rippled over the faces of the audience on the benches. 

"Humph! You are charged with disorderly conduct, reckless driving, and attempted abduction. The last charge has been withdrawn, fortunately for you, sir. Have you ever been up before?"

"Up, sir?"

"A prisoner in a police-court. "

"No, sir. "

"Twenty-five for reckless driving and ten for disorderly conduct; orthirty days. "

"Your Honor, the horses ran away. "

"Yes, urged by your whip. "

"I was not disorderly, sir. "

"The officer declares that you had been drinking. "

"Your Honor, I got the wrong carriage. My number was seventeen and Ianswered to number seventy-one. " He wondered if _she_ wouldbelieve this statement. 

"I suppose that fully explains why you made a race-track of one ofour main thoroughfares?"--sarcastically. "You were on the wrongcarriage to begin with. "

"All I can say, sir, is that it was a mistake. "

"The mistake came in when you left your carriage to get a drink. Youbroke the law right then. Well, if a man makes mistakes, he must payfor them, here or elsewhere. This mistake will cost you thirty-five. "

"I haven't a penny in my clothes, sir. "

"Officer, lock him up, and keep him locked up till the fine is paid. I can not see my way to remit it Not another word, "--as Warburtonstarted to protest. 

"Marie Johnson, Mabel Tynner, Belle Lisle!" cried the clerk. 

The two veiled ladies left the court precipitately. 

James, having been ushered into a cell, hurriedly called for pen andink and paper. At half after ten that morning the following notereached me:

"Dear Chuck: Am in a devil of a scrape at the police-court. Tried toplay a joke on the girls last night by dressing up in the groom'sclothes. Got the wrong outfit, and was arrested. Bring thirty-fiveand a suit of clothes the quickest ever. And, for mercy's sake, saynothing to any one, least of all the folks. I have given the nameof James Osborne. Now, hustle. Bob. "

I hustled. 

VIII

ANOTHER SALAD IDEA

When they found him missing, his bed untouched, his hat and coat onthe rack, his inseparable walking-stick in the umbrella-stand, theywere mightily worried. They questioned Jane, but she knew nothing. Jack went out to the stables; no news there. William, having driventhe girls home himself, dared say nothing. Then Jack wiselytelephoned for me, and I hurried over to the house. 

"Maybe he hunted up some friends last night, " I suggested. 

"But here's his hat!" cried Nancy. 

"Oh, he's all right; don't worry. I'll take a tour around the city. I'll find him. He may be at one of the clubs. "

Fortunately for Mr. James Osborne I returned home first, and therefound his note awaiting me. I was at the court by noon, armed withthirty-five and a suit of clothes of my own. I found the clerk. 

"A young man, dressed as a groom, and locked up overnight, " I saidcautiously. "I wish to pay his fine. "

"James Osborne?"

"Yes, that's the name; James Osborne, "--reaching down into my pocket. 

"Fine's just been paid. We were about to release him. Here, officer, show this gentleman to James Osborne's cell, and tell him to pack upand get out. "

So his fine was paid! Found the money in his clothes, doubtless. Onthe way to the cells I wondered what the deuce the rascal had beendoing to get locked up overnight. I was vastly angry, but at thesight of him all my anger melted into a prolonged shout of laughter. 

"That's right; laugh, you old pirate! I wish you had been in my bootsa few hours ago. Lord!"

I laughed again. 

"Have you got that thirty-five?" he asked. 

"Why, your fine has been paid, " I replied, rather surprised. 

"And didn't you pay it?"

"Not I! The clerk told me that it had just been paid. "

Warburton's jaw sank limply. "Just been paid?--Who the deuce couldhave paid it, or known?"

"First, tell me what you've been up to. "

He told me snatches of the exploit as he changed his clothes, and itwas a question which of us laughed the more. But he didn't say a wordabout the stolen kiss, for which I think none the less of him. 

"Who were the women?" I asked. 

He looked at me for a space, as if deciding. Finally he made anegative sign. 

"Don't know who they were, eh?"--incredulously. 

He shrugged, laughed, and drew on his shoes. 

"I always knew that I was the jackass of the family, Chuck, but Inever expected to do it so well. Let's get out of this hole. I wonderwho can have paid that fine?. .. No, that would not be possible!"

"What would not be?"

"Nothing, nothing, "--laughing. 

But I could see that his spirits had gone up several degrees. 

"The whole thing is likely to be in the evening papers, " I said. Heneeded a little worrying. And I knew his horror of publicity. 

"The newspapers? In the newspapers? Oh, I say, Chuck, can't you useyour influence to suppress the thing? Think of the girls. "

"I'll do the best I can. And there's only one thing for you to do, and that is to cut out of town till your beard has grown. It wouldserve you right, however, if the reporters got the true facts. "

"I'm for getting out of town, Chuck; and on the next train but one. "

Here our conversation was interrupted by the entrance of a policeman. 

"A note for _Mister_ Osborne, "--ironically. He tossed the letterto Warburton and withdrew. 

_Mister_ Osborne eagerly tore open an end of the envelope--avery aristocratic envelope, as I could readily discern--and extractedthe letter. I closely watched his facial expressions. First, therewas interest, then surprise, to be succeeded by amusement and acertain exultation. He slapped his thigh. 

"By George, Chuck. I'll do it!"

"Do it? Now what?"

"Listen to this. " He cleared his throat, sniffed of the faintlyscented paper and cleared his throat again. He looked up at medrolly. 

"Well?" said I, impatiently. I was as eager to hear it as he had beento read it. I believed that the mystery was about to be solved. 

"'James Osborne, Sir: I have been thinking the matter over seriously, and have come to the conclusion that there may have been a mistake. Undoubtedly my groom was primarily to blame. I have discharged himfor neglecting his post of duty. I distinctly recall the manner inwhich you handled the horses last night. It may be possible that theyran away with you. However that may be, I find myself in need of agroom. Your horsemanship saved us from a serious accident. If youwill promise to let whisky alone, besides bringing me arecommendation, and are without engagement, call at the inclosedaddress this afternoon at three o'clock. I should be willing to payas much as forty dollars a month. You would be expected to accompanyme on my morning rides. '"

"She must have paid the fine, " said I. "Well, it beats anything Iever heard of. Had you arrested, and now wants to employ you! Whatname did you say?" I asked carelessly. 

"I didn't say any name, Chuck, "--smiling. "And I'm not going to giveany, you old duffer. "

"And why not?"

"For the one and simple reason that I am going to accept theposition, "--with a coolness that staggered me. 

"What?" I bawled. 

"Sure as life, as the policeman said last night. "

"You silly ass, you! Do you want to make the family a laughing-stockall over town?" I was really angry. 

"Neither the family nor the town will know anything about it, "--imperturbably. 

"But you will be recognized!" I remonstrated. "It's a clear case ofinsanity, after what has just happened to you. "

"I promise not to drink any whisky, "--soberly. 

"Bob, you are fooling me. "

"Not the littlest bit, Chuck. I've worn a beard for two years. No onewould recognize me. Besides, being a groom, no one would pay anyparticular attention to me. Get the point?"

"But what under the sun is your object?" I demanded. "There'ssomething back of all this. It's not a simple lark like lastnight's. "

"Perspicacious man!"--railingly. "Possibly you may be right. Chuck, you know that I've just got to be doing something. I've been inactivetoo long. I am ashamed to say that I should tire of the house in aweek or less. Change, change, of air, of place, of occupation;change--I must have it. It's food and drink. "

"You've met this woman before, somewhere. "

"I neither acknowledge nor deny. It will be very novel. I shall bebusy from morning till night. Think of the fun of meeting personswhom you know, but who do not know you. I wouldn't give up thischance for any amount of money. "

"Forty Dollars a month, " said I, wrathfully. 

"Cigar money, "--tranquilly. 

"Look here, Bob; be reasonable. You can't go about as a groom inWashington. If the newspapers ever get hold of it, you would bedisgraced. They wouldn't take you as a clerk in a third-rateconsulate. Supposing you should run into Jack or his wife or Nancy;do you think they wouldn't know you at once?"

"I'll take the risk. I'd deny that I knew them; they'd tumble andleave me alone. Chuck, I've got to do this. Some day you'llunderstand. "

"But the woman's name, Bob; only her name. "

"Oh, yes! And have you slide around and show me up within twenty-fourhours. No, I thank you. I am determined on this. You ought to know meby this time. I never back down; it isn't in the blood. And when allis said, where's the harm in this escapade? I can see none. It maynot last the day through. "

"I trust not, "--savagely. 

"I am determined upon answering this letter in person and findingout, if possible, what induced her to pay my fine. Jackass or not, I'm going to see the thing through. " Then he stretched an appealinghand out toward me, and said wheedlingly: "Chuck, give me your wordto keep perfectly quiet. I'll drop you a line once in a while, justto let you know how I stand. I shall be at the house to-night. I'llfind an excuse. I'm to go up North on a hunting expedition; a hurrycall. Do you catch on?"

"I shall never be able to look Nancy in the face, " I declared. "Come, Bob; forget it. It sounds merry enough, but my word for it, you'llregret it inside of twenty-four hours. You are a graduate of theproudest military school in the world, and you are going to make agroom of yourself!"

"I've already done that and been locked up overnight. You are wastingyour breath, Chuck. "

"Well, hang you for a jackass, sure enough! I promise; but if you getinto any such scrape as this, you needn't send for me. I refuse tohelp you again. "

"I can't exactly see that you did. Let's get out. Got a cigar in yourpocket? I am positively dying for a smoke. "

Suddenly a brilliant idea came to me. 

"Did you know that Miss Annesley, the girl you saw on shipboard, isin Washington and was at the embassy last night?"

"No! You don't say!" He was too clever for me. "When I get throughwith this exploit, Nancy'll have to introduce me. Did you see her?"

"Yes, and talked to her. You see what you missed by not going lastnight. "

"Yes, I missed a good night's rest and a cold bath in the morning. "

"Where shall I say you were last night?" I asked presently. 

Mister James scratched his chin disconcertedly. "I hadn't thought ofthat. Say that I met some of the boys and got mixed up in a littlegame of poker. "

"You left your hat on the rack and your cane in the stand. You aresupposed to have left the house without any hat. "

"Hat!" He jumped up from the cot on which he had been sitting andpicked up the groom's tile. "Didn't you bring me a hat?"--dismayed. 

"You said nothing about it, "--and I roared with laughter. 

"How shall I get out of here? I can't wear this thing through thestreets. "

"I've a mind to make you wear it. And, by Jove, you shall! You'llwear it to the hatter's, or stay here. That's final. I never backdown, either. "

"I'll wear it; only, mark me, I'll get even with you. I always did. "

"_I_ am not a boy any longer, "--with an inflection on thepersonal pronoun. "Well, to continue about that excuse. You left thehouse without a hat, and you met the boys and played poker all night. That hitches wonderfully. You didn't feel well enough to go to theembassy, but you could go and play poker. That sounds as if you careda lot for your sister. And you wanted to stay at home the firstnight, because you had almost forgotten how the inside of a privatedwelling looked. Very good; very coherent. "

"Cut it, Chuck. What the deuce excuse _can_ I give?"--worriedlylighting the cigar I had given him. 

"My boy, I'm not making up your excuses; you'll have to invent those. I'll be silent, but I refuse to lie to Nancy on your account. Pokeris the only excuse that would carry any weight with it. You will haveto let them believe you're a heartless wretch; which you are, if youpersist in this idiotic exploit. "

"You don't understand, Chuck. I wish I could tell you; honestly, Ido. The girls will have to think mean things of me till the farce isover. I couldn't escape if I wanted to. "

"Is it Miss Annesley, Bob? Was it she whom you ran away with? Come, make a clean breast of it. If it's she, why, that altogether altersthe face of things. "

He walked the length of the cell and returned. "I give up. You've hitit. You understand now. I simply can't back away; I couldn't if Itried. "

"Are you in love with the girl?"

"That's just what I want to find out, Chuck. I'm not sure. I've beenthinking of her night and day. I never had any affair; I don't knowwhat love is. But if it's shaking in your boots at the sound of hername, if it's getting red in the face when you only just think ofher, if it's having a wild desire to pick her up and run away withher when you see her, then I've got it. When she stepped out of thatconfounded carriage last night, you could have knocked me over with apaper-wad. Come, let's go out. Hang the hat! Let them all laugh ifthey will. It's only a couple of blocks to the hatter's. "

He bravely put the white hat on his head, and together we marched outof the police-office into the street. We entered the nearest hatter'stogether. He took what they call a drop-kick out of the hat, sendingit far to the rear of the establishment. I purchased a suitable derbyfor him, gave him ten dollars for emergencies, and we parted. 

He proceeded to a telegraph office and sent a despatch to a friend upNorth, asking him to telegraph him to come at once, taking hischances of getting a reply. After this he boarded a north-going car, and was rolled out to Chevy Chase. He had no difficulty in findingthe house of which he was in search. It was a fine example ofcolonial architecture, well back from the road, and fields beyond it. It was of red brick and white stone, with a wide veranda supported bygreat white pillars. There was a modern portico at one side. A finelawn surrounded the whole, and white-pebble walks wound in and out. All around were thickly wooded hills, gashed here and there by thefamiliar yet peculiar red clay of the country. Warburton walked upthe driveway and knocked deliberately at the servants' door, whichwas presently opened. (I learned all these things afterward, whichaccounts for my accurate knowledge of events. )

"Please inform Miss Annesley that Mr. Osborne has come in reply toher letter, " he said to the little black-eyed French maid. 

"Ees Meestaire Osborrrrne zee new groom?"

"Yes. "

"I go thees minute!" _Hein!_ what a fine-looking young man tomake eyes at on cold nights in the kitchen!

Warburton sat down and twirled his hat. Several times he repressedthe desire to laugh. He gazed curiously about him. From where he sathe could see into the kitchen. The French chef was hanging up hispolished pans in a glistening row back of the range, and he washumming a little _chanson_ which Warburton had often heard inthe restaurants of the provincial cities of France. He even foundhimself catching up the refrain where the chef left off. Presently heheard footsteps sounding on the hardwood floor, which announced thatthe maid was returning with her mistress. 

He stood up, rested first on one foot, then on the other, andawkwardly shifted his new hat from one hand to the other, thensuddenly put the hat under his arm, recollecting that the label wasnot such as servants wore inside their hats. 

There was something disquieting in those magnetic sapphire eyeslooking so serenely into his. 

IX

THE HEROINE HIRES A GROOM

Remarkable as it may read, his first impression was of her gown--agown such as women wear on those afternoons when they are free ofsocial obligations, a gown to walk in or to lounge in. The skirt, which barely reached to the top of her low shoes, was of some bluestuff (stuff, because to a man's mind the word covers feminine dress-goods generally, liberally, and handily), overshot with gray. Abovethis she had put on a white golfing-sweater, a garment which at thattime was just beginning to find vogue among women who loved thefields and the road. Only men who own to stylish sisters appreciatethese things, and Warburton possessed rather observant eyes. She helda bunch of freshly plucked poppies in her hand. It was the secondtime that their glances had met and held. In the previous episode (onthe day she had leaned out of the cab) hers had been first to fall. Now it was his turn. He studied the tips of his shoes. There werethree causes why he lowered his eyes: First, she was mistress hereand he was an applicant for employment; second, he loved her; third, he was committing the first bold dishonesty in his life. Once, it wason the very tip of his tongue to confess everything, apologize, andtake himself off. But his curiosity was of greater weight than hisdesire. He remained silent and waited for her to speak. 

"Celeste, you may leave us, " said Miss Annesley. 

Celeste courtesied, shot a killing glance at the tentative groom, anddeparted the scene. 

"You have driven horses for some length of time?" the girl began. 

If only he might look as calmly and fearlessly at her! What a voice, now that he heard it in its normal tone! "Yes, Madam; I have riddenand driven something like ten years. "

"Where?"

"In the West, mostly. "

"You are English?"

"No, Madam. " He wondered how much she had heard at the police-courtthat morning. "I am American born. "

"Are you addicted to the use of intoxicants?"--mentally noting theclearness of the whites of his eyes. 

The barest flicker of a smile stirred his lips. 

"No, Madam. I had not been drinking last night--that is, not in thesense the officers declared I had. It is true that I take a drinkonce in a while, when I have been riding or driving all day, or whenI am cold. I have absolutely no appetite. "

She brushed her cheeks with the poppies, and for a brief second theflowers threw a most beautiful color over her face and neck. 

"What was your object in climbing on the box of my carriage andrunning away with it?"

Quick as a flash of light he conceived his answer. "Madam, it was ajest between me and some maids. " He had almost said serving-maids, but the thought of Nancy checked this libel. 

"Between you and some maids?"--faintly contemptuous. "Explain, for Ibelieve an explanation is due me. "

His gaze was forced to rove again. "Well, Madam, it is trulyembarrassing. Two maids were to enter a carriage and I was to drivethem away from the embassy, and once I had them in the carriage Ithought it would be an admirable chance to play them a trick. "

"Pray, since when have serving-maids beein allowed exit from the mainhall of the British embassy?"

Mr. Robert was positive that the shadow of a sarcastic smile restedfor a moment on her lips. But it was instantly hidden under thepoppies. 

"That is something of which I have no intimate knowledge. A groom isnot supposed to turn his head when on the box unless spoken to. Youwill readily understand that, Madam. I made a mistake in the number. Mine was seventy-one, and I answered number seventeen. I wasconfused. "

"I dare say. Seventy-one, " she mused, "It will be easy to verifythis, to find out whose carriage that was. "

Mr. Robert recognized his mistake, but he saw no way to rectify it. She stood silently gazing over his shoulder, into the fields beyond. 

"Perhaps you can explain to me that remarkable episode at thecarriage door? I should be pleased to hear your explanation. "

It hard come, --the very thing he had dreaded had come. He had hopedthat she would ignore it. "Madam, I can see that you have sent for meout of curiosity only. If I offered any disrespect to you last night, I pray you to forgive me. For, on my word of honor, it was innocentlydone. " He bowed, and even placed his hand on the knob of the door. 

"Have a little patience. I prefer myself to forget that disagreeableincident. " The truth is, "on my word of honor, " coming from a groom, sounded strange in her ears; and she wanted to learn more about thisfellow. "Mr. Osborne, what were you before you became a groom?"

"I have not always been a groom, it is true, Madam. My past I preferto leave in obscurity. There is nothing in that past, however, ofwhich I need be ashamed;"--and unconsciously his figure became moreerect. 

"Is your name Osborne?"

"No, Madam, it is not. For my family's sake, I have tried to forgetmy own name. " (I'll wager the rascal never felt a qualm in the regionof his conscience. )

It was this truth which was not truth that won his battle. 

"You were doubtless discharged last night?"

"I did not return to ascertain, Madam. I merely sent for mybelongings. "

"You have recommendations?"--presently. 

"I have no recommendations whatever, Madam. If you employ me, it mustbe done on your own responsibility and trust in human nature. I canonly say, Madam, that I am honest, that I am willing, that I possessa thorough knowledge of horse-flesh. "

"It is very unusual, " she said, searching him to the very heart withher deep blue eyes. "For all I know you may be the greatest rascal, or you may be the honestest man, in the world. " His smile was sofrank and engaging that she was forced to smile herself. But shethought of something, and frowned. "If you have told me the truth, somuch the better; for I can easily verify all you have told me. I willgive you a week's trial. After all, "--indifferently--"what I desireis a capable servant. You will have to put up with a good deal. Thereare days when I am not at all amiable, and on those days I do notlike to find a speck of rust on the metals or a blanket that has notbeen thoroughly brushed. As for the animals, they must always shinelike satin. This last is unconditional. Besides all this, our forceof servants is small. Do you know anything about serving?"

"Very little. " What was coming now?

"The chef will coach you. I entertain some, and there will be timeswhen you will be called upon to wait on the table. Come with me and Iwill show you the horses. We have only five, but my father takesgreat pride in them. They are all thoroughbreds. "

"Like their mistress, " was Warburton's mental supplementary. 

"Father hasn't ridden for years, however. The groom I discharged thismorning was capable enough on the box, but he was worse than uselessto me in my morning rides. I ride from nine till eleven, even Sundayssometimes. Remain here till I return. "

As she disappeared Warburton drew in an exceedingly long breath andreleased it slowly. Heavens, what an ordeal! He drew the back of hishand across his forehead and found it moist. Not a word about thefine: he must broach it and thank her. Ah, to ride with her everymorning, to adjust her stirrup, to obey every command to which shemight give voice, to feel her small boot repulse his palm as shemounted! Heaven could hold nothing greater than this. And how easilya woman may be imposed upon! Decidedly, Mr. Robert was violently inlove. 

When she returned there was a sunbonnet on her head, and she hadpinned the poppies on her breast. (Why? I couldn't tell you, unlesswhen all is said and done, be he king or valet, a man is always aman; and if perchance he is blessed with good looks, a little morethan a man. You will understand that in this instance I am trying toview things through a woman's eyes. ) With a nod she bade him precedeher, and they went out toward the stables. She noted the flat back, the square shoulders, the easy, graceful swing of the legs. 

"Have you been a soldier?" she asked suddenly. 

He wheeled. His astonishment could not be disguised quickly enough toescape her vigilant eyes. Once more he had recourse to the truth. 

"Yes, Madam. It was as a trooper that I learned horsemanship. "

"What regiment?"

"I prefer not to say, "--quietly. 

"I do not like mysteries, "--briefly. 

"Madam, you have only to dismiss me, to permit me to thank you forpaying my fine and to reimburse you at the earliest opportunity. "

She closed her lips tightly. No one but herself knew what had been onthe verge of passing across them. 

"Let us proceed to the stables, " was all she said. "If you proveyourself a capable horseman, that is all I desire. "

The stable-boy slid back the door, and the two entered. Warburtonglanced quickly about; all was neatness. There was light andventilation, too, and the box-stalls were roomy. The girl stoppedbefore a handsome bay mare, which whinnied when it saw her. She laidher cheek against the animal's nose and talked that soft jargon soembarrassing to man and so intelligible to babies and pet animals. Lucky horse! he thought; but his face expressed nothing. 

"This is Jane, my own horse, and there are few living things I loveso well. Remember this. She is a thoroughbred, a first-class hunter;and I have done more than five feet on her at home. "

She moved on, Warburton following soberly and thoughtfully. There wasa good deal to think of just now. The more he saw of this girl, theless he understood her purpose in hiring him. She couldn't possiblyknow anything about him, who or what he was. With his beard gone hedefied her to recognize in him the man who had traveled across theAtlantic with her. A highbred woman, such as she was, would scarcelyharbor any kind feelings toward a man who had acted as he was acting. If any man had kissed Nancy the way he had kissed her, he would havebroken every bone in his body or hired some one to do it. And she hadpaid his fine at the police-station and had hired him on probation!Truly he was in the woods, and there wasn't a sign of a blazed trail. (It will be seen that my hero hadn't had much experience with women. She knew nothing of him whatever. She was simply curious, and braveenough to attempt to have this curiosity gratified. Of course, I donot venture to say that, had he been coarse in appearance, she wouldhave had anything to do with him. )

"This is Dick, my father's horse, "--nodding toward a sorrel, largeand well set-up. "He will be your mount. The animal in the next stallis Pirate. "

Pirate was the handsomest black gelding Warburton had ever laid eyeson. 

"What a beauty!" he exclaimed enthusiastically, forgetting thatgrooms should be utterly without enthusiasm. He reached out his handto pat the black nose, when a warning cry restrained him. Pirate'sears lay flat. 

"Take care! He is a bad-tempered animal. No one rides him, and wekeep him only to exhibit at the shows. Only half a dozen men haveridden him with any success. He won't take a curb in his mouth, andhe always runs away. It takes a very strong man to hold him in. Ireally don't believe that he's vicious, only terribly mischievous, like a bullying boy. "

"I should like to ride him. "

The girl looked at her new groom in a manner which expressed frankastonishment. Was he in earnest, or was it mere bravado? An idea cameto her, a mischievous idea. 

"If you can sit on Pirate's back for ten minutes, there will not beany question of probation. I promise to engage you on the spot, recommendation or no recommendation. " Would he, back down?

"Where are the saddles, Madam?" he asked calmly, though his bloodmoved faster. 

"On the pegs behind you, "--becoming interested. "Do you really intendto ride him?"

"With your permission. "

"I warn you that the risk you are running is great. "

"I am not afraid of Pirate, Madam, " in a tone which implied that hewas not afraid of any horse living. The spirit of antagonism rose upin him, that spirit of antagonism of the human against the animal, that eternal ambition of the one to master the other. And besides, I'm not sure that James didn't want to show off before the girl--another very human trait in mankind. For my part, I wouldn't giveyesterday's rose for a man who wouldn't show off once in a while, when his best girl is around and looking on. 

"On your head be it, then, "--a sudden nervousness seizing her. Yetshe was as eager to witness the encounter as he was to court it. "William!" she called. The stable-boy entered, setting aside hisbroom. "This is James, the new groom. Help him to saddle Pirate. "

"Saddle Pirate, Miss Annesley!" cried the boy, his mouth open and hiseyes wide. 

"You see?" said the girl to Warburton. 

"Take down that saddle with the hooded stirrups, " said Warburton, briefly. He would ride Pirate now, even if Pirate had been sired inBeelzebub's stables. He carefully inspected the saddle, the stirrup-straps and the girth. "Very good, indeed. Buckles on saddles arealways a hidden menace and a constant danger. Now, bring out Pirate, William. "

William brought out the horse, who snorted when he saw the saddle onthe floor and the curb on Warburton's arm. 

"There hasn't been anybody on his back for a year, sir; not sincelast winter. He's likely to give you trouble, " said the boy. "Youcan't put that curb on him, sir; he won't stand for it a moment. MissAnnesley, hadn't you better step outside? He may start to kicking. That heavy English snaffle is the best thing I know of. Try that, sir. And don't let him get his head down, or he'll do you. Whoa!" asPirate suddenly took it into his head to leave the barn without anyone's permission. 

The girl sprang lightly into one of the empty stalls and waited. Shewas greatly excited, and the color in her cheeks was not borrowedfrom the poppies. She saw the new groom take Pirate by the forelock, and, quicker than words can tell, Mr. Pirate was angrily champing thecold bit. He reared. Warburton caught him by the nose and the neck. Pirate came down, trembling with rage. 

"Here, boy; catch him here, " cried Warburton. William knew hisbusiness, and he grasped the bridle close under Pirate's jaws. "That's it. Now hold him. "

Warburton picked up the saddle and threw it over Pirate's glossyback. Pirate waltzed from side to side, and shook his head wickedly. But the man that was to mount him knew all these signs. Swiftly hegathered up the end of the belly-band strap and ran it through theiron ring. In and out he threaded it, drawing it tighter and tighter. He leaped into the saddle and adjusted the stirrups, then dismounted. 

"I'll take him now, William, " said James, smiling. 

"All right, sir, " said William, glad enough to be relieved of allfurther responsibility. 

James led Pirate into the small court and waited for Miss Annesley, who appeared in the doorway presently. 

"James, I regret that I urged you to ride him. You will be hurt, " shesaid. Her worry was plainly visible on her face. 

James smiled his pleasantest and touched his hat. 

"Very well, then; I have warned you. If he bolts, head him for atree. That's the only way to stop him. "

James shortened the bridle-rein to the required length, took a firmgrip on Pirate's mane, and vaulted into the saddle. Pirate stoodperfectly still. He shook his head. James talked to him and pattedhis sleek neck, and touched him gently with his heel. Then thingslivened up a bit. Pirate waltzed, reared, plunged, and started to dothe _pas seul_ on the flower-beds. Then he immediately changedhis mind. He decided to re-enter the stables. 

"Don't let him get his head down!" yelled William, nimbly jumpingover a bed of poppies and taking his position beside his mistress. 

"The gates, William! The gates!" cried the girl, excitedly. "Only oneis open. He will not be able to get through. "

William scampered down the driveway and swung back the iron barrier. None too soon! Like a black shadow, Pirate flashed by, his rider'snew derby rolling in the dust. 

The girl stood in the doorway, her hands pressed against her heart. She was as white as the clouds that sailed overhead. 

X

PIRATE

On the opposite side of the road there was a stone wall about fivefeet in height; beyond this was a broad, rolling field, and fartheron, a barb-wire fence and a boggy stream which oozed its way downtoward the Potomac. Far away across the valley the wooded hills weredrying and withering and thinning, with splashes of yellow and red. Aflock of birds speckled the fleecy October clouds, and a mild breezesent the grasses shivering. 

