The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, September 16, 1900, Page 14

14 THE SUNDAY CALL. Pericord ¢y handing 5E before any con- expec Ithough think for a back on my icord had been Iy feigned,” sai remorse and admiration. suffused with regret. krew what I could do to re- " she murmured. as if she would make him forge: that his sacrifice had been for a rival. T would give every- € I possess ke can safeguard 2 man in a oe trigue like this. It is—and I have ratm & f oy Except tis one Gossin was not Vould that 1 could give that t00.” she fous ress— = murmured, blushing deeply. “But I can- of a erime, for if there piecase inform me anytl caue Departm 2 of that sort the Rev- would have caused an carried out ¥ou As she raid this she continued to look Elake bowed bis bim with a sideiong siance Dot abso- w A COPYRIGHT 1900 ® to a rejectes switor, Band stole out toward " Blake Desitated a moment, as It he fair advantage. Then. apable © rible m: Would it make then.” said Valda, sol learned tie contents of your d impossibie. ns which wot Dot ve: if there was big stakes, squeamish E “But evea it been your dispatch that one could decipher “1 nevep Mr. Pericord again.™ : may 80 muck worse than be the 4 of an frreproachable gentleman,™ Minister sald menacirgly. “You for- he facts of your birth. You will con- we to enjoy every luzury, and a bril- position in soclety, while y0u remain my ward, but I am afraid you would find a small annul & poor offset for the stigma of illegitimacy if I turn you out o the cold. If it is mot Mr. Pericora, it will be Captain Vassilich ™ rom that day M. de Samovar was grat- ified by perceiving a change In Valda, e bed evidently not understosd tha crude reaiities of her situation, and it had humbied her 1o Tecall them biuntly. The attentions of Captain Vassilich were al- ready of a gross mature, and if once he knew that she whs nothing more than an illegitimate balf-caste they would becoms unbearable. This alone might plausibly explain Valda's new affection for her guardian, which impeiled her so e Iy to betray an inteiligent Interest in his work and to seek the shelter of his study. It was true that her intimacy with Mr. Pericord was not renewed, but Valda had “I should have lttle chance tng Mr. Pericord’s esteem If were compromised, " she tently. “But if you wiil trust me, I believe I can find 2 way Pericord’s confidential papers. if I is confidence. And If yo d have fallen into serve your purposs st What s said peni- and assist 5 Mr. can- a genius, Valda. her gua: aida began to instnuate hersel g e untfl she became a dally for private dispatches. opportunity came. from M. de Mura- Tiskof,” he s1id my presence is her absence. She is perhaps?™” dear Mr. Pericord. It the contrary, who would apology. Howcver, n indisposition ps her 1o her room to-night. tended no unkindness. I came here this evening with the hope of removing the tad impression she has conceived of me. Perhaps 1 might ask your Excel- lenicy to convey that intention to her. I will do myselt the honor of calling op Mfss Berlskofl to-morrow.” “Too late” murmured M. de Samovar to_bimss When, on the following day, Mr. Peri- cord called at the embassy he received the astounding news that Valda had dis- appeared. “1 ean only suppose.” sald M de Samo- var jhdifferently, “that she has eloped with the gentleman who recently left your service. Mr. Blake probably siipped in among the crowd of guests from Tien- fsin. The results of ber indiscretion ve on her own head!" Mr. Pericord seemed strangely moved. He stood for some moments lost in regret- ful thoughts. “We can trust no ome” he sald a: length sadly. taking lus leave. If the mysterious disappgarance of wh on the B of Jasupry causel the mystericous Cisappesrancs Flaks sereation ” of Vaida three wesks later causet « f1able scandai. As in the former case argus-eyed boys bad sees © baggage loaded on sicighs fo minus and the o newspaseT - o4 5o arrival of & well-knows 7© om Peking Lassy preserved 2 2s follows—bu “Boer war by land’s hands fuil for Aguinaldo ac spare troops & tial election, an eign enterprises—Japan finances I eruisers not he rike. P cord appoint Russian Coms chwang. Demand Tsung British on Shanhaf nominee. Hsu If obstinate, secret bat ‘America or Japan, fomen support. Instruct Conmsul Geners tsin prepare seize Taku Rallway strike within six months or R. for China.™ Then M. de Samovar paid an o® visit to the Superintendent of Revenuos and informed Rim that it would fact business if a Russian nomines were pointed to the Commissiomership of \ chw: Mr. Fertcord recetved the dem his usual grave politeness and ass Excellency that he would give » ter his attention: dut when the Mir had gone the & G. was longer ad to maintain his mask of fMerence. Ta demand was precisely similar o the seiz- ure of Port Arthur after the Japancse had captured it ad with Continued mext Suadag.