Toward the wall Pirate directed his course. Warburton threw back hisfull weight. The effort had little or no effect on Pirate's mouth. His rider remembered about the tree, but the nearest was many yardsaway. Over the wall they went, and down the field. Pirate tried toget his head down, but he received a check. Score one for the man. Warburton, his legs stiffened in the stirrups, his hands well down, his breath coming in gasps, wondered where they would finally land. He began to use his knees, and Pirate felt the pressure. He didn'tlike it at all. Oddly enough, Warburton's leg did not bother him ashe expected it would, and this gave him confidence. On, on; the dullpounding of Pirate's feet, the flying sod, the wind in his face: andwhen he saw the barb-wire fence, fear entered into him. An inch toolow, a stumble, and serious injuries might result. He must breakPirate's gait. 

He began to saw cow-boy fashion. Pirate grew very indignant: he wasbeing hurt. His speed slackened none, however; he was determined tomake that fence if it was the last thing he ever did. He'd like tosee any man stop him. He took the deadly fence as with the wings of abird. But he found that the man was still on his back. He couldn'tunderstand it. He grew worried. And then he struck the red-brown muckbordering the stream. The muck flew, but at every bound Pirate sankdeeper, and the knees of his rider were beginning to tell. Warburton, full of rage, yet not unreasonable rage, quickly saw his chance. Oncemore he threw back his weight; this time to the left. Pirate's headcame stubbornly around; his gait was broken, he was floundering inthe stream. Now Warburton used his heels savagely. He shortened thereins and whacked Mr. Pirate soundly across the ears. Pirate plungedand reared and, after devious evolutions, reached solid ground. Thistime his head was high in the air, and, try as he would, he could notlower his neck a solitary inch. 

[Illustration: "He's a newspaper man and makes his living by tellinglies. "--ACT II. ]

Warburton knew that the animal could not make the barb-wire fenceagain, so he waltzed him along till he found a break in the wire. Over this Pirate bounded, snorting. But he had met a master. Whetherhe reared or plunged, waltzed or ran, he could not make thoseruthless knees relent in their pressure. He began to understand whatall beasts understand, sooner or later--the inevitable mastery ofman. There was blood in his nostrils. A hand touched his neckcaressingly. He shook his head; he refused to conciliate. A voice, kindly but rather breathless, addressed him. Again Pirate shook hishead; but he did not run, he cantered. Warburton gave a sigh ofrelief. Over the field they went. A pull to the left, and Piratewheeled; a pull to the right, and again Pirate answered, and canteredin a circle. But he still shook his head discontentedly, and thefroth that spattered Warburton's legs was flecked with blood. Thestirrup-strap began to press sharply and hurtfully againstWarburton's injured leg. He tugged, and Pirate fell into a trot. Hewas mastered. 

After this Warburton did as he pleased; Pirate had learned hislesson. His master put him through a dozen manoeuvers, and he wasvastly satisfied with the victory. In the heat of the battleWarburton had forgotten all about where and what he was; and it wasonly when he discerned far away a sunbonnet with fluttering stringspeering over the stone wall, and a boy in leggings standing on top ofthe wall, that he recollected. A wave of exhilaration swept throughhis veins. He had conquered the horse before the eyes of the onewoman. 

He guided Pirate close to the wall, and stopped him, looked down intothe girl's wonder-lit eyes and smiled cheerfully. And what is more, she smiled faintly in acknowledgment. He had gained, in the guise ofa groom, what he might never have gained in any other condition oflife, the girl's respect and admiration. Though a thorough woman ofthe world, high-bred, wellborn, she forgot for the moment to controlher features; and as I have remarked elsewhere, Warburton was ashrewd observer. 

"Bully, Mr. Osborne!" shouted William, leaping down. "It was simplygreat!"

"There are some bars farther down, " said the girl, quietly. "William, run and open them. "

Warburton flushed slightly. He could not tell how she hadaccomplished it, whether it was the tone or the gesture, but she hadcalmly reestablished the barrier between mistress and servant. 

"I think I'll put him to the wall again, " said the hero, seized by arebel spirit. 

He wheeled Pirate about and sent him back at a run. Pirate balked. Round he went again, down the field and back. This time he clearedthe wall with a good foot to spare. The victory was complete. 

When it was all over, and Pirate was impatiently munching an extrasupply of oats, the girl bade Mr. James to report early the followingmorning. 

"I hope I shall please you, Madam. "

"Address me as Miss Annesley from now on, " she said; and noddingshortly, she entered the house. 

To Warburton, half the pleasure of the victory was gone; for not aword of praise had she given him. Yet, she had answered his smile. Well, he had made a lackey out of himself; he had no right to expectanything but forty dollars a month and orders. 

He broke his word with me. He did not return to the house that nightfor dinner. In fact, he deliberately sent for his things, explainingthat he was called North and wouldn't have time to see them before heleft. It took all my persuasive oratory to smooth the troubledwaters, and then there were areas upon which my oil had no effectwhatever. 

"He is perfectly heartless!" cried Nancy. "He couldn't go to theembassy, but he could steal away and play poker all night with a lotof idling Army officers. And now he is going off to Canada withouteven seeing us to say good-by. Charlie, there is something back ofall this. "

"I'll bet it's a woman, " said Jack, throwing a scrutinizing glance atme. But I was something of a diplomat myself, and he didn't catch menapping. "Here's a telegram for him, too. "

"I think I'll take the liberty of opening it, " said I. I knew itscontents. It was the reply Warburton had depended on. I read italoud. It is good to have friends of this sort. No question wasasked. It was a bald order: "Come up at once and shoot caribou. Takefirst train. "

"Bob's a jackass, " was Jack's commentary. I had heard something likeit before, that day. "He'll turn up all right;"--and Jack lit a cigarand picked up his paper. 

"And Betty Annesley is going to call to-morrow night, " said Nancy, her voice overflowing with reproach. Her eyes even sparkled withtears. "I did so want them to meet. "

I called myself a villain. But I had given my promise; and I was inlove myself. 

"I don't see what we can do. When Bob makes up his mind to doanything, he generally does it. " Jack, believing he had demolishedthe subject, opened his _Morning Post_ and fell to studying thelatest phases of the Venezuelan muddle. 

Nancy began to cry softly; she loved the scalawag as only sistersknow how to love. And I became possessed with two desires; to consoleher and to punch Mr. Robert's head. 

"It has always been this way with him, " Nancy went on, dabbing hereyes with her two-by-four handkerchief. "We never dreamed that he wasgoing into the Army till he came home one night and announced that hehad successfully passed his examinations for West Point. He goes andgets shot, and we never know anything about it till we read thepapers. Next, he resigns and goes abroad without a word or coming tosee us. I don't know what to make of Bobby; I really don't. "

I took her hand in mine and kissed it, and told her the rascal wouldturn up in due time, that they hadn't heard the last of him for thatwinter. 

"He's only thoughtless and single-purposed, " interposed Jack. 

"Single-purposed!" I echoed. 

"Why, yes. He gets one thing at a time in his brain, and thinks ofnothing else till that idea is worn out. I know him. "

I recalled my useless persuasion of the morning. "I believe you areright. "

"Of course I'm right, " replied Jack, turning a page of his paper. "Do_you_ know where he has gone?"

"I think the telegram explains everything, "--evasively. 

"Humph! Don't you worry about him, Nan. I'll wager he's up to some ofhis old-time deviltry. "

These and other little observations Jack let fall made it plain to methat he was a natural student of men and their impulses, and that hisinsight and judgment, unerring and anticipatory, had put him where heis to-day, at the head of a department. 

I left the house about ten o'clock, went downtown and found theprodigal at a cheap hotel on Pennsylvania. He was looking over someboots and leggings and ready-made riding breeches. 

"Aha, Chuck, so here you are!"

"Look here, Bob, this will never do at all, " I began. 

"I thought we had threshed all that out thoroughly this morning. "

"I left Nancy crying over your blamed callousness. "

"Nancy? Hang it, I don't want Nancy to waste any tears over me; I'mnot worth it. "

"Precious little you care! If it wasn't for the fact that you havetold me the true state of things, I should have exposed you to-night. Why didn't you turn up to dinner as you promised? You might at leasthave gone through the pretense of saying good-by to them. "

"My dear boy, I'll admit that my conduct is nefarious. But look;Nancy knows Miss Annesley, and they will be calling on each other. The truth is, I dare not let the girls see me without a beard. AndI'm too far gone into the thing to back out now. "

"I honestly hope that some one recognizes you and gives you away, " Ideclared indignantly. 

"Thanks. You're in love with Nancy, aren't you? To be sure. Well, wouldn't you do anything to keep around where she is, to serve her, to hear her voice, to touch her hand occasionally, to ride with her;in fact, always to be within the magic circle of her presence? Well, I love this girl; I know it now, it is positive, doubtless. Herpresence is as necessary to me as the air I breathe. Had I met her inthe conventional way, she would have looked upon me as one of thepillars of convention, and mildly ignored me. As I am, she does notknow what I am, or who I am; I am a mystery, I represent a secret, and she desires to find out what this secret is. Besides all this, something impels me to act this part, something aside from love. Itis inexplicable; fate, maybe. " He paused, went to the window, andlooked down into the street. It was after-theater time and carriageswere rolling to and fro. 

"Bob, I apologize. You know a great deal more about feminine naturethan I had given you credit for. But how can you win her this way?"

He raised his shoulders. "Time and chance. "

"Well, whate'er betide, I can't help wishing you luck. "

We shook hands silently, and then I left him. 

"Father, " said Betty Annesley at the dinnertable that same night, "Ihave engaged a new groom. He rode Pirate to-day and thoroughlymastered him. "

"Pirate? You don't say! Well, I'm glad of that. Pirate will make acapital saddle-horse if he is ridden often enough. The groom will bea safe companion for you on your rides. Are you too tired to do somedrawing for me to-night?"

"The fortification plans?"

"Yes. " His eyes wandered from her face to the night outside. How grayand sad the world was! "You will always love your father, dearie?"

"Love him? Always!"

"Whatever betide, for weal or woe?"

"Whatever betide. "

How easy it was for her to say these words!

"And yet, some day, you must leave me, to take up your abode in someother man's heart. My only wish is that it may beat for you as trulyas mine does. "

She did not reply, but stepped to the window and pressed her brow tothe chilled pane. A yellow and purple line marked the path of thevanished sun; the million stars sparkled above; far away she couldsee the lights of the city. Of what was she thinking, dreaming? Wasshe dreaming of heroes such as we poets and novelists invent and hangupon the puppet-beam? Ah, the pity of these dreams the young girlhas! She dreams of heroes and of god-like men, and of the one that isto come. But, ah! he never comes, he never comes; and the dream fadesand dies, and the world becomes real. A man may find his ideal, but awoman, never. To youth, the fields of love; to man, the battle-ground; to old age, a chair in the sunshine and the wreck of dreams!

"The government ought to pay you well if those plans are successful. "She moved away from the window. 

"Yes, the government ought to pay me well. I should like to make yourich, dearie, and happy. "

"Why, daddy, am I not both? I have more money than I know what to dowith, and I am happy in having the kindest father. " She came aroundthe table and caressed him, cheek to cheek. "Money isn't everything. It just makes me happy to do anything for you. "

His arm grew tense around her waist. 

"Do you know what was running through my mind at the embassy lastnight? I was thinking how deeply I love this great wide country ofmine. As I looked at the ambassador and his aides, I was saying tomyself, 'You dare not!' It may have been silly, but I couldn't helpit, We are the greatest people in the world. When I compared foreignsoldiers with our own, how my heart and pride swelled! Noformalities, no race prejudice, no false pride. I was neverintroduced to a foreign officer that I did not fear him, with hisweak eyes, his affected mannerisms, his studied rudeness, not to me, but to the country I represented. How I made some of them dance! Notfor vanity's sake; rather the inborn patriotism of my race. I hadonly to think of my father, his honorable scars, his contempt forlittle things, his courage, his steadfastness, his love for hiscountry, which has so honored him with its trust. Oh! I am a patriot;and I shall never, never marry a man whose love for his country doesnot equal my own. " She caught up her father's mutilated hand andkissed it. "And even now this father of mine is planning and planningto safeguard his country. "

"But you must not say anything to a soul, my child; it must be asecret till all is ready. I met Karloff to-day at the club. He haspromised to dine with us to-morrow night. "

"Make him postpone it. I have promised to dine with Nancy Warburton. "

"You had better dine with us and spend the evening with your friend. Do you not think him a handsome fellow?"

"He is charming. " She touched the bowl of poppies with her fingersand smiled. 

"He is very wealthy, too. "

Betty offered no comment. 

"What did they do to that infernal rascal who attempted to run awaywith you and Mrs. Chadwick?"

"They arrested him and locked him up. "

"I hope they will keep him there. And what reason did he give thepolice for attempting to run away with you?"

"He said that he had made a wager with some serving-maids to drivethem from the embassy. He claims to have got the wrong number and thewrong carriage. "

"A very likely story!"

"Yes, a very likely story!"--and Betty, still smiling, passed on intothe music-room, where she took her violin from its case and playedsome rollicking measures from Offenbach. 

At the same time her father rose and went out on the lawn, where hewalked up and down, with a long, quick, nervous stride. From time totime a wailing note from the violin floated out to him, and he wouldstop and raise his haggard face toward heaven. His face was no longermasked in smiles; it was grief-stricken, self-abhorring. At length hesoftly crossed the lawn and stood before the music-room window. Ah, no fretting care sat on yonder exquisite face, nor pain, nor trouble;youth, only youth and some pleasant thought which the music hadaroused. How like her mother! How like her mother!

Suddenly he smote himself on the brow with a clenched hand. "Wretch!God-forsaken wretch, how have you kept your trust? And how yonderchild has stabbed you! How innocently she has stabbed you! Mycountry! . .. My honor! . .. My courage and steadfastness! Mockery!"

XI

THE FIRST RIDE

The next morning Warburton was shown into a neat six-by-eight, justoff the carriage-room. There was a cot, running water and a wash-stand, and a boot-blacking apparatus. For the rest, there were a fewportraits of fast horses, fighters, and toe-dancers (the adjectivequalifying all three!) which the senator's sporting groom hadcollected and tacked to the walls. For appearance's sake, Mr. Jameshad purchased a cheap trunk. Everything inside was new, too. Hissilver military brushes, his silver shaving set, and so forth and soforth, were in charge of a safe-deposit storage company, alongsidesome one's family jewels. The only incriminating things he retainedwere his signet-ring and his Swiss timepiece. 

"Have you had your breakfast, sir?" asked William, the stable-boy. 

"Yes, my lad. Now, as Miss Annesley has forgotten it, perhaps youwill tell me of just what my duties here will consist. "

"You harness, ride and drive, sir, and take care of the metals. Iclean the leathers and carriages, exercise the horses and keep theirhides shiny. If anything is purchased, sir, we shall have to dependupon your judgment. Are you given to cussing, sir?"

"Cussing?" repeated Warburton. 

"Yes, sir. Miss Annesley won't stand for it around the stables. Theman before you, sir, could cuss most beautifully; and I think that'swhy he was fired. At least, it was one reason. "

Warburton smoothed his twitching mouth. "Don't you worry, William;it's against my religion to use profane language. "

William winked, there was an answering wink, and the two becamefriends from that moment on. 

"I'll bet you didn't say a thing to Pirate yesterday, when he boltedover the wall with you. "

"Well, I believe I _did_ address a few remarks to Pirate whichwould not sound well on dress-parade; but so long as it wasn't withinhearing distance, William, I suppose it doesn't matter. "

"No, sir; I suppose not. "

"Now, what kind of a master is the colonel?" asked Warburton, strapping on his English leggings. 

"Well, it's hard to say just now. You see, I've been with the familyever since I was six. The colonel used to be the best fellow _I_ever knew. Always looking out for your comfort, never an undeservedharsh word, and always a smile when you pleased him. But he's changedin the last two years. "

"How?"

"He doesn't take any interest in the things he used to. He goes aboutas if he had something on his mind; kind of absent-minded, you know;and forgets to-morrow what he says to-day. He always puts on a goodface, though, when Miss Betty is around. "

"Ah. What night do I have off?"--of a mind that a question like thiswould sound eminently professional in William's ears. 

"Sunday, possibly; it all depends on Miss Annesley, sir. In Virginianearly every night was ours. Here it's different. " William hurriedlypulled on his rubber boots and gloves, grabbed up the carriagesponges, and vanished. 

Warburton sat on the edge of his cot and laughed silently. All thiswas very amusing. Had any man, since the beginning of time, foundhimself in a like position? He doubted it. And he was to be butlerbesides! It would be something to remember in his old age. Yet, onceor twice the pins of his conscience pricked him. He _wasn't_treating Nancy just right. He didn't want her to cry over hisgracelessness; he didn't want her to think that he was heartless. Butwhat could he do? He stood too deeply committed. 

He was puzzled about one thing, however, and, twist it as he would, he could not solve it with any degree of satisfaction. Why, afterwhat had happened, had she hired him? If she could pass over thatepisode at the carriage-door and forget it, _he_ couldn't. Heknew that each time he saw her the memory of that embrace andbrotherly salute would rise before his eyes and rob him of some ofhis assurance--an attribute which was rather well developed in Mr. Robert, though he was loath to admit it. If his actions were amystery to her, hers were none the less so to him. He made up hismind to move guardedly in whatever he did, to practise control overhis mobile features so as to avert any shock or thoughtless sign ofinterest. He knew that sooner or later the day would come when hewould be found out; but this made him not the less eager to courtthat day. 

He shaved himself, and was wiping his face on the towel when Celesteappeared in the doorway. She eyed him, her head inclined roguishly toone side, the exact attitude of a bird that has suddenly met acurious and disturbing specimen of insect life. 

"M'sieu Zhames, Mees Annesley rides thees morning. You willpre_pairre_ yourself according, "--and she rattled on in herabsurd native tongue (every other native tongue _is_ absurd tous, you know!)--

 "He is charming and handsome, With his uniform and saber; And his fine black eyes Look love as he rides by!"

while the chef in the kitchen glared furiously at his omelettesouffle, and vowed terrible things to M'sieu Zhames if he looked atCeleste more than twice a day. 

"Good morning, " said M'sieu Zhames, hanging up his towel. His faceglowed as the result of the vigorous rubbing it had received. 

_"Bon jour!"_--admiringly. 

"Don't give me any of your _bong joors, _ Miss, "--stolidly. "There's only one language for me, and that's English. "

"_Merci!_ You Anglaises are _so_ conceit'! How you like_me_ to teach you French, eh, M'sieu Zhames?"

"Not for me, "--shaking his head. She was very pretty, and underordinary circumstances . . . He did not finish the thought, but Iwill for him. Under ordinary circumstances, M'sieu Zhames would havekissed her. 

"No teach you French? _Non?_ Extra_orrd_inaire!" Shetripped away, laughing, while the chef tugged at his royal and M'sieuZhames whistled. 

"Hang the witch!" the new groom murmured. "Her mistress must be verygenerous, or very positive of her own charms, to keep a sprite likethis maid about her. I wonder if I'll run into Karloff?" Karloff! Thename chilled him, somehow. What was Karloff to her? Had he known thatshe was to be in Washington for the winter? What irony, if fateshould make him the groom and Karloff the bridegroom! If Karloffloved her, he could press his suit frankly and openly. And, asmatters stood, what chance on earth had he, Warburton? "Chuck wasright; I've made a mistake, and I am beginning to regret it the veryfirst morning. " He snapped his fingers and proceeded to the rightwing, where the horses were. 

At nine o'clock he led Jane and Dick out to the porte-cochere andwaited. He had not long to loiter, for she came out at once, drawingon her gauntlets and taking in long breaths of the morning air. Shenodded briefly, but pleasantly, and came down the steps. Her riding-habit was of the conventional black, and her small, shapely bootswere of patent-leather. She wore no hat on her glorious head, whichshowed her good sense and her scorn for freckles and sunburn. Butnature had given her one of those rare complexions upon which the sunand the wind have but trifling effect. 

"We shall ride north, James; the roads are better and freer. Jane hasa horror of cars. "

"Yes, Miss Annesley, "--deferentially. "You will have to teach me thelay of the land hereabouts, as I am rather green. "

"I'll see to it that you are made perfectly familiar with the roads. You do not know Washington very well, then?"

"No, Miss. Shall I give you a--er--boot up?" He blushed. He hadalmost said "leg up". 

She assented, and raised her boot, under which he placed his palm, and sprang into the saddle. He mounted in his turn and waited. 

"When we ride alone, James, I shall not object to your riding at myside; but when I have guests, always remember to keep five yards tothe rear. "

"Yes, Miss. " If he could have got rid of the idea of Karloff and thepossibilities which his name suggested, all this would have appealedto him as exceedingly funny. 

"Forward, then!"--and she touched Jane's flank with her crop. 

The weather was perfect for riding: no sun, a keen breeze from thenorthwest, and a dust-settled road. Warburton confessed to meafterward that this first ride with her was one of the most splendidhe had ever ridden. Both animals were perfect saddle-horses, such asare to be found only in the South. They started up the road at abrisk trot, and later broke into a canter which lasted fully a mile. How beautiful she was, when at length they slowed down into a walk!Her cheeks were flaming, her eyes dancing and full of luster, herhair was tumbled about and tendrils fluttered down her cheeks. Shewas Diana: only he hoped that she was not inclined to celibacy. 

What a mistake he had made! He could never get over this gulf whichhe himself had thrust between them. This was no guise in which tomeet a woman of her high breeding. Under his breath he cursed theimpulse that had urged him to decline to attend the ball at theBritish embassy. There he would have met her as his own true self, asoldier, a polished gentleman of the world, of learning and breeding. Nancy would have brought them together, calls would have beenexchanged, and he would have defied Karloff. Then he chid himself forthe feeling he had against the Russian. Karloff had a right to lovethis girl, a right which far eclipsed his own. Karloff was Karloff; ahandsome fellow, wealthy, agreeable; while James was not James, neither was he wealthy nor at present agreeable. A man can not sighvery well on horseback, and the long breath which left Warburton'slips made a jerking, hissing sound. 

"Have you ever ridden with women before. James?"

"Several times with my major's daughter, "--thoughtlessly. 

"Your major's daughter? Who was your regimental colonel?"

James bit his lips, and under his breath disregarded William'swarning about "cussing. "

"Permit me, Miss Annesley, to decline to answer. "

"Did you ride as an attendant?"

"Yes; I was a trooper. "

"You speak very good English for a stable-man. "

"I have not always been a stable-man. "

"I dare say. I should give a good deal to know what you _have_been. Come, James, tell me what the trouble was. I have influence; Imight help you. "

"I am past help;"--which was true enough, only the real significanceof his words passed over her head. "I thank you for your kindness. "

If she was piqued, she made no sign. "James, were you once agentleman, in the sense of being well-born?"

"Miss Annesley, you would not believe me if I told you who I am andwhat I have been. "

"Are you a deserter?"--looking him squarely in the eye. She saw thecolor as it crept under his tan. 

"I have my honorable discharge, "--briefly. 

"I shall ask you to let me see it. Have you ever committed adishonorable act? I have a right to know. "

"I have committed one dishonorable act, Miss Annesley. I shall alwaysregret it. "

She gave him a penetrating glance. "Very well; keep your secret. "

And there was no more questioning on that ride; there was not evencasual talk, such as a mistress might make to her servant. There wasonly the clock-clock of hoofs and the chink of bit metal. Warburtondid not know whether he was glad or sorry. 

She dismounted without her groom's assistance, which somewhatdisappointed that worthy gentleman. If she was angry, to his eyethere was no visible evidence of it. As he took the bridles in hand, she addressed him; though in doing so, she did not look at him, butgave her attention to her gauntlets, which she pulled slowly from heraching fingers. 

"This afternoon I shall put you in the care of Pierre, the cook. I amgiving a small dinner on Monday evening, and I shall have to call onyou to serve the courses. Later I shall seek a butler, but for thepresent you will have to act in that capacity. "

He wasn't sure; it might have been a flash of sunlight from behind acloud. If it was a smile, he would have given much to know what hadcaused it. 

He tramped off to the stables. A butler! Well, so be it. He couldonly reasonably object when she called upon him to act in thecapacity of a chambermaid. He wondered why he had no desire to laugh. 

XII

A TICKLISH BUSINESS

Pierre was fierce and fat and forty, but he could cook the mostwonderful roasts and ragouts that Warburton ever tasted; and he couldtake a handful of vegetables and an insignificant bone and make asoup that would have tickled the jaded palate of a Lucullus. Warburton presented himself at the kitchen door. 

"Ah!" said Pierre, striking a dramatic pose, a ladle in one hand anda pan in the other. "So you are zee new groom? Good! We make a butlerout of you? Bah! Do you know zee difference between a broth and asoup? Eh?"

The new groom gravely admitted that he did. 

"Hear to me!"--and Pierre struck his chest with a ladle. "I teach youhow to sairve; _I_, Pierre Flageot, will teach a hostler to be abutler! Bah!"

"That is what I am sent here for. "

"Hear to me! If zay haf oysters, zay are placed on zee table beforezee guests enter. _V'la_? Then zee soup. You sairve one deesh ata time. You do _not_ carry all zee deeshes at once. And you takezee deesh, _so_!"--illustrating. "Then you wait till zay pushaside zee soup deesh. Then you carry zem away. _V'la_?"

Warjburton signified that he understood. 

"_I_ carve zee meats, " went on the amiable Pierre. "You hafnozzing to do wiz zee meats. You rest zee deesh on zee flat uf zeehand, _so_! Always sairve to zee _right_ uf zee guest. Vatchzat i zay do not move vhile you sairve. You spill zee soup, and Ikeel you! To spill zee soup ees a crime. Now, take hold uf thees soupdeesh. "

Warburton took it clumsily by the rim. Pierre snatched it away with avolley of French oaths. William said that there was to be no"cussing, " but Pierre seemed to be an immune and not included in thisorder. 

"Idiot! Imbecile! _Non, non! Thees_ way. You would put zee thumbin zee soup. Zare! You haf catch zat. Come to zee dining-hall. I showyou. I explain. "

The new groom was compelled to put forth all his energies to keep hisface straight. If he laughed, he was lost. If only his old matescould see him now! The fop of Troop A playing at butler! Certainly hewould have to write Chuck about it--(which he most certainly neverdid). Still, the ordeal in the dining-room was a severe one. Nothinghe attempted was done satisfactorily; Pierre, having in mindCeleste's frivolity and this man's good looks, made the task doublyhard. He hissed "Idiot!" and "Imbecile!" and "Jackass!" as many timesas there are knives and forks and spoons at a course dinner. It waswhen they came to the wines that Pierre became mollified. He wasforced to acknowledge that the new groom needed no instructions as tothe varying temperatures of clarets and burgundies. Warburton longedto get out into the open and yell. It was very funny. He managed, however, on third rehearsal, to acquit himself with some credit. Theyreturned to the kitchen again, where they found Celeste nibblingcrackers and cheese. She smiled. 

"Ha!" The vowel was given a prolonged roll. "So, Mademoiselle, youhaf to come and look on, eh?"

"Is there any objection, Monsieur?" retorted Celeste in her nativetongue, making handsome eyes at Warburton, who was greatly amused. 

"Ha! if he was hideous, would you be putting on those ribbons I gaveyou to wear on Sundays?" snarled Pierre. 

Warburton followed their French without any difficulty. It was theFrench of the Parisian, with which he was fairly conversant. But hisface remained impassive and his brows only mildly curious. 

"I shall throw them away, Monsieur Flageot, if you dare to talk to melike that. He _is_ handsome, and you are jealous, and I am glad. You behaved horribly to that coarse Nanon last Sunday. Because shescrubs the steps of the French embassy you consider her above me, _me!_"

"You are crazy!" roared Pierre. "You introduced me to her so that youmight make eyes at that abominable valet of the secretary!"

Celeste flounced (whatever means of locomotion that is) abruptly fromthe kitchen. Pierre turned savagely to his protege. 

"Go! And eef you look at her, idiot, I haf revenge myself. Oh, I amcalm! Bah! Go to zee stables, cattle!" And he rattled his pans at agreat rate. 

Warburton was glad enough to escape. 

"I have brought discord into the land, it would seem. "

But his trials were not over. The worst ordeal was yet to come. Atfive, orders were given to harness the coach-horses to the coupe andhave them at the steps promptly at eight-thirty. Miss Annesley hadsignified her intention of making a call in the city. Warburton hadnot the slightest suspicion of the destination. He didn't care whereit was. It would be dark and he would pass unrecognized. He gave theorder no more thought. Promptly at eight-thirty he drove up to thesteps. A moment later she issued forth, accompanied by a gentleman inevening dress. It was too dark for Warburton to distinguish hisfeatures. 

"I am very sorry, Count, to leave you; but you understand perfectly. It is an old school friend of mine whom I haven't seen in a longtime; one of the best girl friends I have ever known. I promised todine with her to-night, but I broke that promise and agreed to spendthe evening. "

"Do not disturb yourself on my account, " replied the man in brokenEnglish, which was rather pleasant to the ear. "Your excellent fatherand I can pass the evening very well. "

Karloff! Warburton's chin sank into his collar and his handstrembled. This man Karloff had very penetrating eyes, even in thedark. 

"But I shall miss the music which I promised myself. Ah, if you onlyknew how adorable you are when you play the violin! I become lost, Iforget the world and its sordidness. I forget everything but thatmysterious voice which you alone know how to arouse from that littlebox of wood. You are a great artist, and if you were before thepublic, the world would go mad over you--as I have!"

So she played the violin, thought the unhappy man on the box of thecoupe. 

"Count, you know that is taboo; you must not talk to me like that, "--with a nervous glance at the groom. 

"The groom embarrasses you?" The count laughed. "Well, it is only agroom, an animal which does not understand these things. "

"Besides, I do not play nearly so well as you would have mebelieve, "--steering him to safer channels. 

"Whatever you undertake, Mademoiselle, becomes at once an art, "--gallantly. "Good night!"--and the count saluted her hand as he helpedher into the coupe. 

How M'sieu Zhames would have liked to jump down and pommel Monsieurle Comte! Several wicked thoughts surged through our jehu's brain, but to execute any one of them in her presence was impossible. 

"Good night, Count. I shall see you at dinner on Monday. "

She would, eh? And her new butler would be on duty that same evening?Without a doubt. M'sieu Zhames vowed under his breath that if he gota good chance he would make the count look ridiculous. Not even aking can retain his dignity while a stream of hot soup is tricklingdown his spinal column. Warburton smiled. He was mentally acting likea school-boy disappointed in love. His own keen sense of the humorouscame to his rescue. 

"James, to the city, No. --Scott Circle, and hurry. " The door closed. 

Scott Circle? Warburton's spine wrinkled. Heaven help him, he wasdriving Miss Annesley to his own brother's house! What the devil wasgetting into fate, anyhow? He swore softly all the way to theConnecticut Avenue extension. He made three mistakes before he struckSixteenth Street. Reaching Scott Circle finally, he had no difficultyin recognizing the house. He drew up at the stepping-stone, alightedand opened the door. 

"I shall be gone perhaps an hour and a half, James. You may drivearound, but return sharply at ten-thirty. " Betty ran up the steps andrang the bell. 

Our jehu did _not_ wait to see the door open, but drove away, lickety-clip. I do not know what a mile lickety-clip is generallymade in, but I am rather certain that the civil law demands twenty-five dollars for the same. The gods were with him this time, and noone called him to a halt. When he had gone as far away from ScottCircle as he dared go, his eye was attracted by a genial cigar sign. He hailed a boy to hold the horses and went inside. He bought a dozencigars and lit one. He didn't even take the trouble to see if hecould get the cigars for nothing, there being a penny-in-the-slotmachine in one corner of the shop. I am sure that if he had noticedit, it would have enticed him, for the spirit of chance was well-grounded in him, as it is in all Army men. But he hurried out, threwthe boy a dime, and drove away. For an hour and twenty minutes hedrove and smoked and pondered. So she played the violin! played itwonderfully, as the count had declared. He was passionately fond ofmusic. In London, in Paris, in Berlin, in Vienna, he had been anuntiring, unfailing patron of the opera. Some night he resolved tolisten at the window, providing the window was open. Yes, a hundredtimes Chuck was right. Any other girl, and this jest might havepassed capitally; but he wanted the respect of this particular woman, and he had carelessly closed the doors to her regard. She mighttolerate him, that would be all. She would look upon him as ahobbledehoy. 

He approached the curb again in front of the house, and gazedwistfully at the lighted windows. Here was another great opportunitygone. How he longed to dash into the house, confess, and have donewith it!

"I wish Chuck was in there. I wish he would come out and kick me goodand hearty. "

(Chuck would have been delighted to perform the trifling service; andhe would not have gone about it with any timidity, either. )

"Hang the horses! I'm going to take a peek in at the side window, "--and he slid cautiously from the box. He stole around the side andstopped at one of the windows. The curtain was not wholly lowered, and he could see into the drawing-room. There they were, all of them;and Miss Annesley was holding the baby, which Mrs. Jack had awakenedand brought down stairs. He could see by the diffident manner inwhich Jack was curling the ends of his mustache that they werecomparing the baby with him. "The conceited ass!" muttered the self-appointed outcast; "it doesn't look any more like him than it doeslike me!" Here Miss Annesley kissed the baby, and Warburton hopedthat they hadn't washed its face since he performed the same act. 

Mrs. Jack disappeared with the hope of the family, and Nancy got outa bundle of photographs. M'sieu Zhames would have given almostanything he possessed to know what these photographs represented. Crane his neck as he would, he could see nothing. All he could do wasto watch. Sometimes they laughed, sometimes they became grave;sometimes they explained, and their guest grew very attentive Onceshe even leaned forward eagerly. It was about this time that our jehuchanced to look at the clock on the mantel, and immediately concludedto vacate the premises. It was half after ten. He returned to his boxforthwith. (I was going to use the word "alacrity, " but I find thatit means "cheerful readiness. ") After what seemed to him aninterminable wait, the front door opened and a flood of light blindedhim. He heard Nancy's voice. 

"I'm so sorry, Betty, that I can't dine with you on Monday. We aregoing to Arlington. So sorry. "

"I'm not!" murmured the wretch on the box. "I'm devilish glad!Imagine passing soup to one's sister! By George, it was a narrow one!It would have been all over then. "

"Well, there will be plenty of times this winter, " said Betty. "Ishall see you all at the Country Club Sunday afternoon. Good night, every one. No, no; there's no need of any of you coming to thecarriage. "

But brother Jack _did_ walk to the door with her; however, hegave not the slightest attention to the groom, for which _he_was grateful. 

"You must all come and spend the evening with me soon, " said Betty, entering the carriage. 

"That we shall, " said brother Jack, closing the door for her. "Goodnight. "

"Home, James, " said the voice within the carriage. 

I do not know whether or not he slept soundly that night on hisstable cot. He never would confess. But it is my private opinion thathe didn't sleep at all, but spent a good part of the night out ofdoors, smoking very black, strong cigars. 

Celeste, however, could have told you that her mistress, as sheretired, was in a most amiable frame of mind. Once she laughed. 

XIII

A RUNAWAY

Four days passed. I might have used the word "sped, " only that verbcould not be truthfully applied. Never before in the history of time(so our jehu thought) did four days cast their shadows more slowlyacross the dial of the hours. From noon till night there was amadding nothing to do but polish bits and buckles and stirrups andornamental silver. He would have been totally miserable but for themorning rides. These were worth while; for he was riding Pirate, andthere was always that expectation of the unexpected. But Piratebehaved himself puzzlingly well. Fortunately for the jehu, theserides were always into the north country. He was continuallypossessed with fear lest she would make him drive through theshopping district. If he met Nancy, it would be, in the parlance ofthe day, all off. Nancy would have recognized him in a beard like aCossack's; and here he was with the boy's face--the face she neverwould forget. 

He was desperately in love. I do not know what desperately in loveis, my own love's course running smoothly enough; but I can testifythat it was making Mr. Robert thin and appetiteless. Every morningthe impulse came to him to tell her all; but every morning hiscourage oozed like Bob Acres', and his lips became dumb. I dare saythat if she had questioned him he would have told her all; but forsome reason she had ceased to inquire into his past. Possibly heryoung mind was occupied with pleasanter things. 

He became an accomplished butler, and served so well in rehearsalsthat Pierre could only grumble. One afternoon she superintended thecomedy. She found a thousand faults with him, so many, in fact, thatPierre did not understand what it meant, and became possessed withthe vague idea that she was hitting him over the groom's shoulder. Hedid not like it; and later, when they were alone, Warburton wasdistinctly impressed with Pierre's displeasure. 

"You can not please _her_, and you can not please _me_. Bah! Zat ees vat comes uf teaching a groom table manners instead ufstable manners. And you vill smell uf horse! I do _not_understand Mees Annesley; no!"

[Illustration: "May I go now, Miss?"--ACT II]

And there were other humiliations, petty ones. She chid him on havingthe stirrup too long or too short; the curb chain was rusting; thispiece of ornamental silver did not shine like that one; Jane'sfetlocks were too long; Pirate's hoofs weren't thoroughly oiled. Withdogged patience he tried to remedy all these faults. It was only whenthey had had a romping run down the road that this spirit fell awayfrom her, and she talked pleasantly. 

Twice he ran into Karloff; but that shrewd student of human naturedid not consider my hero worth studying; a grave mistake on his part, as he was presently to learn. He was a handsome man, and the onlything he noticed about the groom was his handsome face. He consideredit a crime for a servant to be endowed with personal attractions. Aservant in the eyes of a Russian noble excites less interest than abreedless dog. Mr. Robert made no complaint; he was very wellsatisfied to have the count ignore him entirely. Once he met thecount in the Turkish room, where, in the capacity of butler, heserved liqueur and cigars. There was a certain grim humor in lightinghis rival's cigar for him. This service was a test of his ability topass through a room without knocking over taborets and chairs. Another time they met, when Betty and the two of them took a longride. Karloff _did_ notice how well the groom rode his mettlesomemount, being himself a soldier and a daring horseman. Warburtonhad some trouble. Pirate did not take to the idea of breathing Janeand Dick's dust; he wanted to lead these second-raters. Mr, James'arms ached that afternoon from the effort he had put forth to restrainPirate and keep him in his proper place, five yards to the rear. 

Nothing happened Sunday; the day went by uneventfully. He escaped theordeal of driving her to the Chevy Chase Club, William being up thatafternoon. 

Then Monday came, and with it Betty's curious determination to ridePirate. 

"You wish to ride Pirate, Miss?" exclaimed James, his horror of theidea openly manifest. 

"Saddle him for me, "--peremptorily. "I desire to ride him. I findJane isn't exciting enough. "

"Pardon me, Miss Annesley, " he said, "but I had rather you would notmake the attempt. "

"You had rather I would not make the attempt?"--slowly repeating thewords, making a knife of each one of them, tipped with the poison ofher contempt. "I do not believe I quite understand you. "

He bravely met the angry flash of her eyes. There were times when thecolor of these eyes did not resemble sapphires; rather disks of gun-metal, caused by a sudden dilation of the pupils. 

"Yes, Miss, I had rather you would not. "

"James, you forget yourself. Saddle Pirate, and take Jane back to thestables. Besides, Jane has a bit of a cold. " She slapped her bootwith her riding-crop and indolently studied the scurrying cloudsoverhead; for the day was windy. 

Soberly Warburton obeyed. He was hurt and angry, and he knew not whatbesides. Heavens, if anything should happen to her! His hopes rose abit. Pirate had shown no temper so far that morning. He docilelypermitted his master to put on the side-saddle. But as he came outinto the air again, he threw forward his ears, stretched out his longblack neck, took in a great breath, and whinnied a hoarse challengeto the elements. William had already saddled Dick, who looked askanceat his black rival's small compact heels. 

"I am afraid of him, " said Warburton, as he returned. "He will runaway with you. I did not wholly subjugate him the other day. He pullstill my arms ache. "

Miss Annesley shrugged and patted Pirate on the nose and offered hima lump of sugar. The thirst for freedom and a wild run down the windlurked in Pirate's far-off gazing eyes, and he ignored the sign ofconciliation which his mistress made him. 

"I am not afraid of him. Besides, Dick can outrun and out jump him. "

This did not reassure Warburton, nor did he know what this comparisonmeant, being an ordinary mortal. 

"With all respect to you, Miss Annesley, I am sorry that you aredetermined to ride him. He is most emphatically not a lady's horse, and you have never ridden him. Your skirts will irritate him, and ifhe sees your crop, he'll bolt. "

She did not reply, but merely signified her desire to mount. Nosooner was she up, however, than she secretly regretted her caprice;but not for a hundred worlds would she have permitted this groom toknow. But Pirate, with that rare instinct of the horse, knew that hismistress was not sure of him. He showed the whites of his eyes andbegan pawing the gravel. The girl glanced covertly at her groom andfound no color in his cheeks. Two small muscular lumps appeared atthe corners of her jaws. She would ride Pirate, and nothing shouldstop her; nothing, nothing. Womanlike, knowing herself to be in thewrong, she was furious. 

And Pirate surprised them both. During the first mile he behavedhimself in the most gentlemanly fashion; and if he shied once ortwice, waltzed a little, it was only because he was full of life andspirit. They trotted, they cantered, ran and walked. Warburton, hitherto holding himself in readiness for whatever might happen, relaxed the tension of his muscles, and his shoulders sankrelievedly. Perhaps, after all, his alarm had been needless. Thetrouble with Pirate might be the infrequency with which he had beensaddled and ridden. But he knew that the girl would not soon forgethis interference. There would be more humiliations, more bitter pillsfor him to swallow. It pleased him, however, to note the ease withwhich Dick kept pace with Pirate. 

As for the most beautiful person in all the great world, I am afraidthat she was beginning to feel self-important. Now that herconfidence was fully restored, she never once spoke to, or looked at, her groom. Occasionally from the corner of her eye she could see thewhite patch on Dick's nose. 

"James, " she said maliciously and suddenly, "go back five yards. Iwish to ride alone. "

Warburton, his face burning, fell back. And thus she made her firstmistake. The second and final mistake came immediately after. Shetouched Pirate with her heel, and he broke from a trot into a livelygallop. Dick, without a touch of the boot, kept his distance to afoot. Pirate, no longer seeing Dick at his side, concluded that hehad left his rival behind; and the suppressed mischief in his blackhead began to find an outlet. Steadily he arched his neck; steadilybut surely he drew down on the reins. The girl felt the effort andtried to frustrate it. In backing her pull with her right hand, theend of her crop flashed down the side of Pirate's head--the finishingtouch. There was a wild leap, a blur of dust, and Mr. Pirate, wellnamed after his freebooting sires, his head down where he wanted it, his feet rolling like a snare-drum, Mr. Pirate ran away, headed forheaven only knew where. 

For a brief moment Warburton lost his nerve; he was struck withhorror. If she could not hold her seat, she would be killed ordreadfully hurt, and perhaps disfigured. It seemed rather strange, ashe recalled it, that Dick, instead of himself, should have taken theinitiative. The noble sorrel, formerly a cavalry horse, shot forwardmagnificently. Doubtless his horse-sense took in the situation, orelse he did not like the thought of yonder proud, supercilious show-horse beating him in a running race. So, a very fast mile was put tothe rear. 

The girl, appreciating her peril, did as all good horsewomen wouldhave done: locked her knee on the horn and held on. The rush of windtore the pins from her hair which, like a golden plume, stretched outbehind her. (Have you ever read anything like this before? I daresay. But to Warburton and the girl, it never occurred that otherpersons had gone through like episodes. It was real, and actual, andsingle, and tragic to them. )

The distance between the two horses began slowly to lessen, andWarburton understood, in a nebulous way, what the girl had meant whenshe said that Dick could outrun Pirate. If Pirate kept to the road, Dick would bring him down; but if Pirate took it into his head tovault a fence! Warburton shuddered. Faster, faster, over this roll ofearth, clattering across this bridge, around this curve and thatangle. Once the sight of a team drawing a huge grain-wagon sent ashiver to Warburton's heart. But they thundered past with a foot tospare. The old negro on the seat stared after them, his ebony facedrawn with wonder and the whites of his eyes showing. 

Foot by foot, yard by yard, the space lessened, till Dick's nose waswithin three feet of Pirate's flowing tail. Warburton fairly liftedDick along with his knees. I only wish I could describe the race asmy jehu told it to me. The description held me by the throat. I couldsee the flashing by of trees and houses and fields; the scampering ofpiccaninnies across the road; the horses from the meadows dashing upto the fences and whinnying; the fine stone and dust which Pirate'srattling heels threw into my jehu's face and eyes; the old painthrobbing anew in his leg. And when he finally drew alongside theblack brute and saw the white, set face of the girl he loved, I canimagine no greater moment but one in his life. There was no fear onher face, but there was appeal in her eyes as she half turned herhead. He leaned across the intervening space and slid his arm aroundher waist. The two horses came together and twisted his leg cruelly. His jaws snapped. 

"Let the stirrup go!" he cried. "Let go, quick!" She heard him. "Yourknee from the horn! I can't keep them together any longer. Now!"

Brave and plucky and cool she was. She obeyed him instantly. Therewas a mighty heave, a terrible straining of the back and the knees, and Pirate was freed of his precious burden. The hardest part of itcame now. Dick could not be made to slow down abruptly. He wanted tokeep right on after his rival. So, between holding the girl with hisright arm and pulling the horse with his left, Warburton saw that hecould keep up this terrible effort but a very short time. Her armswere convulsively wound around his neck, and this added to thestrain. Not a word did she say; her eyes were closed, as if sheexpected any moment to be dashed to the earth. 

But Dick was only a mortal horse. The fierce run and the doubleburden began to tell, and shortly his head came up. Warburton stoppedhim. The girl slid to the ground, and in a moment he was at her side. And just in time. The reaction was too much for her. Dazedly shebrushed her hair from her eyes, stared wildly at Warburton, andfainted. He did not catch her with that graceful precision which onthe stage is so familiar to us. No. He was lucky to snatch one of herarms, thus preventing her head from striking the road. He dragged herto the side of the highway and rested her head on his shaking knees. Things grew dark for a time. To tell the truth, he himself was veryclose to that feminine weakness which the old fellows, in their roughand ready plays, used to call "vapours". But he forced his heart tosteady itself. 

And what do you suppose the rascal did--with nobody but Dick towatch him? Why, he did what any healthy young man in love would havedone: pressed his lips to the girl's hair, his eyes filling and halfa sob in his parched throat. He dolefully pictured himself a modernAntiochus, dying of love and never confessing it. Then he kissed herhair again; only her hair, for somehow he felt that her lips andcheeks were as yet inviolable to his touch. I should have liked tosee the picture they made: the panting horse a dozen rods away, looking at them inquiringly; the girl in her dust-covered habit, herhair spreading out like seaweed on a wave, her white face, her figureshowing its graceful lines; my jehu, his hair matted to his brow, thestreaks of dust and perspiration on his face, the fear and love andlonging in his dark eyes. I recollect a picture called _Love andHonor, _ or something like that. It never appealed to me. It lackedaction. It simply represented a fellow urging a girl to elope withhim. Both of them were immaculately dressed. But here, on this oldhighway leading into Maryland, was something real. A battle had beenfought and won. 

Fainting is but transitory; by and by she opened her eyes, and staredvaguely into the face above her. I do not know what she saw there;whatever it was it caused her to struggle to her feet. There wascolor enough in her cheeks now; and there was a question, too, in hereyes. Of Warburton it asked, "What did you do when I lay thereunconscious?" I'm afraid there was color in his face, too. Her gazeimmediately roved up the road. There was no Pirate, only a haze ofdust. Doubtless he was still going it, delighted over the trouble hehad managed to bring about. Warburton knelt at the girl's side andbrushed the dust from her skirt. She eyed him curiously. I shan't saythat she smiled; I don't know, for I wasn't there. 

Meanwhile she made several futile attempts to put up her hair, and asa finality she braided it and let it hang down her back. Suddenly andunaccountably she grew angry--angry at herself, at James, at therascally horse that had brought her to this pass. Warburton sawsomething of this emotion in her eyes, and to avoid the storm hewalked over to Dick, picked up the reins, and led him back. 

"If you will mount Dick, Miss, " he said, "I will lead him home. It'sabout five miles, I should say. "

The futility and absurdity of her anger aroused her sense of theridiculous; and a smile, warm and merry, flashed over her stainedface. It surprised her groom. 

"Thank you, James. You were right. I ought not to have ridden Pirate. I am punished for my conceit. Five miles? It will be a long walk. "

"I shan't mind it in the least, " replied James, inordinately happy;and he helped her to the saddle and adjusted the left stirrup. 

So the journey home began. Strangely enough, neither seemed to careparticularly what had or might become of Pirate. He disappeared, mentally and physically. One thing dampened the journey forWarburton. His "game leg" ached cruelly, and after the second mile(which was traversed without speech from either of them), he fellinto a slight limp. From her seat above and behind him, she saw thislimp. 

"You have hurt yourself?" she asked gently. 

"Not to-day, Miss, "--briefly. 

"When he ran away with you?"

"No. It's an old trouble. "

"While you were a soldier?"

"Yes. "

"How?"

He turned in surprise. All these questions were rather unusual. Nevertheless he answered her, and truthfully. 

"I was shot in the leg by a drunken Indian. "

"While on duty?"

"Yes. " Unconsciously he was forgetting to add "Miss", which was thepatent of his servility. And I do not think that just then shenoticed this subtraction from the respect due her. 

It was eleven o'clock when they arrived at the gates. She dismountedalone. Warburton was visibly done up. 

"Any orders for this afternoon, Miss?"

"I shall want the victoria at three. I have some shopping to do and acall to make. Send William after Pirate. I am very grateful for whatyou have done. "

He made no reply, for he saw her father coming down the steps. 

"Betty, " said the colonel, pale and worried, "have you been ridingPirate? Where is he, and what in the world has happened?"--noting thedust on her habit and her tangled hair. 

She explained: she told the story rather coolly, Warburton thought, but she left out no detail. 

"You have James to thank for my safety, father. He was very calm andclear-headed. "

_Calm and clear-headed!_ thought Warburton. 

The girl then entered the house, humming. Most women would have gotout the lavender salts and lain down the rest of the day, consideringthe routine of a fashionable dinner, which was the chief duty of theevening. 

"I am grateful to you, James. My daughter is directly in your carewhen she rides, and I give you full authority. Never permit her tomount any horse but her own. She is all I have; and if anythingshould happen to her--"

"Yes, sir; I understand. "

The colonel followed his daughter; and Warburton led Dick to thestables, gave his orders to William, and flung himself down on hiscot. He was dead tired. And the hour he had dreaded was come! He wasto drive her through the shopping district. Well, so be it. If anyone exposed him, very good. This groom business was decidedly likework. And there was that confounded dinner-party, and he would haveto limp around a table and carry soup plates! And as likely as not hewould run into the very last person he expected to see. 

Which he did. 

XIV

AN ORDEAL OR TWO

Mr. Robert vows that he will never forgive me for the ten minutes'agony which I gratuitously added to his measure. It came about inthis wise. I was on my way down Seventeenth Street that afternoon, and it was in front of a fashionable apartment house that I met him. He was seated on his box, the whip at the proper angle, and his eyesriveted on his pair's ears. It was the first time I had seen himsince the day of the episode at the police-station. He was growingthin. He did not see me, and he did not even notice me till I stoppedand the sound of my heels on the walk ceased. Arms akimbo, I surveyedhim. 

"Well?" I began. I admit that the smile I offered him was a deal likethat which a cat offers a cornered mouse. 

He turned his head. I shall not repeat the word he muttered. It wasvery improper, though they often refer to it in the Sabbath-schools, always in a hushed breath, however, as though to full-voice it wouldonly fan the flames still higher. 

"What have you to say for yourself?" I went on. 

"Nothing for myself, but for you, move on and let me alone, or when Iget the opportunity, Chuck, I'll punch your head, glasses or noglasses. "

"Brother-in-law or no brother-in-law. "

"Chuck, will you go on?"--hoarsely. "I mean it"

I saw that he did. "You don't look very happy for a man who hascracked so tremendous a joke. "

"Will you go along?"

"Not till I get good and ready, James. I've told too many lies onyour account already not to make myself a present of this joyfulreunion. Has Miss Annesley any idea of the imposture?"

He did not answer. 

"How did you like waiting in Scott Circle the other night?"

Still no answer. I have half an idea that he was making ready to leapfrom his box. He ran his fingers up and down the lines. I could seethat he was mad through and through; but I enjoyed the scenenevertheless. He deserved a little roasting on the gridiron. 

"I am given to understand, " I continued, "that you act as butler, besides, and pass the soup around the table. "

Silence. Then I heard a door close, and saw a look of despair grow onhis face. I turned and saw Miss Annesley and Mrs. Chadwick comingdown the steps. 

"Why, how do you do, Mr. Henderson? Mrs. Chadwick. "

"I have already had the pleasure of meeting this famous youngorator, " purred Mrs. Chadwick, giving me her hand. She was afashionable, not to say brilliant, _intrigante_. I knew her tohave been concerned indirectly with half a dozen big lobby schemes. She was rather wealthy. But she was seen everywhere, and everywherewas admired. She was as completely at home abroad as here inWashington. She was a widow, perhaps thirty-eight, handsome andfascinating, a delightful _raconteur_, and had the remarkablereputation of never indulging in scandal. She was the repository ofmore secrets than I should care to discover. 

I recall one night at a state function when she sat between theFrench ambassador and that wily Chinaman, Li Hung Chang. Shediscoursed on wines in French with the ambassador and immediatelyturned to the Chinaman and recited Confucius in the original Chinese. Where she had ever found time to study Chinese is a mystery to everyone. The incident made her quite famous that winter. Brains arealways tolerated in Washington, and if properly directed, push aperson a good deal further than wealth or pedigree. Washingtonforgives everything but stupidity. 

Not until recently did I learn that at one time Karloff had been veryattentive to her. His great knowledge of American politics doubtlesscame to him through her. 

"Where are you bound?" asked Miss Annesley. 

"I am on the way to the War Department. "

"Plenty of room; jump in and we shall drop you there. James, drive tothe War Department. "

Ordinarily I should have declined, as I generally prefer to walk; butin this instance it would be superfluous to say that I was delightedto accept the invitation. I secretly hugged myself as I thought ofthe driver. 

"How is Miss Warburton?" asked Miss Annesley, as she settled backamong the cushions. 

"Beautiful as ever, " I replied, smiling happily, "You must meet Miss Warburton, Grace, "--speaking to Mrs. Chadwick, who looked at me with polite inquiry. "One of the most charming girlsin the land, and as good as she is beautiful. Mr. Henderson is themost fortunate of young men. "

"So I admit. She was greatly disappointed that you did not meet heryounger brother. " First shot at the groom. 

"I did expect to meet him, but I understand that he has gone on ahunting expedition. Whom does he resemble?"

"Neither Nancy nor Jack, " I said. "He's a good-looking beggar, though, only you can't depend upon him for five minutes at a time. Hadn't seen the family in more than two years. Spends one night athome, and is off again, no one knows where. Some persons likehim, but I like a man with more stability. Not but what he has his goodpoints; but he is a born vagabond. His brother expects to get him aberth at Vienna and is working rather successfully toward that end. "I wondered how this bit of news affected the groom. 

"A diplomat?" said Mrs. Chadwick. "That is the life for a young manwith brains. Is he a good linguist?"

"Capital! Speaks French, German, and Spanish, besides I don't knowhow many Indian sign-languages. " Now I was patting the groom on theback. I sat facing the ladies, so it was impossible to see theexpression on his face. I kept up this banter till we arrived at theDepartment. I bade the ladies good day. I do not recollect when Ienjoyed ten minutes more thoroughly. 

An hour in the shopping district, that is to say, up and downPennsylvania Avenue, where everybody who was anybody was similarlyoccupied, shopping, nearly took the spine out of our jehu. Everywherehe imagined he saw Nancy. And half a dozen times he saw persons whomhe knew, persons he had dined with in New York, persons he had metabroad. But true to human nature, they were looking toward higherthings than a groom in livery. When there was no more room forbundles, the women started for Mrs. Chadwick's apartments. 

Said Mrs. Chadwick in French: "Where, in the name of uncommon things, did you find such a handsome groom?"

"I _was_ rather lucky, " replied Miss Annesley in the sametongue. "Don't you see something familiar about him?"

Warburton shuddered. 

"Familiar? What do you mean?"

"It is the groom who ran away with us. "

"Heavens, no!" Mrs. Chadwick raised her lorgnette. "Whateverpossessed you?"

"Mischief, as much as anything. "

"But the risk!"

"I am not afraid. There was something about him that appeared verymuch like a mystery, and you know how I adore mysteries. "

"And this is the fellow we saw in the police-court, sitting amongthose light o' loves?" Mrs. Chadwick could not fully express hersurprise. 

"I can't analyze the impulse which prompted me to pay his fine andengage him. "

"And after that affair at the carriage-door! Where is your pride?"

"To tell the truth, I believe he did make a mistake. Maybe I hiredhim because I liked his looks. " Betty glanced amusedly at the groom, whose neck and ears were red. She laughed. 

"You always were an extraordinary child. I do not understand it inthe least. I am even worried. He may be a great criminal. "

"No, not a great criminal, " said Betty, recollecting the ride of thatmorning; "but a first-class horseman, willing and obedient. I havebeen forced to make James serve as butler. He has been under thehands of our cook, and I have been watching them. How I have laughed!Of all droll scenes!"

So she had laughed, eh? Warburton's jaws snapped. She had beenwatching, too?

"I rode Pirate this morning--"

"You rode that horse?" interrupted Mrs. Chadwick. 

"Yes, and he ran away with me in fine style. If it hadn't been forthe new groom, I shouldn't be here, and the dinner would be a dismalfailure, with me in bed with an arm or leg broken. Heavens! I neverwas so frightened in all my life. We went so fast against the windthat I could scarce breathe. And when it was all over, I fainted likea ninny. "

"Fainted! I should have thought you would. _I_ should havefallen off the animal and been killed. Betty, you certainly haveneither forethought nor discretion. The very idea of your attemptingto ride that animal!"

"Well, I am wiser, and none the worse for the scare. .. . James, stop, stop!" Betty cried suddenly. 

When this command struck his sense of hearing, James was pretty faraway in thought. He was wondering if all this were true. If it was, he must make the best of it; but if it was a dream, he wanted to wakeup right away, because it was becoming nightmarish. 

"James!" The end of a parasol tickled him in the ribs and he drew upsomewhat frightened. What was going to happen now? He was soon tofind out. For this was to be the real climax of the day; or at least, the incident was pregnant with the possibilities of a climax. 

"Colonel, surely you are not going to pass us by in this fashion?"cried the girl. They were almost opposite the Army and Navy Club. 

"Why, is that you, Miss Betty? Pass you by? Only when I grow blind!"roared a lion-like voice. "Very glad to see you, Mrs. Chadwick. "

That voice, of all the voices he had ever heard! A chill ofindescribable terror flew up and down my jehu's spine, and his poresclosed up. He looked around cautiously. It was he, he of all men: hisregimental colonel, who possessed the most remarkable memory of anyArmy man west of the Mississippi, and who had often vowed that heknew his subalterns so well that he could always successfullyprescribe for their livers!

"I was just about to turn into the club for my mail, " declared thecolonel. "It was very good of you to stop me. I'll wager you've beenspeculating in the shops, "--touching the bundles with his cane. "Youwin, " laughed Betty. "But I'll give you a hundred guesses in which tofind out what any of these packages contains. "

"Guessing is a bad business. Whatever these things are, they can addbut little to the beauty of those who will wear them; for I presumeMrs. Chadwick has some claim upon these bundles. "

"Very adroitly worded, " smiled Mrs. Chadwick, who loved a silkenphrase. 

"We shall see you at dinner to-night?"

"All the battalions of England could not keep me away from thatfestive board, " the colonel vowed. (Another spasm for the groom!)"And how is that good father of yours?"

"As kind and loving as ever. "

"I wish you could have seen him in the old days in Virginia, " saidthe colonel, who, like all old men, continually fell back upon thereminiscent. "Handsomest man in the brigade, and a fight made him ashappy as a bull-pup. I was with him the day he first met yourmother, "--softly. "How she humiliated him because he wore the blue!She was obliged to feed him--fortunes of war; but I could see thatshe hoped each mouthful would choke him. "

"What! My mother wished that?"

Mrs. Chadwick laughed. The groom's chin sank into his collar. 

"Wait a moment! She wasn't in love with him then. We were camped onthat beautiful Virginian home of yours for nearly a month. You knowhow courtly he always was and is. Well, to every rebuff he repliedwith a smile and some trifling favor. She never had to lift herfinger about the house. But one thing he was firm in: she should sitat the same table during the meals. And when Johnston came thunderingdown that memorable day, and your father was shot in the lungs andfell with a dozen saber cuts besides, you should have seen thechange! He was the prisoner now, she the jailer. In her own white bedshe had him placed, and for two months she nursed him. Ah, that wasthe prettiest love affair the world ever saw. "

"And why have you not followed his example?" asked Mrs. Chadwick. 

The colonel gazed thoughtfully at his old comrade's daughter, and hesaw pity and unbounded respect in her eyes. "They say that for everyheart there is a mate, but I do not believe it. Sometimes there aretwo hearts that seek the same mate. One or the other must win orlose. You will play for me to-night?"

"As often and as long as you please, "--graciously. She was very fondof this upright old soldier, whom she had known since babyhood. 

It was now that the colonel casually turned his attention to thegroom, He observed him. First, his gray eyebrows arched abruptly insurprise, then sank in puzzlement. 

"What is it?" inquired Betty, noting these signs. 

"Nothing; nothing of importance, " answered the colonel, growingviolently red. 

It would not be exaggerating to say that if the colonel turned red, his one-time orderly grew purple, only this purple faded quickly intoa chalky pallor. 

"Well, perhaps I am keeping you, " remarked the colonel, soberly, "Ishall hold you to your promise about the music. "

"We are to have plenty of music. There will foe a famous singer and afine pianist. "

"You will play that what-d'-ye-call-it from Schumann I like so well. I shall want you to play that I want something in the way of memoryto take back West with me. Good-by, then, till to-night. "

"Good-by. All right, James; home, " said the girl. James relievedlytouched his horses. 

The colonel remained standing at the curb till the victoriadisappeared. Of what he was thinking I don't know; but he finallymuttered "James?" in an inquiring way, and made for the club, shakinghis head, as if suddenly confronted by a remarkably abstruse problem. 

Further on I shall tell you how he solved it. 

XV

RETROSPECTIVE

Show me those invisible, imperceptible steps by which a man's honorfirst descends; show me the way back to the serene altitude of cleanconscience, and I will undertake to enlighten you upon the secret ofevery great historical event, tragic or otherwise. If you will searchhistory carefully, you will note that the basic cause of all greatevents, such as revolutions, civil strifes, political assassinations, foreign wars, and race oppressions, lay not in men's honor so much asin some one man's dishonor. A man, having committed a dishonorableact, may reestablish himself in the eyes of his fellow-beings, butever and ever he silently mocks himself and dares not look into themirror of his conscience. 

Honor is comparative, as every one will agree. It is only in thehighly developed mind that it reaches its superlative state. Eitherthis man becomes impregnable to the assaults of the angel of thepitch robes, or he boldly plunges into the frightful blackness whichsurrounds her. The great greed of power, the great greed of wealth, the great greed of hate, the great greed of jealousy, and the greatgreed of love, only these tempt him. 

Now, of dishonors, which does man hold in the greatest abhorrence?This question needs no pondering. It may be answered simply. Themurderer, the thief, and the rogue--we look upon these callously. ButJudas! Treachery to our country! This is the nadir of dishonor;nothing could be blacker. We never stop to look into the causes, nordoes history, that most upright and impartial of judges; we brandinstantly. Who can tell the truth about Judas Iscariot, and BenedictArnold, and the host of others? I can almost tolerate a Judas whobetrays for a great love. There seems to be a stupendous eliminationof self in the man who betrays for those he loves, braving theconsequences, the ignominy, the dishonor, the wretchedness; otherwiseI should not have undertaken to write this bit of history. 

To betray a friend, that is bad; to betray a woman, that is stillworse; but to betray one's country!-to commit an act which shallplace her at the mercy of her enemies! Ah, the ignoble deaths of themen who were guilty of this crime! And if men have souls, as we aretold they have, how the souls of these men must writhe as they lookinto the minds of living men and behold the horror and contempt inwhich each traitor's name is held there!

Have you ever thought of the legion of men who have been thrust backfrom the very foot of this precipice, either by circumstances or bythe revolt of conscience? These are the men who reestablishthemselves in the eyes of their fellow-beings, but who for eversilently mock themselves and dare not look into the mirror of theirconsciences. 

In this world motive is everything. A bad thing may be done for agood purpose, or, the other way around. This is the story of a crime, the motive of which was good. 

Once upon a time there lived a soldier, a gentleman born, a courtier, a man of fine senses, of high integrity, of tenderness, of courage;he possessed a splendid physical beauty, besides estates, and acomfortable revenue, or rather, he presided over one. Above all this, he was the father of a girl who worshiped him, and not withoutreason. What mysterious causes should set to work to ruin this man, to thrust him from light into darkness? What step led him to attemptto betray his country, even in times of peace, to dishonor his name, a name his honesty had placed high on the rolls of glory? Whatdefense can he offer? Well, I shall undertake to defend him; letyours be the verdict. 

Enforced idleness makes a criminal of a poor man; it urges the man ofmeans to travel. Having seen his native land, it was only naturalthat my defendant should desire to see foreign countries. So, accompanied by his child, he went abroad, visited the famouscapitals, and was the guest of honor at his country's embassies. Itwas a delightful period. Both were as happy as fate ever allows ahuman being to be. The father had received his honorable discharge, and till recently had held a responsible position in the WarDepartment. His knowledge had proved of no small value to thegovernment, for he was a born strategist, and his hobby was the coastdefenses. He never beheld a plan that he did not reproduce it on theback of an envelope, on any handy scrap of paper, and then pore overit through the night. He had committed to memory the smallestdetails, the ammunition supplies of each fort, the number of guns, the garrison, the pregnable and impregnable sides. He knew theresource of each, too; that is to say, how quickly aid could besecured, the nearest transportation routes, what forage might be had. He had even submitted plans for a siege gun. 

One day, in the course of their travels, the father and daughterstopped at Monte Carlo. Who hasn't heard of that city of fever? Whothat has seen it can easily forget its gay harbor, its beautifulwalks, its crowds, its music, its hotels, its white temple offortune? Now, my defendant had hitherto ignored the principality ofMonaco. The tales of terror which had reached his ears did notprepossess him in its favor. But his daughter had friends there, andshe wanted to see them. There would be dances on the private yacht, and dinners, and teas, and fireworks. On the third night of hisarrival he was joined by the owner of the yacht, a millionaire bankerwhose son was doing the honors as host. I believe that there was amusicale on board that night, and as the banker wasn't particularlyfond of this sort of entertainment, he inveigled his soldier friendto accompany him on a sight-seeing trip. At midnight they entered thetemple of fortune. At first the soldier demurred; but the banker toldhim that he hadn't seen Monte Carlo unless he saw the wheel goaround. So, laughing, they entered the halls. 

The passion for gaming is born in us all, man and woman alike, and isconceded by wise analysts to be the most furious of all passions andthe most lasting. In some, happily, the serpent sleeps for ever, thefire is for ever banked. But it needs only the opportunity to rousethe dull ember into flame, to stir the venom of the serpent. It seemsa simple thing to toss a coin on the roulette boards. Sometimes theact is done contemptuously, sometimes indifferently, sometimes in thespirit of fun and curiosity; but the result is always the same. 

The banker played for a while, won and lost, lost and won. Thesoldier put his hand into a pocket and drew forth a five-franc piece. He placed it on a number. The angel in the pitch robes is alwayslying in wait for man to make his first bad step; so she urgedfortune to let this man win. It is an unwritten law, high up onOlympus, that the gods must give to the gods; only the prayers of themortals go unanswered. 

So my defendant won. He laughed like a boy who had played marbles for"keeps" and had taken away his opponent's agates. His mind wasperfectly innocent of any wrong-doing. That night he won a thousandfrancs. His real first bad step was in hiding the escapade from hisdaughter. The following night he won again. Then he dallied about theflame till one night the lust of his forebears shone forth from hiseyes. The venom of the serpent spread, the ember grew into a flame. His daughter, legitimately enjoying herself with the young people, knew nothing nor dreamed. Indeed, he never entered the temple tillafter he had kissed her good night. 

He lost. He lost twice, thrice, in succession. One morning he woke upto the fact that he was several thousand dollars on the wrong side ofthe book. If the money had been his own, he would have stopped, andgone his way, cured. But it was money which he held in trust. He_must_ replace it. The angel in the pitch robes stood at hisside; she even laid a hand on his shoulder and urged him to win backwhat he had lost. Then indeed he could laugh, go his way, and gambleno more. This was excellent advice. That winter he lost somethinglike fifteen thousand. Then began the progress of decline. Thefollowing summer his losses were even greater than before. He beganto mortgage the estates, for his authority over his daughter'sproperty was absolute. He dabbled in stocks; a sudden fall in gold, and he realized that his daughter was nearly penniless. Ah, had hebeen alone, had the money been his, he would have faced poverty withall the courage of a brave man. But the girl, the girl! She mustnever know, she must never want for those luxuries to which she wasaccustomed. For her sake he must make one more effort He _must_win, must, must! He raised more money on the property. He becameirritable, nervous, to which were added sudden bursts of tendernesswhich the girl could not very well understand. 

The summer preceding the action of this tale saw them at Dieppe. Atone time he had recovered something between sixty and seventythousand of his losses. Ah, had he stopped then, confessed to hisdaughter, all would have gone well But, no; he must win the entiresum. He lost, lost, lost. The crash came in August. But a corner ofthe vast Virginian estates was left, and this did not amount totwenty thousand. Five francs carelessly tossed upon a roulette tablehad ruined and dishonored him. The angel of the pitch robes hadfairly enveloped him now. The thought that he had gambled uselesslyhis daughter's legacy, the legacy which her mother had leftconfidingly in his care, filled his soul with the bitterness of gall. And she continued the merry round of happiness, purchasing expensivegarments, jewelry, furs, the little things which women love; gavedinners and teas and dances, considered herself an heiress, andthought the world a very pleasant place to live in. Every laugh fromher was a thorn to him, the light of happiness in her eyes was areproach, for he knew that she was dancing toward the precipice whichhe had digged for her. 

Struggling futilely among these nettles of despair, he took the finalstep. His ruin became definitive. His evil goddess saw to it that anopportunity should present itself. (How simple all this reads! As Iread it over it does not seem credible. Think of a man who hasreached the height of his ambition, has dwelt there serenely, andthen falls in this silly, inexcusable fashion! Well, that is humannature, the human part of it. Only here and there do we fallgrandly. )

One starlit night he met a distinguished young diplomat, rich andhandsome. He played some, but to pass away the time rather than tocoquet with fortune. He was lucky. The man who plays for the mere funof it is generally lucky. He asks no favors from fortune; he does notpay any attention to her, and, woman-like, she is piqued. He wonheavily this night; my soldier lost correspondingly heavily. Thediplomat pressed a loan upon his new-found friend, who, with hisusual luck, lost it. 

The diplomat was presented to the daughter. They owned to mutualacquaintance in Paris and Washington. The three attended the concert. The girl returned to the hotel bubbling with happiness and the echoesof enchanting melodies, for she was an accomplished musician. Sheretired and left the two men to their coffee and cigars. Theconversation took several turns, and at length stopped at diplomacy, "It has always puzzled me, " said the soldier, "how Russia finds outall she does. "

"That is easily explained. Russia has the wisdom of the serpent. Hereis a man who possesses a secret which Russia must have. They studyhim. If he is gallant, one day he meets a fascinating woman; if he isgreedy, he turns to find a bowl of gold at his elbow; if he seekspower, Russia points out the shortest road. "

"But her knowledge of foreign army and naval strength?"

"Money does all that. Russia possesses an accurate knowledge of everyfort, ship and gun England boasts of; France, Germany, and Japan. Wehave never taken it into our heads to investigate America. Tillrecently your country as a foe to Russian interests had dropped belowthe horizon. And now Russia finds that she must proceed to do whatshe has done to all other countries; that is, duplicate her rival'sfortification plans, her total military and naval strength; and soforth, and so on. The United States is not an enemy, but there arepossibilities of her becoming so. Some day she must wrest Cuba fromSpain, and then she may become a recognized quantity in the Pacific. "

"The Pacific?"

"Even so. Having taken Cuba, the United States, to protect herwestern coast, will be forced to occupy the Philippines; and havingtaken that archipelago, she becomes a menace to Russian territorialexpansion in the far East. I do not always speak so frankly. But Iwish you to see the necessity of knowing all about your coastdefenses. "

"It can not be done!"--spiritedly. So far the American had onlygambled. 

"It can and will be done, " smiling. "Despite the watchfulness of yourofficials, despite your secret service, despite all obstacles, Russiawill quietly gain the required information. She possesses a key toevery lock. "

"And what might this key be?"--with tolerant irony. 

"Gold. "

"But if the United States found out what Russia was doing, theremight be war. "

"Nothing of the kind. Russia would simply deny all knowledge. The manwhom she selected to do the work would be discredited, banished, perhaps sent to Siberia to rot in the mines. No, there would be nowar. Russia would weigh all these possibilities in selecting her arm. She would choose a man of high intellect, rich, well-known in socialcircles, a linguist, a man acquainted with all histories and allphases of life, a diplomat, perhaps young and pleasing. You will say, why does he accept so base a task? When a Russian noble takes hisoath in the presence of his czar, he becomes simply an arm; he nolonger thinks, his master thinks for him. He only acts. So long as heoffers his services without remuneration, his honor remainsuntouched, unsullied. A paid spy is the basest of all creatures. "

"Count, take care that I do not warn my country of Russia's purpose. You are telling me very strange things. " The American eyed hiscompanion sharply. 

"Warn the United States? I tell you, it will not matter. All Russiawould need would be a dissatisfied clerk. What could he not do withhalf a million francs?" The diplomat blew a cloud of smoke throughhis nostrils and filliped the end of his cigarette. 

"A hundred thousand dollars?"

The diplomat glanced amusedly at his American friend. "I suppose thatsounds small enough to you rich Americans. But to a clerk it readswealth. "

The American was silent. A terrible thought flashed through hisbrain, a thought that he repulsed almost immediately. 

"Of course, I am only speculating; nothing has been done as yet. "

"Then something _is_ going to be done?" asked the American, clearing his voice. 

"One day or another. If we can not find the clerk, we shall lookhigher. We should consider a million francs well invested. America israpidly becoming a great power. But let us drop the subject and turnto something more agreeable to us both. Your daughter is charming. Ihonestly confess to you that I have not met her equal in any country. Pardon my presumption, but may I ask if she is engaged to bemarried?"

"Not to my knowledge, "--vastly surprised and at the same timepleased. 

"Are you averse to foreign alliances?" The diplomat dipped the end ofa fresh-lighted cigar into his coffee. 

"My dear Count, I am not averse to foreign alliances, but I rathersuspect that my daughter is. This aversion might be overcome, however. "

What a vista was opened to this wretched father! If only she mightmarry riches, how easily he might confess what he had done, howeasily all this despair and terror might be dispersed! And here was aman who was known in the great world, rich, young and handsome. 

The other gazed dreamily at the ceiling; from there his gaze traveledabout the coffee-room, with its gathering of coffee-drinkers, and atlength came back to his _vis-a-vis_. 

"You will return to Washington?" he asked. 

"I shall live there for the winter; that is, I expect to. "

"Doubtless we shall see each other this winter, then, "--and the countthrew away his cigar, bade his companion good night, and went to hisroom. 

How adroitly he had sown the seed! At that period he had no positiveidea upon what kind of ground he had cast it. But he took that chancewhich all far-sighted men take, and then waited. There was little hehad not learned about this handsome American with the beautifuldaughter. How he had learned will always remain dark to me. My ownopinion is that he had been studying him during his tenure of officein Washington, and, with that patience which is making Russia soformidable, waited for this opportunity. 

I shall give the Russian all the justice of impartiality. When he sawthe girl, he rather shrank from the affair. But he had gone too far, he had promised too much; to withdraw now meant his own defeat, hisgovernment's anger, his political oblivion. And there was a zest inthis life of his. He could no more resist the call of intrigue than agambler can resist the croupier's, "Make your game, gentlemen!" Ibelieve that he loved the girl the moment he set eyes upon her. Herbeauty and bearing distinguished her from the other women he had met, and her personality was so engaging that her conquest of him wascomplete and spontaneous. How to win this girl and at the same timeruin her father was an embarrassing problem. The plan which finallycame to him he repelled again and again, but at length hesurrendered. To get the parent in his power and then to coerce thegirl in case she refused him! To my knowledge this affair was thefirst dishonorable act of a very honorable man. But love makes foolsand rogues of us all. 

You will question my right to call this diplomat an honest man. As Ihave said elsewhere, honor is comparative. Besides, a diplomatgenerally falls into the habit of lying successfully to himself. 

When the American returned to the world, his cigar was out and hiscoffee was stale and cold. 

"A million francs!" he murmured. "Two hundred thousand!"

The seed had fallen on fruitful ground. 

XVI

THE PREVIOUS AFFAIR

Mrs. Chadwick had completed her toilet and now stood smiling in amost friendly fashion at the reflection in the long oval mirror. Sheaddressed this reflection in melodious tones. 

"Madam, you are really handsome; and let no false modesty whisper inyour ear that you are not. Few women in Washington have such clearskin, such firm flesh, such color. Thirty-eight? It is nothing. It isbut the half-way post; one has left youth behind, but one has notreached old age. Time must be very tolerant, for he has given you acareful selection. There were no years of storm and poverty, ofviolent passions; and if I have truly loved, it has been you, onlyyou. You are too wise and worldly to love any one but yourself. Andyet, once you stood on the precipice of dark eyes, pale skin, andmelancholy wrinkles. And even now, if he were to speak. .. Enough!Enough of this folly. I have something to accomplish to-night. " Sheglided from the boudoir into the small but luxurious drawing-roomwhich had often been graced by the most notable men and women in thecountry. 

Karloff threw aside the book of poems by De Banville, rose, and wentforward to meet her. 

"Madam, "--bending and brushing her hand with his lips, "Madam, yougrow handsomer every day. If I were forty, now, I should fear foryour single blessedness. "

"Or, if I were two-and-twenty, instead of eight-and-thirty, "--beginning to draw on her long white gloves. There was a challenge inher smile. 

"Well, yes; if you were two-and-twenty. "

"There was a time, not so long ago, " she said, drawing his gaze as amagnet draws a needle, "when the disparity in years was of nomatter. "

The count laughed. "That was three years ago; and, if my memoryserves me, you smiled. "

"Perhaps I was first to smile; that is all. "

"I observe a mental reservation, "--owlishly. 

"I will put it plainly, then. I preferred to smile over yourprotestations rather than see you laugh over the possibility and thefolly of my loving you. "

"Then it was possible?"--with interest. 

"Everything is possible . .. And often absurd. "

"How do you know that I was not truly in love with you?"--narrowinghis eyes. 

"It is not explanatory; it can be given only one name--instinct, which in women and animals is more fully developed than in man. Besides, at that time you had not learned all about Colonel Annesley, whose guests we are to be this evening. Whoever would have imagined aKarloff accepting the hospitalities of an Annesley? Count, hath notthy rose a canker?"

"Madam!" Karloff was frowning. 

"Count, you look like a paladin when you scowl; but scowling neverinduces anything but wrinkles. That is why we women frown so seldom. We smile. But let us return to your query. Supposing I had acceptedyour declarations seriously; supposing you had offered me marriage inthat burst of gratitude; supposing I _had_ committed the follyof becoming a countess: what a position I should be in to-day!"

"I do not understand, "--perplexedly. 

"No?"--shrugging. She held forth a gloved arm. "Have you forgottenhow gallantly you used to button my gloves?"

"A thousand pardons! My mind was occupied with the mystery of yourlong supposition. " He took the arm gracefully and proceeded to slipthe pearl buttons through their holes. (Have you ever buttoned thegloves of a handsome woman? I have. And there is a subtile thrillabout the proceeding which I can not quite define. Perhaps it is thenearness of physical beauty; perhaps it is the delicate scent offlowers; perhaps it is the touch of the cool, firm flesh; perhaps itis just romance. ) The gaze which she bent upon his dark head wasemotional; yet there was not the slightest tremor of arm or fingers. It is possible that she desired him to observe the steadiness of hernerves. "What did you mean?" he asked. 

"What did I mean?"--vaguely. Her thought had been elsewhere. 

"By that supposition. "

"Oh! I mean that my position, had I married you, would have beenrather anomalous to-day. " She extended the other arm. "You are inlove. "

"In love?" He looked up quickly. 

"Decidedly; and I had always doubted your capacity for thatsentiment. "

"And pray tell me, with whom am I in love?"

"Come, Count, you and I know each other too well to waste time inbeating about the bushes. I do not blame you for loving her; only, Isay, it must not be. "

"Must not be?" The count's voice rose a key. 

"Yes, must not be. You must give them up--the idea and the girl. What! You, who contrive the father's dishonor, would aspire to thedaughter's hand? It is not equable. Love her honorably, or not atall. The course you are following is base and wholly unworthy ofyou. "

He dropped the arm abruptly and strode across the room, stopping by awindow. He did not wish her to see his face at that particularinstant. Some men would have demanded indignantly to know how she hadlearned these things; not so the count. 

"There is time to retrieve. Go to the colonel frankly, pay his debtsout of your own pockets, then tell the girl that you love her. Beforeyou tell her, her father will have acquainted her with his sin andyour generosity. She will marry you out of gratitude. "

Karloff spun on his heels. His expression was wholly new. His eyeswere burning; he stretched and crumpled his gloves. 

"Yes, you are right, you are right! I have been trying to convincemyself that I was a machine where the father was concerned and whollya man in regard to the girl. You have put it before me in a boldmanner. Good God, yes! I find that I am wholly a man. How smoothlyall this would have gone to the end had she not crossed my path! I_am_ base, I, who have always considered myself an honorableman. And now it is too late, too late!"

"Too late? What do you mean? Have you dared to ask her to be yourwife?" Had Karloff held her arm at this moment, he would havecomprehended many things. 

"No, no! My word has gone forth to my government; there is a wallbehind me, and I can not go back. To stop means worse than death. Myproperty will be confiscated and my name obliterated, my body rotslowly in the frozen north. Oh, I know my country; one does not gainher gratitude by failure. I must have those plans, and nowhere couldI obtain such perfect ones. "

"Then you will give her up?" There was a broken note. 

The count smiled. To her it was a smile scarce less than a snarl. 

"Give her up? Yes, as a mother gives up her child, as a lioness hercub. She _has_ refused me, but nevertheless she shall be mywife. Oh, I am well-versed in human nature. She loves her father, andI know what sacrifices she would make to save his honor. To-night!--"But his lips suddenly closed. 

"Well, to-night? Why do you not go on?" Mrs. Chadwick was pale. Hergloved hands were clenched. A spasm of some sort seemed to hold herin its shaking grasp. 

"Nothing, nothing! In heaven's name, why have you stirred me so?" hecried. 

"Supposing, after all, I loved you?"

He retreated. "Madam, your suppositions are becoming intolerable andimpossible. "

"Nothing is impossible. Supposing I loved you as violently andpassionately as you love this girl?"

"Madam, "--hastily and with gentleness, "do not say anything which maycause me to blush for you; say nothing you may regret to-morrow. "

"I am a woman of circumspection. My suppositions are merelyargumentative. Do you realize, Count, that I could force you to marryme?"

Karloff's astonishment could not be equaled. "Force me to marry you?"

"Is the thought so distasteful, then?"

"You are mad to-night!"

"Not so. In whatever manner you have succeeded in this country, yourdebt of gratitude is owing to me. I do not recall this fact as areproach; I make the statement to bear me on in what I have to submitto your discerning intelligence. I doubt if there is another woman, here or abroad, who knows you so well as I. Your personal honor isbeyond impeachment, but Russia is making vast efforts to speckle it. She will succeed. Yes, I could force you to marry me. With a word Icould tumble your house of cards. I am a worldly woman, and notwithout wit and address. I possess every one of your letters, most ofall have I treasured the extravagant ones. To some you signed yourname. If you have kept mine, you will observe that my given namemight mean any one of a thousand women who are named 'Grace. ' Shallyou marry me? Shall I tumble your house of cards? I could go toColonel Annesley and say to him that if he delivers these plans toyou, I shall denounce him to the secret service officers. I mightcause his utter financial ruin, but his name would descend to hisdaughter untarnished. "

"You would not dare!" the count interrupted. 

"What? And you know me so well? I have not given you my word toreveal nothing. You confided in my rare quality of silence; youconfided in me because you had proved me. Man is not infallible, evenwhen he is named Karloff. " She lifted from a vase her flowers, fromwhich she shook the water. "Laws have been passed or annulled; lawshave died at the executive desk. Who told you that this was to be, orthat, long before it came to pass? In all the successful intrigues ofRussia in this country, whom have you to thank? Me. Ordinarily awoman does not do these things as a pastime. There must be somestrong motive behind. You asked me why I have stirred you so. Perhapsit is because I am neither two-and-twenty nor you two-score. It isthese little barbs that remain in a woman's heart. Well, I do notlove you well enough to marry you, but I love you too well to permityou to marry Miss Annesley. "

"That has the sound of war. I _did_ love you that night, "--notwithout a certain nobility. 

"How easily you say 'that night'! Surely there was wisdom in thatsmile of mine. And I nearly tumbled into the pit! I must have lookedexceedingly well. .. _that night!_"--drily. 

"You are very bitter to-night. Had you taken me at my word, I nevershould have looked at Miss Annesley. And had I ceased to love you, not even you would have known it. "

"Is it possible?"--ironically. 

"It is. I have too much pride to permit a woman to see that I havemade a mistake. "

"Then you consider in the present instance that you have not made amistake? You are frank. "

"At least I have not made a mistake which I can not rectify. Madam, let us not be enemies. As you say, I owe you too much. What is it youdesire?"--with forced amiability. 

"Deprive Colonel Annesley of his honor, that, as you say, isinevitable; but I love that girl as I would a child of my own, and Iwill not see her caught in a net of this sort, or wedded to a manwhose government robs him of his manhood and individuality. "

"Do not forget that I hold my country first and foremost, "--proudly. 

"Love has no country, nor laws, nor galling chains of incertitude. Love is magnificent only in that it gives all without question. Youlove this girl with reservations. You shall not have her. You shallnot have even me, who love you after a fashion, for I could neverlook upon you as a husband; in my eyes you would always be anaccomplice. "

"It is war, then?"--curtly. 

"War? Oh, no; we merely sever our diplomatic relations, " she purred. 

"Madam, listen to me. I shall make one more attempt to win this girlhonorably. For you are right: love to be love must be magnificent. Ifshe accepts me, for her sake I will become an outcast, a man withouta country. If she refuses me, I shall go on to the end. Speak to thecolonel, Madam; it is too late. Like myself, he has gone too far. Whydid you open the way for me as you did? I should have been satisfiedwith a discontented clerk. You threw this girl across my path, indirectly, it is true; but nevertheless the fault is yours. "

"I recognize it. At that time I did not realize how much you were tome. "

"You are a strange woman. I do not understand you. "

"Incompatibility. Come, the carriage is waiting. Let us be gone. "

"You have spoilt the evening for me, " said the count, as he threw hercloak across her shoulders. 

"On the contrary, I have added a peculiar zest. Now, let us go andappear before the world, and smile, and laugh, and eat, and gossip. Let the heart throb with a dull pain, if it will; the mask is ours todo with as we may. "

They were, in my opinion, two very unusual persons. 

[Illustration: "Lay the rose on the table"--Act II. ]

XVII

DINNER IS SERVED

"Ha!"

Monsieur Pierre, having uttered this ejaculation, stepped back andrested his fat hands on his fat hips. As he surveyed the impromptubutler, a shade of perplexity spread over his oily face. He smoothedhis imperial and frowned. This groom certainly _looked_ right, but there was something lacking in his make-up, that indefinablesomething which is always found in the true servant--servility. Therewas no humility here, no hypocritical meekness, no suavity; there wasnothing smug or self-satisfied. In truth, there was something grimlyearnest, which was not to be understood readily. Monsieur Pierre, having always busied himself with soups and curries and roasts andsauces, was not a profound analyst; yet his instinctive shrewdness atonce told him that this fellow was no servant, nor could he ever bemade into one. Though voluble enough in his kitchen, Monsieur Pierrelacked expression when confronted by any problem outside of it. Herewas the regulation swallow-tail coat and trousers of green, thestriped red vest, and the polished brass buttons; but the man insidewas too much for him. 

"_Diable_! you _luke_ right. But, no, I can not explain. Eet ees on zee tongue, but eet rayfuse. Ha! I haf eet! You lack votzay call zee real. You make me t'ink uf zee sairvant on zee stage, somet'ing bettair off; eh?" This was as near as monsieur ever got tothe truth of things. 

During this speculative inventory, Warburton's face was gravely set;indeed, it pictured his exact feelings. He _was_ grave. He evenwanted Pierre's approval. He was about to pass through a very tryingordeal; he might not even pass through it. There was no deceiving hiscolonel's eyes, hang him! Whatever had induced fate to force this oldArgus-eyed soldier upon the scene? He glanced into the kitchenmirror. He instantly saw the salient flaw in his dress. It was thecravat. Tie it as he would, it never approached the likeness of theconventional cravat of the waiter. It still remained a polishedcravat, a worldly cravat, the cravat seen in ball-rooms, drawing-rooms, in the theater stalls and boxes, anywhere but in the servants'hall. Oh, for the ready-made cravat that hitched to the collar-button! And then there was that servant's low turned-down collar, glossy as celluloid. He felt as diffident in his bare throat as adebutante feels in her first decollete ball-gown, not very wellcovered up, as it were. And, heaven and earth, how appallingly largehis hands had grown, how clumsy his feet! Would the colonel exposehim? Would he keep silent? This remained to be found out: wherein laythe terror of suspense. 

"Remem_bair_, " went on Monsieur Pierre, after a pause, feelingthat he had a duty to fulfil and a responsibility to shift to othershoulders than his own, "remem_bair_, eef you spill zee soup, Ikeel you. You carry zee tureen in, zen you deesh out zee soup, andsairve. Zee oystaires should be on zee table t'ree minutes before zeeguests haf arrive'. Now, can you make zee American cocktail?"

"I can, "--with a ghost of a smile. 

"Make heem, "--with a pompous wave of the hand toward the favoriteingredients. 

"What kind?"

"Vot kind! Eez zare more cocktails, zen?"

"Only two that are proper, the manhattan and the martini. "

"Make zee martini; I know heem. "

"But cocktails ought not be mixed before serving. "

"I say, make zee one cocktail, "--coldly and skeptically. "I testheem. "

Warburton made one. Monsieur sipped it slowly, making a wry face, for, true Gaul that he was, only two kinds of stimulants appealed tohis palate, liqueurs and wines. He found it as good as any he hadever tasted. 

"Ver' good, "--softening. "Zare ees, zen, one t'ing zat all zeeAmericans can make, zee cocktail? I am educate'; I learn. Now leaf metill eight. Keep zee collect head;"--and Monsieur Pierre turned hisattention to his partridges. 

James went out of doors to get a breath of fresh air and to collecthis thoughts, which were wool-gathering, whatever that may mean. Theyneeded collecting, these thoughts of his, and labeling, for they wereat all points of the compass, and he was at a loss upon which to drawfor support. Here he was, in a devil of a fix, and no possible way ofescaping except by absolutely bolting; and he vowed that he wouldn'tbolt, not if he stood the chance of being exposed fifty times over. He had danced; he was going to pay the fiddler like a man. He hadnever run away from anything, and he wasn't going to begin now. 

At the worst, they could only laugh at him; but his secret would behis no longer. Ass that he had been! How to tell this girl that heloved her? How to appear to her as his natural self? What a chance hehad wilfully thrown away! He might have been a guest to-night; hemight have sat next to her, turned the pages of her music, andperhaps sighed love in her ear, all of which would have been veryproper and conventional. Ah, if he only knew what was going on behindthose Mediterranean eyes of hers, those heavenly sapphires. Had sheany suspicion? No, it could not be possible; she had humiliated himtoo often, to suspect the imposture. Alackaday!

Had any one else applied the disreputable terms he applied to himselfthere would have been a battle royal. When he became out of breath, he reentered the house to have a final look at the table before theordeal began. 

Covers had been laid for twelve; immaculate linen, beautiful silver, and sparkling cut-glass. He wondered how much the girl was worth, andthought of his own miserable forty-five hundred the year. True, hiscapital could at any time be converted into cash, some seventy-fivethousand, but it would be no longer the goose with the golden egg. Agreat bowl of roses stood on a glass center-piece. As he leanedtoward them to inhale their perfume he heard a sound. He turned. 

She stood framed in a doorway, a picture such as artists conjure upto fit in sunlit corners of gloomy studios: beauty, youth, radiance, luster, happiness. To his ardent eyes she was supremely beautiful. How wildly his heart beat! This was the first time he had seen her inall her glory. His emotion was so strong that he did not observe thatshe was biting her nether lip. 

"Is everything well, James?" she asked, meaning the possibilities ofservice and not the cardiac intranquillity of the servant. 

"Very well, Miss Annesley, "--with a sudden bold scrutiny. 

Whatever it was she saw in his eyes it had the effect of making hersturn aside. To bridge the awkwardness of the moment, he rearranged anapkin; and she remarked his hands. They were tanned, but they wereelegantly shaped and scrupulously well taken care of--the hands of agentleman born, of an aristocrat. He could feel her gaze penetratelike acid. He grew visibly nervous. 

"You haven't the hand of a servant, James, "--quietly. 

He started, and knocked a fork to the floor. 

"They are too clumsy, " she went on maliciously. 

"I am not a butler, Miss; I am a groom. I promise to do the very bestI can. " Wrath mingled with the shame on his face. 

"A man who can do what you did this morning ought not to be afraid ofa dinner-table. "

"There is some difference between a dinner-table and a horse, Miss. "He stooped to recover the fork while she touched her lips with herhandkerchief. The situation was becoming unendurable. He knew that, for some reason, she was quietly laughing at him. 

"Never put back on the table a fork or piece of silver that hasfallen to the floor, " she advised. "Procure a clean one. "

"Yes, Miss. " Why, in heaven's name, didn't she go and leave him inpeace?

"And be very careful not to spill a drop of the burgundy. It isseventy-eight, and a particular favorite of my father's. "

Seventy-eight! As if he hadn't had many a bottle of that superbvintage during the past ten months! The glands in his teeth opened atthe memory of that taste. 

"James, we have been in the habit of paying off the servants on thisday of the month. Payday comes especially happy this time. It willput good feeling into all, and make the service vastly moreexpeditious. "

She counted out four ten-dollar notes from a roll in her hand andsignified him to approach. He took the money, coolly counted it, andput it in his vest-pocket. 

"Thank you, Miss. "

I do not say that she looked disappointed, but I assert that she wasslightly disconcerted. She never knew the effort he had put forth tosubdue the desire to tear the money into shreds, throw it at her feetand leave the house. 

"When the gentlemen wish for cigars or cigarettes, you will find themin the usual place, the tower drawer in the sideboard. " With a swishshe was gone. 

He took the money out and studied it. No, he wouldn't tear it up;rather he would put it among his keepsakes. 

I shall leave Mr. Robert, or M'sieu Zhames, to recover histranquillity, and describe to you the character and quality of theguests. There was the affable military attache of the Britishembassy, there was a celebrated American countess, a famous dramatistand his musical wife, Warburton's late commanding colonel, Mrs. Chadwick, Count Karloff, one of the notable grand opera prima-donnas, who would not sing in opera till February, a cabinet officer and hiswife, Colonel Annesley and his daughter. You will note thecosmopolitan character of these distinguished persons. Perhaps in noother city in America could they be brought together at an informaldinner such as this one was. There was no question of precedence orany such nonsense. Everybody knew everybody else, with one exception. Colonel Raleigh was a comparative stranger. But he was a likable oldfellow, full of stories of the wild, free West, an excellent listenerbesides, who always stopped a goodly distance on the right side ofwhat is known in polite circles as the bore's dead-line. Warburtonheld for him a deep affection, martinet though he was, for he wassingularly just and merciful. 

They had either drunk the cocktail or had set it aside untouched, andhad emptied the oyster shells, when the ordeal of the soup began. Very few of those seated gave any attention to my butler. The firstthing he did was to drop the silver ladle. Only the girl saw thismishap. She laughed; and Raleigh believed that he had told his storyin an exceptionally taking manner. My butler quietly procured anotherladle, and proceeded coolly enough. I must confess, however, that hiscoolness was the result of a physical effort. The soup quivered andtrembled outrageously, and more than once he felt the heat of theliquid on his thumb. This moment his face was pale, that moment itwas red. But, as I remarked, few observed him. Why should they?Everybody had something to say to everybody else; and a butler wasonly a machine anyway. Yet, three persons occasionally looked in hisdirection: his late colonel, Mrs. Chadwick, and the girl; each from adifferent angle of vision. There was a scowl on the colonel's face, puzzlement on Mrs. Chadwick's, and I don't know what the girl'srepresented, not having been there with my discerning eyes. 

Once the American countess raised her lorgnette and murmured: "What ahandsome butler!"

Karloff, who sat next to her, twisted his mustache and shrugged. Hehad seen handsome peasants before. They did not interest him. Heglanced across the table at the girl, and was much annoyed that she, too, was gazing at the butler, who had successfully completed thedistribution of the soup and who now stood with folded arms by thesideboard. (How I should have liked to see him!)

When the butler took away the soup-plates, Colonel Raleigh turned tohis host. 

"George, where the deuce did you pick up that butler?"

Annesley looked vaguely across the table at his old comrade. He hadbeen far away in thought. He had eaten nothing. 

"What?" he asked. 

"I asked you where the deuce you got that butler of yours. "

"Oh, Betty found him somewhere. Our own butler is away on a vacation. I had not noticed him. Why?"

"Well, if he doesn't look like a cub lieutenant of mine, I was bornwithout recollection of faces. "

"An orderly of yours, a lieutenant, did you say?" asked Betty, withsmoldering fires in her eyes. 

"Yes. "

"That is strange, " she mused. 

"Yes; very strange. He was a daredevil, if there ever was one. "

"Ah!"

"Yes; best bump of location in the regiment, and the steadiestnerve, "--dropping his voice. 

The girl leaned on her lovely arms and observed him interestedly. 

"A whole company got lost in a snowstorm one winter. You know that onthe prairie a snowstorm means that only a compass can tell you whereyou are; and there wasn't one in the troop, --a bad piece ofcarelessness on the captain's part. Well, this cub said _he'd_find the way back, and the captain wisely let him take the boys inhand. "

"Go on, " said the girl. 

"Interested, eh?"

"I am a soldier's daughter, and I love the recital of brave deeds. "

"Well, he did it. Four hours later they were being thawed out in thebarracks kitchens. Another hour and not one of them would have livedto tell the tale. The whisky they poured into my cub--"

"Did he drink?" she interrupted. 

"Drink? Why, the next day he was going to lick the men who had pouredthe stuff down his throat. A toddy once in a while; that was all heever took. And how he loved a fight! He had the tenacity of abulldog; once he set his mind on getting something, he never let uptill he got it. "

The girl trifled thoughtfully with a rose. 

"Was he ever in any Indian fights?" she asked, casually. 

"Only scraps and the like. He went into the reservation alone one dayand arrested a chief who had murdered a sheep-herder. It was avolunteer job, and nine men out of ten would never have left thereservation alive. He was certainly a cool hand. "

"I dare say, "--smiling. She wanted to ask him if he had ever beenhurt, this daredevil of a lieutenant, but she could not bring thequestion to her lips. "What did you say his name was?"--innocently. 

"Warburton, Robert Warburton. "

Here the butler came in with the birds. The girl's eyes followed him, hither and thither, her lips hidden behind the rose. 

XVIII

CAUGHT!

Karloff came around to music. The dramatist's wife should playTosti's _Ave Maria_, Miss Annesley should play the obligato onthe violin and the prima-donna should sing; but just at present thedramatist should tell them all about his new military play which wasto be produced in December. 

"Count, I beg to decline, " laughed the dramatist. "I should hardlydare to tell my plot before two such military experts as we havehere. I should be told to write the play all over again, and now itis too late. "

Whenever Betty's glance fell on her father's face, the gladness inher own was somewhat dimmed. What was making that loved face so care-worn, the mind so listless, the attitude so weary? But she was young;the spirits of youth never flow long in one direction. The repartee, brilliant and at the same time with every sting withdrawn, flashed upand down the table like so many fireflies on a wet lawn in July, anddrew her irresistibly. 

As the courses came and passed, so the conversation became less andless general; and by the time the ices were served the colonel hadengaged his host, and the others divided into twos. Then coffee, liqueurs and cigars, when the ladies rose and trailed into the littleTurkish room, where the "distinguished-looking butler" supplied themwith the amber juice. 

A dinner is a function where everybody talks and nobody eats. Somehave eaten before they come, some wish they had, and others dare noteat for fear of losing some of the gossip. I may be wrong, but Ibelieve that half of these listless appetites are due to the naturalconfusion of forks. 

After the liqueurs my butler concluded that his labor was done, andhe offered up a short prayer of thankfulness and relief. Heavens, what mad, fantastic impulses had seized him while he was passing thesoup! Supposing he _had_ spilled the hot liquid down Karloff'sback, or poured out a glass of burgundy for himself and drained itbefore them all, or slapped his late colonel on the back and askedhim the state of his liver? It was maddening, and he marveled at hisescape. There hadn't been a real mishap. The colonel had only scowledat him; he was safe. He passed secretly from the house and hungaround the bow-window which let out on the low balcony. The windowwas open, and occasionally he could hear a voice from beyond theroom, which was dark. 

It was one of those nights, those mild November nights, to which thenovelists of the old regime used to devote a whole page; the silverypallor on the landscape, the moon-mists, the round, white, inevitablemoon, the stirring breezes, the murmur of the few remaining leaves, and all that. But these busy days we have not the time to read northe inclination to describe. 

Suddenly upon the stillness of the night the splendor of a humanvoice broke forth; the prima-donna was trying her voice. A violinwailed a note. A hand ran up and down the keys of the piano. Warburton held his breath and waited. He had heard Tosti's _AveMaria_ many times, but he never will forget the manner in which itwas sung that night. The songstress was care-free and among personsshe knew and liked, and she put her soul into that magnificent andmysterious throat of hers, And throbbing all through the song was thevibrant, loving voice of the violin. And when the human tones diedaway and the instruments ceased to speak, Warburton felt himselfswallowing rapidly. Then came Schumann's _Traumerei_ on thestrings, Handel's _Largo_, Grieg's _Papillon_, and a _ballade_ byChaminade. Then again sang the prima-donna; old folksy songs, sketches from the operas grand and light, _Faust_, _The Barber ofSeville_, _La Fille de Madame Angot_. In all his days Warburton hadnever heard such music. Doubtless he _had_--even better; only atthis period he was in love. The imagination of love's young dream isthe most stretchable thing I know of. Seriously, however, he was avery good judge of music, and I am convinced that what he heardwas out of the ordinary. 

But I must guide my story into the channel proper. 

During the music Karloff and Colonel Annesley drifted into thelatter's study. What passed between them I gathered from bitsrecently dropped by Warburton. 

"Good God, Karloff, what a net you have sprung about me!" said thecolonel, despairingly. 

"My dear Colonel, you have only to step out of it. It is the eleventhhour; it is not too late. " But Karloff watched the colonel eagerly. 

"How in God's name can I step out of it?"

"Simply reimburse me for that twenty thousand I advanced to you ingood faith, and nothing more need be said. " The count's Slavonic eyeswere half-lidded. 

"To give you back that amount will leave me a beggar, an absolutebeggar, without a roof to shelter me. I am too old for the service, and besides, I am physically incapacitated. If you should force me, Icould not meet my note save by selling the house my child was bornin. Have you discounted it?"

"No. Why should I present it at the bank? It does not mature tillnext Monday, and I am in no need of money. "

"What a wretch I am!"

Karloff raised his shoulders resignedly. 

"My daughter!"

"Or my ducats, " whimsically quoted the count. "Come, Colonel; do notwaste time in useless retrospection. He stumbles who looks back. Ihave been thinking of your daughter. I love her, deeply, eternally. "

"You love her?"

"Yes. I love her because she appeals to all that is young and good inme; because she represents the highest type of womanhood. With her asmy wife, why, I should be willing to renounce my country, and yourindebtedness would be crossed out of existence with one stroke of thepen. "

The colonel's haggard face grew light with sudden hopefulness. 

"I have been, " the count went on, studying the ash of his cigar, "till this night what the world and my own conscience consider anhonorable man. I have never wronged a man or woman personally. What Ihave done on the order of duty does not agitate my conscience. I amsimply a machine. The moral responsibility rests with my czar. When Isaw your daughter, I deeply regretted that you were her father. "

The colonel grew rigid in his chair. 

"Do not misunderstand me. Before I saw her, you were but the key towhat I desired. As her father the matter took on a personal side. Icould not very conscientiously make love to your daughter and at thesame time--" Karloff left the sentence incomplete. 

"And Betty?"--in half a whisper. 

"Has refused me, "--quietly. "But I have not given her up; no, I havenot given her up. "

"What do you mean to do?"

Karloff got up and walked about the room. "Make her my wife, "--simply. He stooped and studied the titles of some of the books in thecases. He turned to find that the colonel had risen and was facinghim with flaming eyes. 

"I demand to know how you intend to accomplish this end, " the colonelsaid. "My daughter shall not be dragged into this trap. "

"To-morrow night I will explain everything; to-night, nothing, "--imperturbably. 

"Karloff, to-night I stand a ruined and dishonored man. My head, onceheld so proudly before my fellow-men, is bowed with shame. Thecountry I have fought and bled for I have in part betrayed. But notfor my gain, not for my gain. No, no! Thank God that I can say that!Personal greed has not tainted me. Alone, I should have gone serenelyinto some poor house and eked out an existence on my half-pay. Butthis child of mine, whom I love doubly, for her mother's sake and herown, --I would gladly cut off both arms to spare her a single pain, tokeep her in the luxury which she still believes rightfully to behers. When the fever of gaming possessed me, I should have told her. I did not; therein lies my mistake, the mistake which has brought meto this horrible end. Virginius sacrificed his child to save her; Iwill sacrifice my honor to save mine from poverty. Force her to wed aman she does not love? No. To-morrow night we shall complete thisdisgraceful bargain. The plans are all finished but one. Now leaveme; I wish to be alone. "

"Sir, it is my deep regret--"

"Go; there is nothing more to be said. "

Karloff withdrew. He went soberly. There was nothing sneering norcontemptuous in his attitude. Indeed, there was a frown of pity onhis face. He recognized that circumstances had dragged down a nobleman; that chance had tricked him of his honor. How he hated his ownevil plan! He squared his shoulders, determined once more to put itto the touch to win or lose it all. 

He found her at the bow-window, staring up at the moon. As Iremarked, this room was dark, and she did not instantly recognizehim. 

"I am moon-gazing, " she said. 

"Let me sigh for it with you. Perhaps together we may bring it down. "There was something very pleasing in the quality of his tone. 

"Ah, it is you, Count? I could not see. But let us not sigh for themoon; it would be useless. Does any one get his own wish-moon? Doesit not always hang so high, so far away?"

"The music has affected you?"

"As it always does. When I hear a voice like madam's, I grow sad, anda pity for the great world surges over me. "

"Pity is the invisible embrace which enfolds all animate things. There is pity for the wretched, for the fool, for the innocent knave, for those who are criminals by their own folly; pity for those wholove without reward; pity that embraces . .. Even me. "

Silence. 

"Has it ever occurred to you that there are two beings in each of us;that between these two there is a continual conflict, and that thevictor finally prints the victory on the face? For what lines andhaggards a man's face but the victory of the evil that is in him? Forwhat makes the aged ruddy and smooth of face and clear of eye but thevictory of the good that is in him? It is so. I still love you; Istill have the courage to ask you to be my wife. Shall there be faceshaggard or ruddy, lined or smooth?"

She stepped inside. She did not comprehend all he said, and his facewas in the shadow--that is to say, unreadable. 

"I am sorry, very, very sorry. "

"How easily you say that!"

"No, not easily; if only you knew how hard it comes, for I know thatit inflicts a hurt, "--gently. "Ah, Count, why indeed do I not loveyou?"--impulsively, for at that time she held him in genuine regard. "You represent all that a woman could desire in a man. "

"You could learn, "--with an eager step toward her. 

"You do not believe that; you know that you do not. Love has nothingto learn; the heart speaks, and that is all. My heart does not speakwhen I see you, and I shall never marry a man to whom it does not. You ask for something which I can not give, and each time you ask youonly add to the pain. "

"This is finality?"

"It is. "

"Eh, well; then I must continue on to the end. "

She interpreted this as a plaint of his coming loneliness. 

"Here!" she said. She held in her hands two red roses. She thrust onetoward him. "That is all I may give you. "

For a moment he hesitated. There were thorns, invisible and stinging. 

"Take it!"

He accepted it, kissed it gravely, and hid it. 

"This is the bitterest moment in my life, and doubly bitter because Ilove you. "

When the portiere fell behind him, she locked her hands, grievingthat all she could give him was an ephemeral flower. How many men hadturned from her in this wise, even as she began to depend upon themfor their friendships! The dark room oppressed her and she steppedout once more into the silver of moonshine. Have you ever beheld alovely woman fondle a lovely rose? She drew it, pendent on itsslender stem, slowly across her lips, her eyes shining mistily withwaking dreams. She breathed in the perfume, then cupped the flower inthe palm of her hand and pressed it again and again to her lips. Along white arm stretched outward and upward toward the moon, and whenit withdrew the hand was empty. 

Warburton, hidden behind the vines, waited until she was gone, andthen hunted in the grass for the precious flower. On his hands andknees he groped. The dew did not matter. And when at last he foundit, not all the treasures of the fabled Ophir would have tempted himto part with it. It would be a souvenir for his later days. 

As he rose from his knees he was confronted by a broad-shouldered, elderly man in evening clothes. The end of a cigar burned brightlybetween his teeth. 

"I'll take that flower, young man, if you please. "

Warburton's surprise was too great for sudden recovery. 

"It is mine, Colonel, " he stammered. 

The colonel filliped away his cigar and caught my butler roughly bythe arm. 

"Warburton, what the devil does this mean--a lieutenant of minepeddling soup around a gentleman's table?"

XIX

"OH, MISTER BUTLER!"

Warburton had never lacked that rare and peculiar gift ofimmediately adapting himself to circumstances. To lie now would befolly, worse than useless. He had addressed this man at his side byhis military title. He stood committed. He saw that he must throwhimself wholly on the colonel's mercy and his sense of the humorous. He pointed toward the stables and drew the colonel after him; but thecolonel held back. 

"That rose first; I insist upon having that rose till you have givenme a satisfactory account of yourself. "

Warburton reluctantly surrendered his treasure. Force of habit is apeculiar one. The colonel had no real authority to demand the rose;but Warburton would no more have thought of disobeying than ofrunning away. 

"You will give it back to me?"

"That remains to be seen. Go on; I am ready to follow you. And I donot want any dragging story, either. " The colonel spoke impatiently. 

Warburton led him into his room and turned on the light. The colonelseated himself on the edge of the cot and lighted a fresh cigar. 

"Well, sir, out with it. I am waiting. "

Warburton took several turns about the room. "I don't know how thedeuce to begin, Colonel. It began with a joke that turned out wrong. "

"Indeed?"--sarcastically. "Let me hear about this joke. "

M'sieu Zhames dallied no longer, but plunged boldly into hisnarrative. Sometimes the colonel stared at him as if he beheld aspecies of lunatic absolutely new to him, sometimes he laughedsilently, sometimes he frowned. 

"That's all, " said Zhames; and he stood watching the colonel withdread in his eyes. 

"Well, of all the damn fools!"

"Sir?"

"Of all the jackasses!"

Warburton bit his lip angrily. 

The colonel swung the rose to and fro. "Yes, sir, a damn fool!"

"I dare say that I am, sir. But I have gone too far to back out now. Will you give me back that rose, Colonel?"

"What do you mean by her?"--coldly. 

"I love her with all my heart, "--hotly. "I want her for my comrade, my wife, my companion, my partner in all I have or do. I love her, and I don't care a hang who knows it. "

"Not so loud, my friend; not so loud. "

"Oh, I do not care who hears, "--discouragedly. 

"This beats the very devil! You've got me all balled up. Is BettyAnnesley a girl of the kind we read about in the papers as elopingwith her groom? What earthly chance had you in this guise, I shouldlike to know?"

"I only wanted to be near her; I did not look ahead. "

"Well, I should say not! How long were you hidden behind thattrellis?"

"A year, so it seemed to me. "

"Any lunatics among your ancestors?"

Warburton shook his head, smiling wanly. 

"I can't make it out, " declared the colonel. "A graduate of WestPoint, the fop of Troop A, the hero of a hundred ball-rooms, disguised as a hostler and serving soup!"

"Always keep the motive in mind, Colonel; you were young yourselfonce. "

The colonel thought of the girl's mother. Yes, he had been youngonce, but not quite so young as this cub of his. 

"What chance do you suppose you have against the handsome Russian?"

"She has rejected him, "--thoughtlessly. 

"Ha!"--frowning; "so you were eavesdropping?"

"Wait a moment, Colonel. You know that I am very fond of music. I waslistening to the music. It had ceased, and I was waiting for it tobegin again, when I heard voices. "

"Why did you not leave then?"

"And be observed? I dared not. "

The colonel chewed the end of his cigar in silence. 

"And now may I have that rose, sir?"--quietly. 

The colonel observed him warily. He knew that quiet tone. It saidthat if he refused to give up the rose he would have to fight for it, and probably get licked into the bargain. 

"I've a notion you might attempt to take it by force in case Irefused. "

"I surrendered it peacefully enough, sir. "

"So you did. Here. " The colonel tossed the flower across the room andWarburton caught it. 

"I should like to know, sir, if you are going to expose me. It's nomore than I deserve. "

The colonel studied the lithographs on the walls. "Your selection?"--with a wave of the hand. 

"No, sir. I should like to know what you are going to do. It wouldrelieve my mind. As a matter of fact, I confess that I am growingweary of the mask. " Warburton waited. 

"You make a very respectable butler, though, "--musingly. 

"Shall you expose me, sir?"--persistently. 

"No, lad. I should not want it to get about that a former officer ofmine could possibly make such an ass of himself. You have slept allnight in jail, you have groomed horses, you have worn a livery whichno gentleman with any self-respect would wear, and all to no purposewhatever. Why, in the name of the infernal regions, didn't you meether in a formal way? There would have been plenty of opportunities. "

Warburton shrugged; so did the colonel, who stood up and shook thewrinkles from his trousers. 

"Shall you be long in Washington, sir?" asked Warburton, politely. 

"In a hurry to get rid of me, eh?"--with a grim smile. "Well, perhapsin a few days. "

"Good night. "

The colonel stopped at the threshold, and his face melted suddenlyinto a warm, humorous smile. He stretched out a hand which Warburtongrasped most gratefully. His colonel had been playing with him. 

"Come back to the Army, lad; the East is no place for a man of yourkidney. Scrape up a commission, and I'll see to it that you get backinto the regiment. Life is real out in the great West. People smiletoo much here; they don't laugh often enough. Smiles have a hundredmeanings, laughter but one. Smiles are the hiding places for lies, and sneers, and mockeries, and scandals. Come back to the West; weall want you, the service and I. When I saw you this afternoon I knewyou instantly, only I was worried as to what devilment you were upto. Win this girl, if you can; she's worth any kind of struggle, Godbless her! Win her and bring her out West, too. "

Warburton wrung the hand in his till the old fellow signified thathis fingers were beginning to ache. 

"Do you suppose she suspects anything?" ventured Warburton. 

"No. She may be a trifle puzzled, though. I saw her watching yourhands at the table. She has eyes and can readily see that such handsas yours were never made to carry soup-plates. For the life of me, Ihad a time of it, swallowing my laughter. I longed for a vacant lotto yell in. It would have been a positive relief. The fop of Troop Apeddling soup! Oh, I shall have to tell the boys. You used more pipe-clay than any other man in the regiment. Don't scowl. Never mind;you've had your joke; I must have mine. Don't let that Russian fellowget the inside track. Keep her on American soil. I like him and Idon't like him; and for all your tomfoolery and mischief, there isgood stuff in you--stuff that any woman might be proud of. If youhadn't adopted this disguise, I could have helped you out a bit bycracking up some of your exploits. Well, they will be inquiring forme. Good night and good luck. If you should need me, a note will findme at the Army and Navy Club. " And the genial old warrior, shakingwith silent laughter, went back to the house. 

Warburton remained standing. He was lost in a dream. All at once hepressed the rose to his lips and kissed it shamelessly, kissed ituncountable times. Two or three leaves, not withstanding this violenttreatment, fluttered to the floor. He picked them up: any one ofthose velvet leaves might have been the recipient of _her_kisses, the rosary of love. He was in love, such a love that comesbut once to any man, not passing, uncertain, but lasting. He knewthat it was all useless. He had digged with his own hands the abyssbetween himself and this girl. But there was a secret gladness: tolove was something. (For my part, I believe that the glory lies, notin being loved, but in loving. )

I do not know how long he stood there, but it must have been at leastten minutes. Then the door opened, and Monsieur Pierre lurched orrolled (I can't quite explain or describe the method of his entrance)into the room, his face red with anger, and a million thousandthunders on the tip of his Gallic tongue. 

"So! You haf leaf _me_ to clear zee table, eh? Not by a damn!_I_, clear zee table? _I?_ I t'ink not. I _cook_, nozzing else. Tozee dining-room, or I haf you discharge'!"

"All right, Peter, old boy!" cried Warburton, the gloom lifting fromhis face. This Pierre was a very funny fellow. 

"Pe_taire!_ You haf zee insolence to call me Pe_taire?_Why, I haf you keeked out in zee morning, lackey!"

"Cook!"--mockingly. 

Pierre was literally dumfounded. Such disrespect he had never beforewitnessed. It was frightful. He opened his mouth to issue a volley ofFrench oaths, when Zhames's hand stopped him. 

"Look here, Peter, you broil your partridges and flavor your soups, but keep out of the stables, or, in your own words, I _keel_ youor _keek_ you out. You tell the scullery maid to clear off thetable. I'm off duty for the rest of the night. Now, then, _allons!Marche!"_

And M'sieu Zhames gently but firmly and steadily pushed thescandalized Pierre out of the room and closed the door in his face. Ishan't repeat what Pierre said, much less what he thought. 

Let me read a thought from the mind of each of my principals, thefinal thought before retiring that night. 

_Karloff_ (on leaving Mrs. Chadwick): Dishonor against dishonor;so it must be. I can not live without that girl. 

_Mrs. Chadwick:_ (when Karloff had gone); He has lost, but Ihave not won. 

_Annesley:_ So one step leads to another, and the labyrinth ofdishonor has no end. 

_The Colonel:_ What the deuce will love put next into the youngmind?

_Pierre_ (to Celeste): I haf heem discharge'!

_Celeste_ (to Pierre): He ees handsome!

_Warburton_ (sighing in the _doloroso_): How I love her!

_The Girl_ (standing before her mirror and smiling happily): Oh, Mister Butler! Why?

XX

THE EPISODE OF THE STOVE-PIPE

In the morning Monsieur Pierre faithfully reported to his mistressthe groom's extraordinary insolence and impudence of the nightbefore. The girl struggled with and conquered her desire to laugh;for monsieur was somewhat grotesque in his rage. 

"Frightful, Mademoiselle, most frightful! He call me Pe_taire_most disrrrespectful way, and eject me from zee stables. I can notcall heem out; he ees a groom and knows nozzing uf zee _amendehonorable. _"

Mademoiselle summoned M'sieu Zhames. She desired to make the comedycomplete in all its phases. 

"James, whenever you are called upon to act in the capacity ofbutler, you must clear the table after the guests leave it. This isimperative. I do not wish the scullery girl to handle the porcelainsave in the tubs. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Miss. There were no orders to that effect last night, however. "He was angry. 

Monsieur Pierre puffed up like the lady-frog in Aesop's fables, "And listen, Pierre, " she said, collapsing the bubble of the chef'sconceit, "you must give no orders to James. I will do that. I do notwish any tale-bearing or quarreling among my servants. I insist uponthis. Observe me carefully, Pierre, and you, James. "

James _did_ observe her carefully, so carefully, indeed, thather gaze was forced to wander to the humiliated countenance ofMonsieur Pierre. 

"James, you must not look at me like that. There is something in youreyes; I can't explain what it is, but it somehow lacks the respectdue me. " This command was spoken coldly and sharply. 

"Respect?" He drew back a step. "I disrespectful to you, MissAnnesley? Oh, you wrong me. There can not be any one more respectfulto you than I am. " The sincerity of his tones could not be denied. Infact, he was almost too sincere. 

"Nevertheless, I wish you to regard what I have said. Now, you twoshake hands. "

The groom and the chef shook hands. I am ashamed to say that Jamessqueezed Monsieur Pierre's flabby hand out of active service forseveral hours that followed. Beads of agony sparkled on MonsieurPierre's expansive brow as he turned to enter the kitchen. 

"Shall we ride to-day, Miss?" he asked, inwardly amused. 

"No, _I_ shall not ride this morning, "--calmly. 

James bowed meekly under the rebuke. What did he care? Did he notpossess a rose which had known the pressure of her lips, her warm, red lips?

"You may go, " she said. 

James went. James whistled on the way, too. 

Would that it had been my good fortune to have witnessed the episodeof that afternoon! My jehu, when he hears it related these days, smiles a sickly grin. I do not believe that he ever laughed heartilyover it. At three o'clock, while Warburton was reading the morningpaper, interested especially in the Army news of the day, he heardPierre's voice wailing. 

"What's the fat fool want now?" James grumbled to William. 

"Oh, he's always yelling for help. They've coddled him so long in thefamily that he acts like a ten-year-old kid. I stole a kiss fromCeleste one day, and I will be shot if he didn't start to blubber. "

"You stole a kiss, eh?" said James, admiringly. 

"Only just for the sport of making him crazy, that was all. " ButWilliam's red visage belied his indifferent tone. "You'd better goand see what he wants. My hands are all harness grease. "

Warburton concluded to follow William's advice. He flung down hispaper and strode out to the rear porch, where he saw Pierregesticulating wildly. 

"What's the matter? What do you want?"--churlishly. 

"Frightful! Zee stove-pipe ees vat you call _bust!_"

James laughed. 

"I can not rrreach eet. I can not cook till eet ees fix'. You aretall, eh?"--affably. 

"All right; I'll help you fix it. "

Grumbling, James went into the kitchen, mounted a chair, and beganbanging away at the pipe, very much after the fashion of Bunner's"Culpepper Ferguson. " The pipe acted piggishly. James grewdetermined. One end slipped in and then the other slipped out, half adozen times. James lost patience and became angry; and in his angerhe overreached himself. The chair slid back. He tried to balancehimself and, in the mad effort to maintain a perpendicular position, made a frantic clutch at the pipe. Ruin and devastation! Down camethe pipe, and with it a peck of greasy soot. 

Monsieur Pierre yelled with terror and despair. The pies on the rearend of the stove were lost for ever. Mademoiselle Celeste screamedwith laughter, whether at the sight of the pies or M'sieu Zhames, ismore than I can say. 

James rose to his feet, the cuss-words of a corporal rumbled behindhis lips. He sent an energetic kick toward Pierre, who succeeded ineluding it. 

Pierre's eyes were full of tears. What a kitchen! What a kitchen!Soot, soot, everywhere, on the floor, on the tables, on the walls, inthe air!

"Zee pipe!" he burst forth; "zee pipe! You haf zee house full ofgas!"

James, blinking and sneezing, boiling with rage and chagrin, remounted the chair and finally succeeded in joining the two lengths. Nothing happened this time. But the door to the forward rooms opened, and Miss Annesley looked in upon the scene. 

"Merciful heavens!" she gasped, "what has happened?"

"Zee stove-pipe bust, Mees, " explained Pierre. 

The girl gave Warburton one look, balled her handkerchief against hermouth, and fled. This didn't add to his amiability. He left thekitchen in a downright savage mood. He had appeared before herpositively ridiculous, laughable. A woman never can love a man, norentertain tender regard for him at whom she has laughed: And the girlhad laughed, and doubtless was still laughing. (However, I do notoffer his opinion as infallible. )

He stood in the roadway, looking around for some inanimate thing uponwhich he might vent his anger, when the sound of hoofs coming towardhim distracted him. He glanced over his shoulder. .. And his knees allbut gave way under him. Caught! The rider was none other than hissister Nancy! It was all over now, for a certainty. He knew it; hehad about one minute to live. She was too near, so he dared not fly. Then a brilliant inspiration came to him. He quickly passed his handover his face. The disguise was complete. Vidocq's wonderful eyecould not have penetrated to the flesh. 

"James!" Miss Annesley was standing on the veranda. "Take charge ofthe horse. Nancy, dear, I am so glad to see you!"

James was anything but glad. 

"Betty, good gracious, whatever is the matter with this fellow? Hashe the black plague? Ugh!" She slid from the saddle unaided. 

James stolidly took the reins. 

"The kitchen stove-pipe fell down, " Betty replied, "and James stoodin the immediate vicinity of it. "

The two girls laughed joyously, but James did not even smile. He hadhalf a notion to kiss Nancy, as he had planned to do that memorablenight of the ball at the British embassy. But even as the notion cameto him, Nancy had climbed up the steps and was out of harm's way. 

"James, " said Miss Annesley, "go and wash your face at once. "

"Yes, Miss. "

At the sound of his voice Nancy turned swiftly; but the groom hadpresented his back and was leading the horse to the stables. 

Nancy would never tell me the substance of her conversation with MissAnnesley that afternoon, but I am conceited enough to believe that acertain absent gentleman was the main topic. When she left, it wasWilliam who led out the horse. He explained that James was stillengaged with soap and water and pumice-stone. Miss Annesley'slaughter rang out heartily, and Nancy could not help joining her. 

"And have you heard from that younger brother of yours?" Betty asked, as her friend settled herself in the saddle. 

"Not a line, Betty, not a line; and I had set my heart on yourmeeting him. I do not know where he is, or when he will be back. "

"Perhaps he is in quest of adventures. "

"He is in Canada, hunting caribou. "

"You don't tell me!"

"What a handsome girl you are, Betty!"--admiringly. 

"What a handsome girl you are, Nancy!" mimicked the girl on theveranda. "If your brother is only half as handsome, I do not knowwhatever will become of this heart of mine when we finally meet. " Shesmiled and drolly placed her hands on her heart. "Don't look sodisappointed, Nan; perhaps we may yet meet. I have an idea that hewill prove interesting and entertaining;"--and she laughed again. 

"Whoa, Dandy! What _are_ you laughing at?" demanded Nancy. 

"I was thinking of James and his soap and water and pumice-stone. That was all, dear. Saturday afternoon, then, we shall ride to theclub and have tea. Good-by, and remember me to the baby. "

"Good-by!"--and Nancy cantered away. 

What a blissful thing the lack of prescience is, sometimes!

When James had scraped the soot from his face and neck and hands, andhad sudsed it from his hair, James observed, with some concern, thatPirate was coughing at a great rate. His fierce run against the windthe day before had given him a cold. So James hunted about for thehandy veterinarian. 

"Where do you keep your books here?" he asked William. "Pirate's gota cold. "

"In the house library. You just go in and get it. We always do thatat home. You'll find it on the lower shelf, to the right as you enterthe door. "

It was half after four when James, having taken a final look at hishands and nails, proceeded to follow William's instructions. He foundno one about. Outside the kitchen the lower part of the house wasdeserted. To reach the library he had to pass through the music-room. He saw the violin-case on the piano, and at once unconsciously pursedhis lips into a noiseless whistle. He passed on into the library. Hehad never been in any of these rooms in the daytime. It was not verylight, even now. 

The first thing that caught his attention was a movable drawing-board, on which lay an uncompleted drawing. At one side stood aglass, into which were thrust numerous pens and brushes. Near thislay a small ball of crumpled cambric, such as women insist uponcarrying in their street-car purses, a delicate, dainty, uselessthing. So she drew pictures, too, he thought. Was there anything thisbeautiful creature could not do? Everything seemed to suggest herpresence. An indefinable feminine perfume still lingered on the air, speaking eloquently of her. 

Curiosity impelled him to step forward and examine her work. Heapproached with all the stealth of a gentlemanly burglar. He expectedto see some trees and hills and mayhap a brook, or some cows standingin a stream, or some children picking daisies. He had a sister, andwas reasonably familiar with the kind of subjects chosen by the lady-amateur. 

A fortification plan!

He bent close to it. Here was the sea, here was the land, here thenumber of soldiers, cannon, rounds of ammunition, resources in thematter of procuring aid, the telegraph, the railways, everything washere on this pale, waxen cloth, everything but a name. He stared atit, bewildered. He couldn't understand what a plan of this sort wasdoing outside the War Department. Instantly he became a soldier; heforgot that he was masquerading as a groom; he forgot everything butthis mute thing staring up into his face. Underneath, on a littleshelf, he saw a stack of worn envelopes. He looked at them. Roughdrafts of plans. Governor's Island! Fortress Monroe! What did itmean? What _could_ it mean? He searched and found plans, plans, plans of harbors, plans of coast defenses, plans of ships building, plans of full naval and military strength; everything, everything! Hestraightened. How his breath pained him! . .. And all this was thehandiwork of the woman he loved! Good God, what was going on in thishouse? What right had such things as these to be in a private home?For what purpose had they been drawn? so accurately reproduced? Forwhat purpose?

Oh, whatever the purpose was, _she_ was innocent; upon thisconviction he would willingly stake his soul. Innocent, innocent!ticked the clock over the mantel. Yes, she was innocent. Else, howcould she laugh in that light-hearted fashion? How could the songtremble on her lips? How could her eyes shine so bright and merry?. .. Karloff, Annesley! Karloff the Russian, Annesley the American; theone a secret agent of his country, the other a former trustedofficial! No, no! He could not entertain so base a thought againstthe father of the girl he loved. Had he not admired his clean record, his personal bravery, his fearless honesty? And yet, that absent-mindedness, this care-worn countenance, these must mean something. The purpose, to find out the purpose of these plans!

[Illustration: "A Saint Bernard dog might have done as much. "--ACTIII]

He took the handkerchief and hid it in his breast, and quietly stoleaway. .. . A handkerchief, a rose, and a kiss; yes, that was all thatwould ever be his. 

Pirate nearly coughed his head off that night; but, it beingWilliam's night off, nobody paid any particular attention to thatjustly indignant animal. 

XXI

THE ROSE

On a Wednesday morning, clear and cold: not a cloud floated acrossthe sky, nor did there rise above the horizon one of those clouds(portentous forerunners of evil!) to which novelists refer as being"no larger than a man's hand". Heaven knew right well that the blightof evil was approaching fast enough, but there was no visibleindication on her face that glorious November morning. Doubtless youare familiar with history and have read all about what greatpersonages did just before calamity swooped down on them. The Trojanslaughed at the wooden horse; I don't know how many Roman banquetersnever reached the desert because the enemy had not paid any singularregard to courtesies in making the attack; men and women danced onthe eve of Waterloo--"On with the dance, let joy be unconfined";_my_ heroine simply went shopping. It doesn't sound at allromantic; very prosaic, in fact. 

She declared her intention of making a tour of the shops and ofdropping into Mrs. Chadwick's on the way home. She ordered James tobring around the pair and the coupe. James was an example of docileobedience. As she came down the steps, she was a thing of beauty anda joy for ever. She wore one of those jackets to which several gray-squirrel families had contributed their hides, a hat whose existencewas due to the negligence of a certain rare bird, and many silk-wormshad spun the fabric of her gown. Had any one called her attention toall this, there isn't any doubt that she would have been shocked. Only here and there are women who see what a true Moloch fashion is;this tender-souled girl saw only a handsome habit which pleased theeye. Health bloomed in her cheeks, health shone from her eyes, herstep had all the elasticity of youth. 

"Good morning, James, " she said pleasantly. 

James touched his hat. What was it, he wondered. Somehow her eyeslooked unfamiliar to him. Had I been there I could have read thesecret easily enough. Sometimes the pure pools of the forests arestirred and become impenetrable; but by and by the commotionsubsides, and the water clears. So it is with the human soul. Therehad been doubt hitherto in this girl's eyes; now, the doubt was gone. 

To him, soberly watchful, her smile meant much; it was the patent ofher innocence of any wrong thought. All night he had tossed on hiscot, thinking, thinking! What should he do? What_ever_ should hedo? That some wrong was on the way he hadn't the least doubt. Shouldhe confront the colonel and demand an explanation, a demand he knewhe had a perfect right to make? If this should be evil, and the shameof it fall on this lovely being?. .. No, no! He must stand aside, hemust turn a deaf ear to duty, the voice of love spoke too loud. Hisown assurance of her innocence made him desire to fall at her feetand worship. After all, it _was_ none of his affair. Had he notplayed at this comedy, this thing would have gone on, and he wouldhave been in ignorance of its very existence. So, why should hemeddle? Yet that monotonous query kept beating on his brain: What_was_ this thing?

He saw that he must wait. Yesterday he had feared nothing save hisown exposure. Comedy had frolicked in her grinning mask. And here wasTragedy stalking in upon the scene. 

The girl named a dozen shops which she desired to honor with hercustom and presence, and stepped into the coupe. William closed thedoor, and James touched up the pair and drove off toward the city. Hewas perfectly indifferent to any possible exposure. In truth, heforgot everything, absolutely and positively everything, but the girland the fortification plans she had been drawing. 

Scarce a half a dozen bundles were the result of the tour among theshops. 

"Mrs. Chadwick's, James. "

The call lasted half an hour. 

As a story-teller I am supposed to be everywhere, to follow thefootsteps of each and all of my characters, and with a fidelity and aperspicacity nothing short of the marvelous. So I take the liberty ofimagining the pith of the conversation between the woman and thegirl. 

_The Woman:_ How long, dear, have we known each other?

_The Girl:_ Since I left school, I believe. Where _did_ youget that stunning morning gown?

_The Woman_ (smiling in spite of the serious purpose she has inview): Never mind the gown, my child; I have something of greaterimportance to talk about. 

_The Girl: Is_ there anything more important to talk about amongwomen?

_The Woman:_ Yes. There is age. 

_The Girl:_ But, mercy, we do not talk about that!

_The Woman:_ I am going to establish a precedent, then. I amforty, or at least, I am on the verge of it. 

_The Girl_ (warningly): Take care! If we should ever becomeenemies! If I should ever become treacherous!

_The Woman:_ The world very well knows that I am older than Ilook. That is why it takes such interest in my age. 

_The Girl:_ The question is, how _do_ you preserve it?

_The Woman:_ Well, then, I am forty, while you stand on thethreshold of the adorable golden twenties. (Walks over to picturetaken eighteen years before and contemplates it. ) Ah, to be twentyagain; to start anew, possessing my present learning and wisdom, andknowledge of the world; to avoid the pits into which I so carelesslystumbled! But no!

_The Girl_: Mercy! what have you to wish for? Are not princesand ambassadors your friends; have you not health and wealth andbeauty? You wish for something, you who are so handsome andbrilliant!

_The Woman_: Blinds, my dear Betty, only blinds; for that is allbeauty and wealth and wit are. Who sees behind sees scars of manywounds. You are without a mother, I am without a child. (Sits downbeside the girl and takes her hand in hers. ) Will you let me be amother to you for just this morning? How can any man help loving you!(impulsively. )

_The Girl_: How foolish you are, Grace!

_The Woman_: Ah, to blush like that!

_The Girl_: You are very embarrassing this morning. I believeyou are even sentimental. Well, my handsome mother for just thismorning, what is it you have to say to me? (jestingly. )

_The Woman_: I do not know just how to begin. Listen. If evertrouble should befall you, if ever misfortune should entangle you, will you promise to come to me?

_The Girl:_ Misfortune? What is on your mind, Grace?

_The Woman:_ Promise!

_The Girl:_ I promise. (Laughs. )

_The Woman:_ I am rich. Promise that if poverty should ever cometo you, you will come to me. 

_The Girl_ (puzzled): I do not understand you at all!

_The Woman:_ Promise!

_The Girl:_ I promise; but--

_The Woman:_ Thank you, Betty. 

_The Girl_ (growing serious): What is all this about, Grace? Youlook so earnest. 

_The Woman:_ Some day you will understand. Will you answer meone question, as a daughter would answer her mother?

_The Girl_ (gravely): Yes. 

_The Woman:_ Would you marry a title for the title's sake?

_The Girl_ (indignantly): I?

_The Woman:_ Yes; would you?

_The Girl:_ I shall marry the man I love, and if not him, nobody. I mean, of course, _when_ I love. 

_The Woman:_ Blushing again? My dear, is Karloff anything toyou?

_The Girl:_ Karloff? Mercy, no. He is handsome and fascinatingand rich, but I could not love him. It would be easier to love--tolove my groom outside. 

(They both smile. )

_The Woman_ (grave once more): That is all I wished to know, dear. Karloff is not worthy of you. 

_The Girl_ (sitting very erect): I do not understand. Is he nothonorable?

_The Woman_ (hesitating): I have known him for seven years; Ihave always found him honorable. 

_The Girl:_ Why, then, should he not be worthy of me?

_The Woman_ (lightly): Is any man?

_The Girl:_ You are parrying my question. If I am to be yourdaughter, there must be no fencing. 

_The Woman_ (rising and going over to the portrait again): Thereare some things that a mother may not tell even to her daughter. 

_The Girl_ (determinedly): Grace, you have said too much or toolittle. I do not love Karloff, I never could love him; but I likehim, and liking him, I feel called upon to defend him. 

_The Woman_ (surprised into showing her dismay): You defend him?You!

_The Girl:_ And why not? That is what I wish to know: why not?

_The Woman:_ My dear, you do not love him. That is all I wishedto know. Karloff is a brilliant, handsome man, a gentleman; his senseof honor, such as it is, would do credit to many another man; butbehind all this there is a power which makes him helpless, makes hima puppet, and robs him of certain worthy impulses. I have readsomewhere that corporations have no souls; neither have governments. Ask me nothing more, Betty, for I shall answer no more questions. 

_The Girl:_ I do not think you are treating me fairly. 

_The Woman:_ At this moment I would willingly share with youhalf of all I possess in the world. 

_The Girl:_ But all this mystery!

_The Woman:_ As I have said, some day you will understand. TreatKarloff as you have always treated him, politely and pleasantly. AndI beg of you never to repeat our conversation. 

The Girl (to whom illumination suddenly comes; rises quickly and goesover to the woman; takes her by the shoulders, and the two stare intoeach other's eyes, the one searchingly, the other fearfully): Grace!

The Woman: I am a poor foolish woman, Betty, for all my worldlinessand wisdom; but I love you (softly), and that is why I appear weakbefore you. The blind envy those who see, the deaf those who hear;what one does not want another can not have. Karloff loves you, butyou do not love him. 

(The girl kisses the woman gravely on the cheek, and without a word, makes her departure. )

The Woman (as she hears the carriage roll away): Poor girl! Poor, happy, unconscious, motherless child! If only I had the power to staythe blow! . .. Who can it be, then, that she loves?

The Girl (in her carriage): Poor thing! She adores Karloff, and Inever suspected it! I shall begin to hate him. 

How well women read each other!

James had never parted with his rose and his handkerchief. They werealways with him, no matter what livery he wore. After luncheon, William said that Miss Annesley desired to see him in the study. SoJames spruced up and duly presented himself at the study door. 

"You sent for me, Miss?"--his hat in his hand, his attitudedeferential and attentive. 

She was engaged upon some fancy work, the name of which no man knows, and if he were told, could not possibly remember for longer than tenminutes. She laid this on the reading-table, stood up and brushed thethreads from the little two-by-four cambric apron. 

"James, on Monday night I dropped a rose on the lawn. (Finds threadon her sleeve. ) In the morning when I looked for it (brushes theapron again), it was gone. Did you find it?" She made a little ballof the straggling threads and dropped it into the waste-basket. Awoman who has the support of beauty can always force a man to lowerhis gaze. James looked at his boots. His heart gave one great boundtoward his throat, then sank what seemed to be fathoms deep in hisbreast. This was a thunderbolt out of heaven itself. Had she seenhim, then? For a space he was tempted to utter a falsehood; but therewas that in her eyes which warned him of the uselessness of such anexpedient. Yet, to give up that rose would be like giving up somepart of his being. She repeated the question: "I ask you if you foundit. "

"Yes, Miss Annesley. "

"Do you still possess it?"

"Yes, Miss. "

"And why did you pick it up?"

"It was fresh and beautiful; and I believed that some lady at thedinner had worn it. "

"And so you picked it up? Where did you find it?"

"Outside the bow-window, Miss. "

"When?"

He thought for a moment. "In the morning, Miss. "

"Take care, James; it was not yet eleven o'clock, at night. "

"I admit what I said was not true, Miss. As you say, it was not yeteleven. " James was pale. So she had thrown it away, confident thatthis moment would arrive. This humiliation was premeditated. Patience, he said inwardly; this would be the last opportunity sheshould have to humiliate him. 

"Have you the flower on your person?"

"Yes, Miss. "

"Did you know that it was mine?"

He was silent. 

"Did you know that it was mine?"--mercilessly. 

"Yes; but I believed that you had deliberately thrown it away. I sawno harm in taking it. "

"But there _was harm. "_

"I bow to your superior judgment, Miss, "--ironically. 

She deemed it wisest to pass over this experimental irony. "Give theflower back to me. It is not proper that a servant should have in hiskeeping a rose which was once mine, even if I had thrown it away ordiscarded it. "

Carefully he drew forth the crumpled flower. He looked at her, thenat the rose, hoping against hope that she might relent. He hesitatedtill he saw an impatient movement of the extended hand. Hesurrendered. 

"Thank you. That is all. You may go. "

She tossed the withered flower into the waste-basket. 

"Pardon me, but before I go I have to announce that I shall resignmy position next Monday. The money which has been advanced to me, deducting that which is due me, together with the amount of my fineat the police-court, I shall be pleased to return to you on themorning of my departure. "

Miss Annesley's lips fell apart, and her brows arched. She was verymuch surprised. 

"You wish to leave my service?"--as if it were quite impossible thatsuch a thing should occur to him. 

"Yes, Miss. "

"You are dissatisfied with your position?"--icily. 

"It is not that, Miss. As a groom I am perfectly satisfied. Thetrouble lies in the fact that I have too many other things to do. Itis very distasteful for me to act in the capacity of butler. Mytemper is not equable enough for that position. " He bowed. 

"Very well. I trust that you will not regret your decision. " She satdown and coolly resumed her work. 

"It is not possible that I shall regret it. "

"You may go. "

He bowed again, one corner of his mouth twisted. Then he took himselfoff to the stables. He was certainly in what they call a toweringrage. 

If I were not a seer of the first degree, a narrator of thepenetrative order, I should be vastly puzzled over this singularaction on her part. 

XXII

THE DRAMA UNROLLS

When a dramatist submits his _scenario_, he always accompaniesit with drawings, crude or otherwise, of the various set-scenes andcurtains known as drops. To the uninitiated these scrawls would lookimpossible; but to the stage-manager's keen, imaginative eye a wholepicture is represented in these few pothooks. Each object on thestage is labeled alphabetically; thus A may represent a sofa, B awindow, C a table, and so forth and so on. I am not a dramatist; I amnot writing an acting drama; so I find that a diagram of the libraryin Senator Blank's house is neither imperative nor advisable. Itis half after eight; the curtain rises; the music of a violin isheard coming from the music-room; Colonel Annesley is discoveredsitting in front of the wood fire, his chin sunk on his breast, hishands hanging listlessly on each side of the chair, his face deeplylined. From time to time he looks at the clock. I can imagine nosorrier picture than that of this loving, tender-hearted, wretchedold man as he sits there, waiting for Karloff and the ignominiousend. Fortune gone with the winds, poverty leering into his face, shame drawing her red finder across his brow, honor in sackcloth andashes!

And but two short years ago there had not been in all the wide land amore contented man than himself, a man with a conscience freer. God!Even yet he could hear the rolling, whirring ivory ball as it spunthe circle that fatal night at Monte Carlo. Man does not recall theintermediate steps of his fall, only the first step and the last. Inhis waking hours the colonel always heard the sound of it, and itrattled through his troubled dreams. He could not understand howeverything had gone as it had. It seemed impossible that in two yearshe had dissipated a fortune, sullied his honor, beggared his child. It was all so like a horrible dream. If only he might wake; if onlyGod would be so merciful as to permit him to wake! He hid his face. There is no hell save conscience makes it. 

The music laughed and sighed and laughed. It was the music of loveand youth; joyous, rollicking, pulsing music. 

The colonel sprang to his feet suddenly, his hands at his throat. Hewas suffocating. The veins gnarled on his neck and brow. There wasin his heart a pain as of many knives. His arms fell: of what usewas it to struggle? He was caught, trapped in a net of his owncontriving. 

Softly he crossed the room and stood by the portiere beyond which wasthe music-room. She was happy, happy in her youth and ignorance; shecould play all those sprightly measures, her spirit as light andconscience-free; she could sing, she could laugh, she could dance. And all the while his heart was breaking, breaking!

"How shall I face her mother?" he groaned. 

The longing which always seizes the guilty to confess and relieve themind came over him. If only he dared rush in there, throw himself ather feet, and stammer forth his wretched tale! She was of his flesh, of his blood; when she knew she would not wholly condemn him . . . No, no! He could not. She honored and trusted him now; she hadplaced him on so high a pedestal that it was utterly impossible forhim to disillusion her young mind, to see for ever and ever the mutereproach in her honest eyes, to feel that though his arm encircledher she was beyond his reach. .. . God knew that he could not tell thischild of the black gulf he had digged for himself and her. 

Sometimes there came to him the thought to put an end to thismaddening grief, by violence to period this miserable existence. Butalways he cast from him the horrible thought. He was not a coward, and the cowardice of suicide was abhorrent to him. Poverty he mightleave her, but not the legacy of a suicide. If only it might be God'skindly will to let him die, once this abominable bargain wasconsummated! Death is the seal of silence; it locks alike the lips ofthe living and the dead. And she might live in ignorance, till theend of her days, without knowing that her wealth was the price of herfather's dishonor. 

A mist blurred his sight; he could not see. He steadied himself, andwith an effort regained his chair noiselessly. And how often he hadsmiled at the drama on the stage, with its absurdities, itstawdriness, its impossibilities! Alas, what did they on the stagethat was half so weak as he had done: ruined himself without motiveor reason!

The bell sang its buzzing note; there was the sound of crunchingwheels on the driveway; the music ceased abruptly. Silence. A dooropened and closed. A moment or so later Karloff, preceded by thegirl, came into the study. She was grave because she remembered Mrs. Chadwick. He was grave also; he had various reasons for being so. 

"Father, the count tells me that he has an engagement with you, " shesaid. She wondered if this appointment in any way concerned her. 

"It is true, my child. Leave us, and give orders that we are not tobe disturbed. "

She scrutinized him sharply. How strangely hollow his voice sounded!Was he ill?

"Father, you are not well. Count, you must promise me not to keep himlong, however important this interview may be. He is ill and needsrest, "--and her loving eyes caressed each line of care in herparent's furrowed cheeks. 

Annesley smiled reassuringly. It took all the strength of his will, all that remained of a high order of courage, to create this smile. He wanted to cry out to her that it was a lie, a mockery. Behind thatsmile his teeth grated. 

"I shall not keep him long, Mademoiselle, " said the count. He spokegently, but he studiously avoided her eyes. 

She hesitated for a moment on the threshold; she knew not why. Herlips even formed words, but she did not speak. What was it? Somethingoppressed her. Her gaze wandered indecisively from her father to thecount, from the count to her father. 

"When you are through, " she finally said, "bring your cigars into themusic-room. "

"With the greatest pleasure, Mademoiselle, " replied the count. "Andplay, if you so desire; our business is such that your music will beas a pleasure added. '"

Her father nodded; but he could not force another smile to his lips. The brass rings of the portiere rattled, and she was gone. But sheleft behind a peculiar tableau, a tableau such as is formed by thosewho stand upon ice which is about to sink and engulf them. 

The two men stood perfectly still. I doubt not that each experiencedthe same sensation, that the same thought occurred to each mind, though it came from different avenues: love and shame. The heart ofthe little clock on the mantel beat tick-tock, tick-tock; a logcrackled and fell between the irons, sending up a shower ofevanescent sparks; one of the long windows giving out upon theveranda creaked mysteriously. 

Karloff was first to break the spell. He made a gesture which waseloquent of his distaste of the situation. 

"Let us terminate this as quickly as possible, " he said. 

"Yes, let us have done with it before I lose my courage, " replied thecolonel, his voice thin and quavering. He wiped his forehead with hishandkerchief. His hand shone white and his nails darkly blue. 

The count stepped over to the table, reached into the inner pocket ofhis coat, and extracted a packet. In this packet was the enormous sumof one hundred and eighty thousand dollars in notes of one thousanddenomination; that is to say, one hundred and eighty slips of paperredeemable in gold by the government which had issued them. On top ofthis packet lay the colonel's note for twenty thousand dollars. 

(It is true that Karloff never accepted money from his government inpayment for his services; but it is equally true that for every pennyhe laid out he was reimbursed by Russia. )

Karloff placed the packet on the table, first taking off the note, which he carelessly tossed beside the bank-notes. 

"You will observe that I have not bothered with having your notediscounted. I have fulfilled my part of the bargain; fulfil yours. "The count thrust his trembling hands into his trousers pockets. Hedesired to hide this embarrassing sign from his accomplice. 

Annesley went to a small safe which stood at the left of thefireplace and returned with a packet somewhat bulkier than thecount's. He dropped it beside the money, shudderingly, as though hehad touched a poisonous viper. 

"My honor, " he said simply. "I had never expected to sell it socheap. "

There was a pause, during which neither man's gaze swerved from theother's. There was not the slightest, not even the remotest, fear oftreachery; each man knew with whom he was dealing; yet there theystood, as if fascinated. One would have thought that the colonelwould have counted his money, or Karloff his plans; they did neither. Perhaps the colonel wanted Karloff to touch the plans first, beforehe touched the money; perhaps Karloff had the same desire, only theother way around. 

[Illustration: "I am simply Miss Annesly's servant. "--ACT III. ]

The colonel spoke. 

"I believe that is all" he said quietly. The knowledge that the deedwas done and that there was no retreat gave back to him a particle ofhis former coolness and strength of mind. It had been the thought ofcommitting the crime that had unnerved him. Now that his bridgeswere burned, a strange, unnatural calm settled on him. 

The count evidently was not done. He moistened his lips. There wasa dryness in his throat. 

"It is not too late" he said; "I have not yet touched them. "

"We shall not indulge in moralizing, if you please, " interrupted thecolonel, with savage irony. "The moment for that has gone by. "

"Very well. " Karloff's shoulders settled; his jaws becameaggressively angular; some spirit of his predatory forebears touchedhis face here and there, hardening it. "I wish to speak in regard toyour daughter. "

"Enough! Take my honor and be gone!" The colonel's voice was loud andrasping. 

Karloff rested his hands on the table and inclined his body towardthe colonel. 

"Listen to me, " he began. "There is in every man the making and thecapacity of a great rascal. Time and opportunity alone are needed--and a motive. The other night I told you that I could not give upyour daughter. Well, I have not given her up. She must be my wife. "

"Must?" The colonel clenched his hands. 

"Must. To-night I am going to prove myself a great rascal--with agreat motive. What is Russia to me? Nothing. What is your dishonor ormy own? Less than nothing. There is only one thing, and that is mylove for your daughter. " He struck the table and the flame of thestudent-lamp rose violently. "She must be mine, mine! I have tried towin her as an honorable man tries to win the woman he loves; now shemust be won by an act of rascality. Heaven nor hell shall force me togive her up. Yes, I love her; and I lower myself to your level togain her. "

"To my level! Take care; I am still a man, with a man's strength, "cried the colonel. 

Karloff swept his hand across his forehead. "I have lied to myselflong enough, and to you. I can see now that I have been workingsolely toward one end. My country is not to be considered, neither isyours. Do you realize that you stand wholly and completely in mypower?" He ran his tongue across his lips, which burned with fever. 

"What do you mean?"--hoarsely. 

"I mean, your daughter must become my wife, or I shall notify yourgovernment that you have attempted to betray it. "

"You dishonorable wretch!" The colonel balled his fists and protrudedhis nether lip. Only the table stood between them. 

"That term or another, it does not matter. The fact remains that youhave sold to me the fortification plans of your country; and thoughit be in times of peace, you are none the less guilty and culpable. Your daughter shall be my wife. "

"I had rather strangle her with these hands!"--passionately. 

"Well, why should I not have her for my wife? Who loves her more thanI? I am rich; from hour to hour, from day to day, what shall I notplan to make her happy? I love her with all the fire and violence ofmy race and blood. I can not help it. I will not, can not, livewithout her! Good God, yes! I recognize the villainy of my actions. But I am mad to-night. "

"So I perceive. " The colonel gazed wildly about the walls for aweapon. There was not even the usual ornamental dagger. 

A window again stirred mysteriously. A few drops of rain plashed onthe glass and zigzagged down to the sash. 

"Sooner or later your daughter must know. Request her presence. Itrests with her, not with you, as to what course I must follow. "Karloff was extraordinarily pale, and his dark eyes, reflecting thedancing flames, sparkled like rubies. 

He saw the birth of horror in the elder's eyes, saw it grow and grow. He saw the colonel's lips move spasmodically, but utter no sound. What was it he saw over his (the count's) shoulders and beyond?Instinctively he turned, and what he saw chilled the heat of hisblood. 

There stood the girl, her white dress marble-white against the darkwine of the portiere, an edge of which one hand clutchedconvulsively. Was it Medusa's beauty or her magic that turned meninto stone? My recollection is at fault. At any rate, so long as sheremained motionless, neither man had the power to stir. She heldherself perfectly erect; every fiber in her young body was tense. Herbeauty became weirdly powerful, masked as it was with horror, doubt, shame, and reproach. She had heard; little or much was of noconsequence. In the heat of their variant passions, the men's voiceshad risen to a pitch that penetrated beyond the room. 

Karloff was first to recover, and he took an involuntary step towardher; but she waved him back disdainfully. 

"Do not come near me. I loathe you!" The voice was low, but everynote was strained and unmusical. 

He winced. His face could not have stung or burned more hotly had shestruck him with her hand. 

"Mademoiselle!"

She ignored him. "Father, what does this mean?"

"Agony!" The colonel fell back into his chair, pressing his handsover his eyes. 

"I will tell you what it means!" cried Karloff, a rage possessinghim. He had made a mistake. He had misjudged both the father and thechild. He could force her into his arms, but he would always carry aburden of hate. "It means that this night you stand in the presenceof a dishonored parent, a man who has squandered your inheritanceover gambling tables, and who, to recover these misused sums, hassold to me the principal fortification plans of his country. That iswhat is means, Mademoiselle. "

She grasped the portiere for support. 

"Father, is this thing true?" Her voice fell to a terror-strickenwhisper. 

"Oh, it is true enough, " said Karloff. "God knows that it is trueenough. But it rests with you to save him. Become my wife, andyonder fire shall swallow his dishonor--and mine. Refuse, and Ishall expose him. After all, love is a primitive state, and with itwe go back to the beginning; before it honor or dishonor is nothing. To-night there is nothing, nothing in the world save my love for you, and the chance that has given me the power to force you to be mine. What a fury and a tempest love produces! It makes an honorable manof the knave, a rascal of the man of honor; it has toppled thrones, destroyed nations, obliterated races. . .. Well, I have become arascal. Mademoiselle, you must become my wife. " He lifted hishandsome head resolutely. 

Without giving him so much as a glance, she swept past him and sankon her knees at her father's side, taking his hands by the wrists andpressing them down from his face. 

"Father, tell him he lies! Tell him he lies!" Ah, the entreaty, thelove, the anxiety, the terror that blended her tones!

He strove to look away. 

"Father, you are all I have, " she cried brokenly. "Look at me! Lookat me and tell him that he lies!. .. You will not look at me? God havemercy on me, it is true, then!" She rose and spread her arms towardheaven to entreat God to witness her despair. "I did not think orknow that such base things were done. .. That these loving handsshould have helped to encompass my father's dishonor, hisdegradation! . .. For money! What is money? You knew, father, thatwhat was mine was likewise yours. Why did you not tell me? I shouldhave laughed; we should have begun all over again; I could haveearned a living with my music; we should have been honest and happy. And now!. .. And I drew those plans with a heart full of love andhappiness! Oh, it is not that you gambled, that you have foolishlywasted a fortune; it is not these that hurt here, "--pressing herheart. "It is the knowledge that you, my father, should let _me_draw those horrible things. It hurts! Ah, how it hurts!" A sob chokedher. She knelt again at her parent's side and flung her arms aroundthe unhappy, wretched man. "Father, you have committed a crime toshield a foolish act. I know, I know! What you have done you did formy sake, to give me back what you thought was my own. Oh, how well Iknow that you had no thought of yourself; it was all for me, and Ithank God for that. But something has died here, something here in myheart. I have been so happy! . .. Too happy! My poor father!" She laidher head against his breast. 

"My heart is broken! Would to God that I might die!" Annesley threwone arm across the back of the chair and turned his face to hissleeve. 

Karloff, a thousand arrows of regret and shame and pity quivering inhis heart, viewed the scene moodily, doggedly. No, he could not goback; there was indeed a wall behind him: pride. 

"Well, Mademoiselle?"

She turned, still on her knees. 

"You say that if I do not marry you, you will ruin my father, exposehim?"

"Yes, "--thinly. 

"Listen. I am a proud woman, yet will I beg you not to do thishorrible thing--force me into your arms. Take everything, take allthat is left; you can not be so utterly base as to threaten such awrong. See!"--extending her lovely arms, "I am on my knees to you!"

"My daughter!" cried the father. 

"Do not interrupt me, father; he will relent; he is not whollywithout pity. "

"No, no! No, no!" Karloff exclaimed, turning his head aside andrepelling with his hands, as if he would stamp out the fires of pitywhich, at the sound of her voice, had burst anew in his heart. "I_will_ not give you up!"

She drew her sleeve across her eyes and stood up. All at once shewheeled upon him like a lioness protecting its young. In her wrathshe was as magnificent as the wife of--Aeneas at the funeral pyre ofthat great captain. 

"She knew! That was why she asked me all those questions; that is whyshe exacted those promises! Mrs. Chadwick knew and dared not tell me!And I trusted you as a friend, as a gentleman, as a man of honor!"Her laughter rang out wildly. "And for these favors you bringdishonor! Shame! Shame! Your wife? Have you thought well of what youare about to do?"

"So well, " he declared, "that I shall proceed to the end, to the veryend. " How beautiful she was! And a mad desire urged him to spring toher, crush her in his arms, and force upon her lips a thousand madkisses!

"Have you weighed well the consequences?"

"Upon love's most delicate scales. "

"Have you calculated what manner of woman I am?"--with subduedfierceness. 

"To me you are the woman of all women. "

"Do you think that I am a faint-hearted girl? You are making amistake. I am a woman with a woman's mind, and a thousand years wouldnot alter my utter contempt of you. Force me to marry you, and asthere is a God above us to witness, every moment of suffering you nowinflict upon me and mine, I shall give back a day, a long, bitter, galling day. Do you think that it will be wise to call me countess?"Her scorn was superb. 

"I am waiting for your answer. Will you be my wife, or shall I beforced to make my villainy definitive?"

"Permit me to take upon these shoulders the burden of answering thatquestion, " said a voice from the window. 

Warburton, dressed in his stable clothes and leggings, hatless anddrenched with rain, stepped into the room from the veranda andquickly crossed the intervening space. Before any one of the tragicgroup could recover from the surprise caused by his unexpectedappearance, he had picked up the packet of plans and had dropped itinto the fire. Then he leaned with his back against the mantel andfaced them, or rather Karloff, of whom he was not quite sure. 

XXIII

SOMETHING ABOUT HEROES

Tick-lock, tick-tock went the voice of the little friend of eternityon the mantel-piece; the waxen sheets (to which so much care andlabor had been given) writhed and unfolded, curled and crackled, andblackened on the logs; the cold wind and rain blew in through theopened window; the lamp flared and flickered inside its green shade;a legion of heroes peered out from the book-cases, no doubt muchastonished at the sight of this ordinary hero of mine and his mean, ordinary clothes. I have in my mind's eye the picture of goodD'Artagnan's frank contempt, Athos' magnificent disdain, therighteous (I had almost said honest!) horror of the ultra-fashionableAramis, and the supercilious indignation of the bourgeois Porthos. What! this a hero? Where, then, was his rapier, his glitteringbaldric, his laces, his dancing plumes, his fine air?

Several times in the course of this narrative I have expressed myregret in not being an active witness of this or that scene, a regretwhich, as I am drawing most of these pictures from hearsay, isperfectly natural. What must have been the varying expressions oneach face! Warburton, who, though there was tumult in his breast, coolly waited for Karloff to make the next move; Annesley, who sawhis terrible secret in the possession of a man whom he supposed to bea stable-man; Karloff, who saw his house of cards vanish in thedartling tongues of flame, and recognized the futility of hisvillainy; the girl. .. Ah, who shall describe the dozen shadowyemotions which crossed and recrossed her face?

From Warburton's dramatic entrance upon the scene to Karloff's firstmovement, scarce a minute had passed, though to the girl and herfather an eternity seemed to come and go. Karloff was a brave man. Upon the instant of his recovery, he sprang toward Warburton, silently and with predetermination: he must regain some fragment ofthose plans. He would not, could not, suffer total defeat before thisgirl's eyes; his blood rebelled against the thought. He expected thegroom to strike him, but James simply caught him by the arms andthrust him back. 

"No, Count; no, no; they shall burn to the veriest crisp!"

"Stand aside, lackey!" cried Karloff, a sob of rage strangling him. Again he rushed upon Warburton, his clenched hand uplifted. Warburtondid not even raise his hands this time. So they stood, their faceswithin a hand's span of each other, the one smiling coldly, the otherin the attitude of striking a blow. Karloff's hand fell unexpectedly, but not on the man in front of him. "Good God, no! a gentleman doesnot strike a lackey! Stand aside, stand aside!"

"They shall burn, Count, "--quietly; "they shall burn, because I amphysically the stronger. " Warburton turned quickly and with the toeof his boot shifted the glowing packet and renewed the flames. "Inever realized till to-night that I loved my country half so well. Lackey? Yes, for the present. "

He had not yet looked at the girl. 

"Ah!" Karloff cried, intelligence lighting his face. "You are nolackey!"--subduing his voice. 

James smiled. "You are quite remarkable. "

"Who are you? I demand to know!"

"First and foremost, I am a citizen of the United States; I have beena soldier besides. It was my common right to destroy these plans, which indirectly menaced my country's safety. These, "--pointing tothe bank-notes, "are yours, I believe. Nothing further requires yourpresence here. "

"Yes, yes; I remember now! Fool that I have been!" Karloff struck hisforehead in helpless rage. "I never observed you closely till now. Irecall. The secret service: Europe, New York, Washington; you haveknown it all along. Spy!"

"That is an epithet which easily rebounds. Spy? Why, yes; I do for mycountry what you do for yours. "

"The name, the name! I can not recollect the name! The beard is gone, but that does not matter, "--excitedly. 

Warburton breathed easier. While he did not want the girl to know whohe was just then, he was glad that Karloffs memory had taken histhought away from the grate and its valuable but rapidly disappearingfuel. 

"Father! Father, what is it?" cried the girl, her voice keyed toagony. "Father!"

The two men turned about. Annesley had fainted in his chair. BothWarburton and Karloff mechanically started forward to offer aid, butshe repelled their approach. 

"Do not come near me; you have done enough. Father, dear!" Sheslapped the colonel's wrists and unloosed his collar. 

The antagonists, forgetting their own battle, stood silently watchinghers. Warburton's mind was first to clear, and without a moment'shesitation he darted from the room and immediately returned with aglass of water. He held it out to the girl. Their glances clashed; athousand mute, angry questions in her eyes, a thousand mute, humbleanswers in his. She accepted the glass, and her hand trembled as shedipped her fingers into the cool depths and flecked the drops intothe unconscious man's face. 

Meanwhile Karloff stood with folded arms, staring melancholicallyinto the grate, where his dreams had disappeared in smoke. By and bythe colonel sighed and opened his eyes. For a time he did not knowwhere he was, and his gaze wandered mistily from face to face. Thenrecollection came back to him, recollection bristling with thorns. Hestruggled to his feet and faced Warburton. The girl put her armsaround him to steady him, but he gently disengaged himself. 

"Are you from the secret service, sir? If so, I am ready to accompanyyou wherever you say. I, who have left my blood on many abattleground, was about to commit a treasonable act. Allow me firstto straighten up my affairs, then you may do with me as you please. Iam guilty of a crime; I have the courage to pay the penalty. " Hiscalm was extraordinary, and even Karloff looked at him with a sparkleof admiration. 

As a plummet plunges into the sea, so the girl's look plunged intoWarburton's soul; and had he been an officer of the law, he knew thathe would have utterly disregarded his duty. 

"I am not a secret service man, sir, " he replied unevenly. "If Iwere, "--pointing to the grate, "your plans would not have fed thefire. "

"Who are you, then, and what do you in my house in this guise?"--proudly. 

"I am your head stable-man--for the present. It was all by chance. Icame into this room yesterday to get a book on veterinary surgery. Iaccidentally saw a plan. I have been a soldier. I knew that such athing had no rightful place in this house. .. . I was coming across thelawn, when I looked into the window. . .. It is not for me to judgeyou, sir. My duty lay in destroying those plans before they harmedany one. "

"No, it is not for you to judge me, " said the colonel. "I havegambled away my daughter's fortune. To keep her in ignorance of thefact and to return to her the amount I had wrongfully used, Iconsented to sell to Russia the coast fortification plans of mycountry, such as I could draw from memory. No, it is not for you tojudge me; only God has the right to do that. "

"I am only a groom, " said Warburton, simply. "What I have heard Ishall forget. "

Ah, had he but looked at the girl's face then!

A change came over Karloff's countenance; his shoulders drooped; themelancholy fire died out of his face and eyes. With an air ofresignation and a clear sense of the proportion of things, he reachedout and took up the note upon which Annesley had scrawled hissignature. 

Warburton, always alert, seized the count's wrist. He saw the name ofa bank and the sum of five figures. 

"What is this?" he demanded. 

"It is mine, " replied the count, haughtily. 

Warburton released him. 

"He speaks truly, " said the colonel. "It is his. "

"The hour of madness is past, " the Russian began, slowly andmusically. The tone was musing. He seemed oblivious of hissurroundings and that three pairs of curious eyes were leveled in hisdirection. He studied the note, creased it, drew it through hisfingers, smoothed it and caressed it. "And I should have done exactlyas I threatened. There is, then, a Providence which watches jealouslyover the innocent? And I was a skeptic!. .. Two hundred thousanddollars, "--picking up the packet of banknotes and balancing it on hishand. "Well, it is a sum large enough to tempt any man. How the plansand schemes of men crumble to the touch! Ambition is but the pursuitof mirages. .. . Mademoiselle, you will never know what the ignominy ofthis moment has cost me--nor how well I love you. I come of a race ofmen who pursue their heart's desire through fire and water. Obstaclesare nothing; the end is everything. In Europe I should have won, inhonor or in dishonor. But this American people, I do not quiteunderstand them; and that is why I have played the villain to nopurpose. "

He paused, and a sad, bitter smile played over his face. 

"Mademoiselle, " he continued, "henceforth, wherever I may go, yourface and the sound of your voice shall abide with me. I do not askyou to forget, but I ask you to forgive. " Again he paused. 

She uttered no sound. 

"Well, one does not forget nor forgive these things in so short atime. And, after all, it was your own father's folly. Fate threw himacross my path at a critical moment--but I had reckoned without you. Your father is a brave man, for he had the courage to offer himselfto the law; I have the courage to give you up. I, too, am a soldier;I recognize the value of retreat. " To Warburton he said: "A groom, ahostler, to upset such plans as these! I do not know who you are, sir, nor how to account for your timely and peculiar appearance. ButI fully recognize the falseness of your presence here. Eh, well, thisis what comes of race prejudice, the senseless battle which hasalways been and always will be waged between the noble and thepeasant. Had I observed you at the proper time, our positions mightrelatively have been changed. Useless retrospection!" To Annesley:"Sir, we are equally culpable. Here is this note of yours. I might, as a small contribution toward righting the comparative wrong which Ihave done you, I might cast it into the fire. But between gentlemen, situated as we are, the act would be as useless as it would beimpossible. I might destroy the note, but you would refuse to acceptsuch generosity at my hands, --which is well. "

"What you say is perfectly true. " The colonel drew his daughtercloser to him. 

"So, " went on the count, putting the note in his pocket, "to-morrow Ishall have my ducats. "

"My bank will discount the note, " said the colonel, with a proudlook; "my indebtedness shall be paid in full. "

"As I have not the slightest doubt. Mademoiselle, fortune ignores youbut temporarily; misfortune has brushed only the hem of your garment, as it were. Do not let the fear of poverty alarm you, "--lightly. "Iprophesy a great public future for you. And when you play that_Largo_ of Handel's, to a breathless audience, who knows that Imay not be hidden behind the curtain of some stall, drinking in theheavenly sound made by that loving bow?. .. . Romance enters everyhuman being's life; like love and hate, it is primitive. But to everybook fate writes _finis_. "

He thrust the bank-notes carelessly into his coat pocket, and walkedslowly toward the hallway. At the threshold he stopped and lookedback. The girl could not resist the magnetism of his dark eyes. Shewas momentarily fascinated, and her heart beat painfully. 

"If only I might go with the memory of your forgiveness, " he said. 

"I forgive you. "

"Thank you. " Then Karloff resolutely proceeded; the portiere fellbehind him. Shortly after she heard the sound of closing doors, therattle of a carriage, and then all became still. Thus the handsomebarbarian passed from the scene. 

The colonel resumed his chair, his arm propped on a knee and his headbowed in his hand. Quickly the girl fell to her knees, hid her faceon his breast, and regardless of the groom's presence, silently wept. 

"My poor child!" faltered the colonel. "God could not have intendedto give you so wretched a father. Poverty and dishonor, poverty anddishonor; I who love you so well have brought you these!"

Warburton, biting his trembling lips, tiptoed cautiously to thewindow, opened it and stepped outside. He raised his fevered facegratefully to the icy rain. A great and noble plan had come to him. 

As Mrs. Chadwick said, love is magnificent only when it gives allwithout question. 

XXIV

A FINE LOVER

Karloff remained in seclusion till the following Tuesday; after thatday he was seen no more in Washington. From time to time some newsof him filters through the diplomatic circles of half a dozencapitals to Washington. The latest I heard of him, he was at PortArthur. It was evident that Russia valued his personal address toohighly to exile him because of his failure in Washington. Had hethreatened or gone about noisily, we should all have forgotten himcompletely. As it is, the memory of him to-day is as vivid as hisactual presence. Thus, I give him what dramatists call an agreeableexit. 

I was in the Baltimore and Potomac station the morning after thatunforgetable night at Senator Blank's house. I had gone there to seeabout the departure of night trains, preparatory to making a flyingtrip to New York, and was leaving the station when a gloved handtouched me on the arm. The hand belonged to Mrs. Chadwick. She wasdressed in the conventional traveling gray, and but for the darklines under her eyes she would have made a picture for any man toadmire. She looked tired, very tired, as women look who have notslept well. 

"Good morning, Mr. Orator, " she said, saluting me with a smile. 

"You are going away?" I asked, shaking her hand cordially. 

"'Way, 'way, away! I am leaving for Nice, where I expect to spend thewinter. I had intended to remain in Washington till the holidays; butI plead guilty to a roving disposition, and I frequently change mymind. "

"Woman's most charming prerogative, " said I, gallantly. 

What a mask the human countenance is! How little I dreamed that I wasjesting with a woman whose heart was breaking, and numbed with aterrible pain!

Her maid came up to announce that everything was ready for herreception in the state-room, and that the train was about to draw outof the station. Mrs. Chadwick and I bade each other good-by. Twoyears passed before I saw her again. 

At eleven o'clock I returned to my rooms to pack a case and have thething off my mind. Tramping restlessly up and down before my bachelorapartment house I discerned M'sieu Zhames. His face was pale andtroubled, but the angle of his jaw told me that he had determinedupon something or other. 

"Ha!" I said railingly. He wore a decently respectable suit of ready-made clothes. "Lost your job and want me to give you a recommendation?"

"I want a few words with you, Chuck, and no fooling. Don't say thatyou can't spare the time. You've simply _got_ to. "

"With whom am I to talk, James, the groom, or Warburton, thegentleman?"

"You are to talk with the man whose sister you are to marry. "

I became curious, naturally. "No police affair?"

"No, it's not the police. I can very well go to a lawyer, but Idesire absolute secrecy. Let us go up to your rooms at once. "

I led the way. I was beginning to desire to know what all this meant. 

"Has anybody recognized you?" I asked, unlocking the door to myapartment. 

"No; and I shouldn't care a hang if they had. "

"Oho!"

Warburton flung himself into a chair and lighted a cigar. He puffedit rapidly, while I got together my shaving and toilet sets. 

"Start her up, " said I. 

"Chuck, when my father died he left nearly a quarter of a million infive per cents; that is to say, Jack, Nancy and I were given a yearlyincome of about forty-five hundred. Nancy's portion and mine arestill in bonds which do not mature till 1900. Jack has made severalbad investments, and about half of his is gone; but his wife hasplenty, so his losses do not trouble him. Now, I have been ratherfrugal during the past seven years. I have lived entirely upon myArmy pay. I must have something like twenty-five thousand lying inthe bank in New York. On Monday, between three and four o'clock, Colonel Annesley will become practically a beggar, a pauper. "

"What?" My shaving-mug slipped from my hand and crashed to the floor, where it lay in a hundred pieces. 

"Yes. He and his daughter will not have a roof of their own: allgone, every stick and stone. Don't ask me any questions; only do as Iask of you. " He took out his check-book and filled out two blanks. These he handed to me. "The large one I want you to place in theUnion bank, to the credit of Colonel Annesley. "

I looked at the check. "Twenty thousand dollars?" I gasped. 

"The Union bank has this day discounted the colonel's note. It fallsdue on Monday. In order to meet it, he will have to sell what is leftof the Virginian estate and his fine horses. The interest will beinconsiderable. "

"What--" I began, but he interrupted me. 

"I shall not answer a single question. The check for three thousandis for the purchase of the horses, which will be put on sale Saturdaymorning. They are easily worth this amount. Through whatever agencyyou please, buy these horses for me, but not in my name. As for thenote, cash my check first and present the currency for the note. Noone will know anything about it then. You can not trace money. "

"Good Lord, Bob, you are crazy! You are giving away a fortune, " Iremonstrated. 

"It is my own, and my capital remains untouched. "

"Have you told her that you love her? Does she know who you are?" Iwas very much excited. 

"No, "--sadly, "I haven't told her that I love her. She does not knowwho I am. What is more, I never want her to know. I have thrown myarms roughly around her, thinking her to be Nancy, and have kissedher. Some reparation is due her. On Monday I shall pack up quietlyand return to the West"

"Annesley beggared? What in heaven's name does this all mean?" I wasconfounded. 

"Some day, Chuck, when you have entered the family properly as mysister's husband, perhaps I may confide in you. At present the secretisn't mine. Let it suffice that through peculiar circumstances, thefather of the girl I love is ruined. I am not doing this for anytheatrical play, gratitude and all that rot, "--with half a smile, "Iadmire and respect Colonel Annesley; I love his daughter, hopelesslyenough. I have never been of much use to any one. Other persons'troubles never worried me to any extent; I was happy-go-lucky, careless and thoughtless. True, I never passed a beggar withoutdropping a coin into his cup. But often this act was the result of agood dinner and a special vintage. The twenty thousand will keep thecolonel's home, the house his child was born in and her mother beforeher. I am doing this crazy thing, as you call it, because it isgoing to make me rather happy. I shall disappear Monday. They mayor they may not suspect who has come to their aid. They may eventrace the thing to you; but you will be honor-bound to revealnothing. When you have taken up the note, mail it to Annesley. Youwill find Count Karloff's name on it. "

"Karloff?" I was in utter darkness. 

"Yes. Annesley borrowed twenty thousand of him on a three months'note. Both men are well known at the Union bank, Karloff having atemporary large deposit there, and Annesley always having done hisbanking at the same place. Karloff, for reasons which I can not tellyou, did not turn in the note till this morning. You will take it upthis afternoon. "

"Annesley, whom I believed to be a millionaire, penniless; Karloffone of his creditors? Bob, I do not think that you are treating mefairly. I can't go into this thing blind. "

"If you will not do it under these conditions, I shall have to findsome one who will, "--resolutely. 

I looked at the checks and then at him. .. . Twenty-three thousanddollars! It was more than I ever before held in my hand at one time. And he was giving it away as carelessly as I should have given away adime. Then the bigness of the act, the absolute disinterestedness ofit, came to me suddenly. 

"Bob, you are the finest lover in all the world! And if Miss Annesleyever knows who you are, she isn't a woman if she does not fallimmediately in love with you. " I slapped him on the shoulder. I wassomething of a lover myself, and I could understand. 

"She will never know. I don't want her to know. That is why I amgoing away. I want to do a good deed, and be left in the dark toenjoy it. That is all. After doing this, I could never look her inthe eyes as Robert Warburton. I shall dine with the folks on Sunday. I shall confess all only to Nancy, who has always been the onlyconfidante I have ever had among the women. "

There was a pause. I could bring no words to my lips. Finally Istammered out: "Nancy knows. I told her everything last night. Ibroke my word with you, Bob, but I could not help it She was cryingagain over what she thinks to be your heartlessness. I _had_ totell her. "

"What did she say?"--rising abruptly. 

"She laughed, and I do not know when I have seen her look so happy. There'll be a double wedding yet, my boy. " I was full of enthusiasm. 

"I wish I could believe you, Chuck; I wish I could. I'm rather gladyou told Nan. I love her, and I don't want her to worry about me. " Hegripped my hand. "You will do just as I ask?"

"To the very letter. Will you have a little Scotch to perk you up abit? You look rather seedy. "

"No, "--smiling dryly. "If she smelt liquor on my breath I should losemy position. Good-by, then, till Sunday. "

I did not go to New York that night. I forgot all about going. Instead, I went to Nancy, to whom I still go whenever I am in troubleor in doubt. 

XXV

A FINE HEROINE, TOO

Friday morning. 

Miss Annesley possessed more than the ordinary amount of force andpower of will. Though the knowledge of it was not patent to her, shewas a philosopher. She always submitted gracefully to the inevitable. She was religious, too, feeling assured that God would provide. Shedid not go about the house, moaning and weeping; she simply studiedall sides of the calamity, and looked around to see what could besaved. There were moments when she was even cheerful. There were nonew lines in her face; her eyes were bright and eager. All persons ofgenuine talent look the world confidently in the face; they knowexactly what they can accomplish. As Karloff had advised her, she didnot trouble herself about the future. Her violin would support herand her father, perhaps in comfortable circumstances. The knowledgeof this gave her a silent happiness, that kind which leaves upon theface a serene and beautiful calm. 

At this moment she stood on the veranda, her hand shading her eyes. She was studying the sky. The afternoon would be clear; the last rideshould be a memorable one. The last ride! Tears blurred her eyes andthere was a smothering sensation in her throat. The last ride! Afterto-day Jane would have a new, strange mistress. If only she might goto this possible mistress and tell her how much she loved the animal, to obtain from her the promise that she would be kind to it always. How mysteriously the human heart spreads its tendrils around theobjects of its love! What is there in the loving of a dog or a horsethat, losing one or the other, an emptiness is created? Perhaps it isbecause the heart goes out wholly without distrust to the faithful, to the undeceiving, to the dumb but loving beast, which, for all itsstrength, is so helpless. 

She dropped her hand and spoke to James, who was waiting near by forher orders. 

"James, you will have Pierre fill a saddle-hamper; two plates, twoknives and forks, and so forth. We shall ride in the north countrythis afternoon. It will be your last ride. To-morrow the horses willbe sold. " How bravely she said it!

"Yes, Miss Annesley. " Whom were they going to meet in the northcountry? "At what hour shall I bring the horses around?"

"At three. "

She entered the house and directed her steps to the study. She foundher father arranging the morning's mail. She drew up a chair besidehim, and ran through her own letters. An invitation to lunch withMrs. Secretary-of-State; she tossed it into the waste-basket. Adinner-dance at the Country Club, a ball at the Brazilian legation, atea at the German embassy, a box party at some coming play, aninformal dinner at the executive mansion; one by one they flutteredinto the basket. A bill for winter furs, a bill from the dressmaker, one from the milliner, one from the glover, and one from the florist;these she laid aside, reckoning their sum-total, and frowning. Howcould she have been so extravagant? She chanced to look at herfather. He was staring rather stupidly at a slip of paper which heheld in his trembling fingers. 

"What is it?" she asked, vaguely troubled. 

"I do not understand, " he said, extending the paper for herinspection. 

Neither did she at first. 

"Karloff has not done this, " went on her father, "for it shows thathe has had it discounted at the bank. It is canceled; it is paid. Idid not have twenty thousand in the bank; I did not have even aquarter of that amount to my credit. There has been some mistake. Our real estate agent expects to realize on the home not earlier thanMonday morning. In case it was not sold then, he was to take up thenote personally. This is not his work, or I should have beennotified. " Then, with a burst of grief: "Betty, my poor Betty! Howcan you forgive me? How can I forgive myself?"

"Father, I am brave. Let us forget. It will be better so. "

She kissed his hand and drew it lovingly across her cheek. Then sherose and moved toward the light. She studied the note carefully. There was nothing on it save Karloff's writing and her father's andthe red imprint of the bank's cancelation. Out of the window andbeyond she saw James leading the horses to the watering trough. Herface suddenly grew crimson with shame, and as suddenly as it came thecolor faded. She folded the note and absently tucked it into thebosom of her dress. Then, as if struck by some strange thought, herfigure grew tense and rigid against the blue background of the sky. The glow which stole over her features this time had no shame in it, and her eyes shone like the waters of sunlit seas. It must never be;no it must never be. 

"We shall make inquiries at the bank, " she said. "And do not bedowncast, father, the worst is over. What mistakes you have made areforgotten The future looks bright to me. "

"Through innocent young eyes the future is ever bright; but as we agewe find most of the sunshine on either side, and we stand in theshadow between. Brave heart, I glory in your courage. God willprovide for you; He will not let my shadow fall on you. Yours shallbe the joy of living, mine shall be the pain. God bless you! I wonderhow I shall ever meet your mother's accusing eyes?"

"Father, you _must_ not dwell upon this any longer; for my sakeyou must not. When everything is paid there will be a little left, enough till I and my violin find something to do. After all, theworld's applause must be a fine thing. I can even now see thecriticisms in the great newspapers. 'A former young society woman, well-known in the fashionable circles of Washington, made her_debut_ as a concert player last night. She is a stunning youngperson. ' `A young queen of the diplomatic circles, here and abroad, appeared in public as a violinist last night. She is a member of themost exclusive sets, and society was out to do her homage. ' `One ofWashington's brilliant young horsewomen, ' and so forth. Away down atthe bottom of the column, somewhere, they will add that I play theviolin rather well for an amateur. " In all her trial, this was theone bitter expression, and she was sorry for it the moment it escapedher. Happily her father was not listening. He was wholly absorbedin the mystery of the canceled note. 

She had mounted Jane and was gathering up the reins, while Jamesstrapped on the saddle-hamper. This done, he climbed into the saddleand signified by touching his cap that all was ready. So they rodeforth in the sweet freshness of that November afternoon. A steadywind was blowing, the compact white clouds sailed swiftly across thebrilliant heavens, the leaves whispered and fluttered, hither andthither, wherever the wind listed; it was the day of days. It was thelast ride, and fate owed them the compensation of a beautifulafternoon. 

The last ride! Warburton's mouth drooped. Never again to ride withher! How the thought tightened his heart! What a tug it was going tobe to give her up! But so it must be. He could never face hergratitude. He must disappear, like the good fairies in the story-books. If he left now, and she found out what he had done, she wouldalways think kindly of him, even tenderly. At twilight, when she tookout her violin and played soft measures, perhaps a thought or twowould be given to him. After what had happened--this contemptiblemasquerading and the crisis through which her father had just passed--it would be impossible for her to love him. She would always regardhim with suspicion, as a witness of her innocent shame. 

He recalled the two wooden plates in the hamper. Whom was she goingto meet? Ah, well, what mattered it? After to-day the abyss ofeternity would yawn between them. How he loved her! How he adored theexquisite profile, the warm-tinted skin, the shining hair!. .. And hehad lost her! Ah, that last ride!

The girl was holding her head high because her heart was full. Nomore to ride on a bright morning, with the wind rushing past her, bringing the odor of the grasses, of the flowers, of the earth totingle her nostrils; no more to follow the hounds on a winter's day, with the pack baying beyond the hedges, the gay, red-coated riderssweeping down the field; no more to wander through the halls of hermother's birthplace and her own! Like a breath on a mirror, all wasgone. Why? What had _she_ done to be flung down ruthlessly? She, who had been brought up in idleness and luxury, must turn her handsto a living! Without being worldly, she knew the world. Once sheappeared upon the stage, she would lose caste among her kind. True, they would tolerate her, but no longer would her voice be heard orher word have weight. 

Soon she would be tossed about on the whirlpool and swallowed up. Then would come the haggling with managers, long and tiresomejourneys, gloomy hotels and indifferent fare, curious people whodesired to see the one-time fashionable belle; her portraits would belithographed and hung in shop-windows, in questionable resorts, andthe privacy so loved by gentlewomen gone; and perhaps there would beinsults. And she was only on the threshold of the twenties, theradiant, blooming twenties!

[Illustration: "Go home, Colonel--and stay home!"--ACT III. ]

During the long ride (for they covered something like seven miles)not a word was spoken. The girl was biding her time; the man hadnothing to voice. They were going through the woods, when they cameupon a clearing through which a narrow brook loitered or sallied downthe incline. She reined in and raised her crop. He was puzzled. Sofar as he could see, he and the girl were alone. The third person, for whom, he reasoned, he had brought the second plate, was nowherein sight. 

A flat boulder lay at the side of the stream, and she nodded towardit. Warburton emptied the hamper and spread the cloth on the stone. Then he laid out the salad, the sandwiches, the olives, the almonds, and two silver telescope-cups. All this time not a single word fromeither; Warburton, busied with his task, did not lift his eyes toher. 

The girl had laid her face against Jane's nose, and two lonely tearstrailed slowly down her velvety cheeks. Presently he was compelled tolook at her and speak. 

"Everything is ready, Miss. " He spoke huskily. The sight of her tearsgave him an indescribable agony. 

She dropped the bridle-reins, brushed her eyes, and the sunshine of asmile broke through the troubled clouds. 

"Mr. Warburton, " she said gently, "let us not play any more. I am toosad. Let us hang up the masks, for the comedy is done. "

XXVI

THE CASTLE OF ROMANCE

How silent the forest was! The brook no longer murmured, the rustleof the leaves was without sound. A spar of sunshine, filteringthrough the ragged limbs of the trees, fell aslant her, and she stoodin an aureola. As for my hero, a species of paralysis had strickenhim motionless and dumb. It was all so unexpected, all so sudden, that he had the sensation of being whirled away from reality andbundled unceremoniously into the unreal. .. . She knew, and had known!A leaf brushed his face, but he was senseless to the touch of it. Allhe had the power to do was to stare at her. . . . She knew, and hadknown!

Dick stepped into the brook and began to paw the water, and theintermission of speech and action came to an end. 

"You-and you knew?" What a strange sound his voice had in his ownears!

"Yes. From the very beginning--I knew you to be a gentleman inmasquerade; that is to say, when I saw you in the police-court. Theabsence of the beard confused me at first, but presently I recognizedthe gentleman whom I had noticed on board the ship. "

So she had noticed him!

"That night you believed me to be your sister Nancy. But I did notknow this till lately. And the night I visited her she exhibited somephotographs. Among these was a portrait of you without a beard. "

Warburton started. And the thought that this might be the case hadnever trickled through his thick skull! How she must have laughed athim secretly!

She continued: "Even then I was not sure. But when Colonel Raleighdeclared that you resembled a former lieutenant of his, then I knew. "She ceased. She turned to her horse as if to gather the courage to goon; but Jane had her nose hidden in the stream, and was oblivious ofher mistress' need. 

He waited dully for her to resume, for he supposed that she had notyet done. 

"I have humiliated you in a hundred ways, and for this I want you toforgive me. I sent the butler away for the very purpose of makingyou serve in his stead. But you were so good about it all, withnever a murmur of rebellion, that I grew ashamed of my part in thecomedy. But now--" Her eyes closed and her body swayed; but sheclenched her hands, and the faintness passed away. "But for you, mypoor father would have been dishonored, and I should have been forcedinto the arms of a man whom I despise. Whenever I have humiliatedyou, you have returned the gift of a kind deed. You will forgiveme?"

"Forgive you? There is nothing for me to forgive on my side, much onyours. It is you who should forgive me. What you have done I havedeserved. " His tongue was thick and dry. How much did she know?

"No, not wholly deserved it. " She fumbled with the buttons of herwaist; her eyes were so full that she could not see. She produced anoblong slip of paper. 

When he saw it, a breath as of ice enveloped him. The thing she heldout toward him was the canceled note. For a while he did me thehonor to believe that I had betrayed him. 

"I understand the kind and generous impulse which prompted this deed. Oh, I admire it, and I say to you, God bless you! But don't you seehow impossible it is? It can not be; no, no! My father and I areproud. What we owe we shall pay. Poverty, to be accepted withoutplaint, must be without debts of gratitude. But it was noble andgreat of you; and I knew that you intended to run away without everletting any one know. "

"Who told you?"

"No one. I guessed it. "

And he might have denied all knowledge of it!

"Won't you--won't you let it be as it is? I have never done anythingworth while before, and this has made me happy. Won't you let me dothis? Only you need know. I am going away on Monday, and it will beyears before I see Washington again. No one need ever know. "

"It is impossible!"

"Why?"

She looked away. In her mind's eye she could see this man leading atroop through a snow-storm. How the wind roared! How the snow whirledand eddied about them, or suddenly blotted them from sight! But, onand on, resolutely, courageously, hopefully, he led them on tosafety. .. . He was speaking, and the picture dissolved. 

"Won't you let it remain just as it is?" he pleaded. 

Her head moved negatively, and once more she extended the note. Hetook it and slowly tore it into shreds. With it he was tearing up thedream and tossing it down the winds. 

"The money will be placed to your credit at the bank on Monday. Wecan not accept such a gift from any one. You would not, I know. Butalways shall I treasure the impulse. It will give me courage in thefuture--when I am fighting alone. "

"What are you going to do?"

"I? I am going to appear before the public, "--with assumedlightness; "I and my violin. "

He struck his hands together. "The stage?"--horrified. 

"I must live, "--calmly. 

"But a servant to public caprice? It ought not to be! I realize thatI can not force you to accept my gift, but this I shall do: I shallbuy in the horses and give them back to you. "

"You mustn't. I shall have no place to put them. Oh!"--with a gesturefull of despair and unshed tears, "why have you done all this? Whythis mean masquerade, this submitting to the humiliations I havecontrived for you, this act of generosity? Why?"

Perhaps she knew the answers to her own questions, but, womanlike, wanted to be told. 

And at that moment, though I am not sure, I believe Warburton'sguarding angel gave him some secret advice. 

"You ask me why I have played the fool in the motley?"--finding thestrength of his voice. "Why I have submitted in silence to your justhumiliations? Why I have acted what you term generously? Do you meanto tell me that you have not guessed the riddle?"

She turned her delicate head aside and switched the grasses with herriding-crop. 

"Well, "--flinging aside his cap, which he had been holding in hishand, "I will tell you. I wanted to be near you. I wanted to be, whatyou made me, your servant. It is the one great happiness that I haveknown. I have done all these things because--because, God help me, Ilove you! Yes, I love you, with every beat of my heart!"--lifting hishead proudly. Upon his face love had put the hallowed seal. "Do notturn your head away, for my love is honest. I ask nothing, nothing; Iexpect nothing. I know that it is hopeless. What woman could love aman who has made himself ridiculous in her eyes, as I have mademyself in yours?"--bitterly. 

"No, not ridiculous; never that!" she interrupted, her face stillaverted. 

He strode toward her hastily, and for a moment her heart almostceased to beat. But all he did was to kneel at her feet and kiss thehem of her riding-skirt. He rose hurriedly. 

"God bless you, and good-by!" He knew that if he remained he wouldlose all control, crush her madly in his arms, and hurt her lips withhis despairing kisses. He had not gone a dozen paces, when he heardher call pathetically. He stopped. 

"Mr. Warburton, surely you are not going to leave me here alone withthe horses?"

"Pardon me, I did not think! I am confused!" he blundered. 

"You are modest, too. " Why is it that, at the moment a man succumbsto his embarrassment, a woman rises above hers? "Come nearer, "--acommand which he obeyed with some hesitation. "You have been a groom, a butler, all for the purpose of telling me that you love me. Listen. Love is like a pillar based upon a dream: one by one we lay thestones of beauty, of courage, of faith, of honor, of steadfastness. We wake, and how the beautiful pillar tumbles about our ears! Whatright have you to build up your pillar upon a dream of me? What doyou know of the real woman--for I have all the faults and vanities ofthe sex; what do you know of me? How do you know that I am notselfish? that I am constant? that I am worthy a man's loving?"

"Love is not like Justice, with a pair of scales to weigh this orthat. I do not ask _why_ I love you; the knowledge is all Ineed. And you are _not_ selfish, inconstant, and God knows thatyou are worth loving. As I said, I ask for nothing. "

"On the other hand, " she continued, as if she had not heard hisinterpolation, "I know you thoroughly. I have had evidence of yourcourage, your steadfastness, your unselfishness. Do not misunderstandme. I am proud that you love me. This love of yours, which asks forno reward, only the right to confess, ought to make any good womanhappy, whether she loved or not. And you would have gone away withouttelling me, even!"

"Yes. " He dug into the earth with his riding-boot. If only she knewhow she was crucifying him!

"Why were you going away without telling me?"

He was dumb. 

Her arms and eyes, uplifted, appealed to heaven. "What shall I say?How shall I make him understand?" she murmured. "You love me, and youask for nothing? Is it because in spirit my father has committed acrime?"--growing tall and darting a proud glance at him. 

"Good heaven, do not believe that!" he cried, "What _am_ I to believe?"--tapping the ground with her boot sothat the spur jingled. 

A pause. 

"Mr. Warburton, do you know what a woman loves in a man? I will tellyou the secret. She loves courage, constancy, and honor, purpose thatsurmounts obstacles; she loves pursuit; she loves the hour ofsurrender. Every woman builds a castle of romance and waits forPrince Charming to enter, and once he does, there must be a game ofhide and seek. Perhaps I have built my castle of romance, too. Iwait for Prince Charming, and--a man comes, dressed as a groom. There has been a game of hide and seek, but somehow he has tripped. Will you not ask me if I love you?"

"No, no! I understand. I do not want your gratitude. You aremeeting generosity with generosity. I do not want your gratitude. "--brokenly. "I want your love, every thought of your mind, every beatof your heart. Can you give me these, honestly?"

She drew off a glove. Her hand became lost in her bosom. When shedrew it forth she extended it, palm upward. Upon it lay a faded, withered rose. Once more she turned her face away. 

He was at her side, and the hand and rose were crushed between histwo hands. 

"Can you give what I ask? Your love, your thoughts, your heart-beats?"

It was her turn to remain dumb. 

"Can you?" He drew her toward him perhaps roughly, being unconsciousof his strength and the nervous energy which the sight of the rosehad called into being. 

"Can we give those things which are--already--given?"

Only Warburton and the angels, or rather the angels and Warburton, toget at the chronological order of things, heard her, so low had grownher voice. 

You may tell any kind of secret to a horse; the animal will neverbetray you. Warburton would never tell me what followed; and I am toosensible to hang around the horses in hopes of catching them in theact of talking over the affair among themselves. But I can easilyimagine this bit of equine dialogue:

_Jane_: Did you ever see such foolishness?

_Dick_: Never! And with all this good grass about!

Whatever _did_ follow caused the girl to murmur: "This is thelover I love; this is the lover I have been waiting for in my castleof romance. I am glad that I have lost all worldly things; I am glad, glad! When did you first learn that you loved me?"

(Old, very old; thousands of years old, and will grow to be manythousand years older. But from woman's lips it is the sweetestquestion man ever heard. )

"At the _Gare du Nord_, in Paris; the first time I saw you. "

"And you followed me across the ocean?"--wonderingly. 

"And when did you first learn that you loved me?" he asked. 

(Oh, the trite phrases of lovers' litany. )

"When I saw you in the police-court. Mercy! what a scandal! I am tomarry my butler!"

_Jane:_ They are laughing!

_Dick:_ That is better than weeping. Besides, they will probablywalk us home. (Wise animal!)

He was not only wise but prophetic. The lovers _did_ walk thehorses home. Hand in hand they came back along the road, through theflame and flush of the ripening year. The god of light burned in thefar west, blending the brown earth with his crimson radiance, whilethe purple shadows of the approaching dusk grew larger and larger. The man turned. 

"What a beautiful world it is!" he said. 

"I begin to find it so, " replied the girl, looking not at the world, but at him. 

THE END

Postscript:

I believe they sent William back for the saddle-hamper and my jehu'scap.