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' i • f" CHAPTER VIII. V 1 Tho Boautlful Madam Whjtvyorlh. , OOD morning, Robert," snld tho Gouvomour Faulknot to mo ns 1 enmo nnd stood op posite him nt tlic edge of Ids wide desk tluj following morning. And bo smiled nt mo with n grent gentle ness tlint bod also burnor playing Into It from tbo corners of bis eyes nnd mouth. "I’m nfrnld thnt you’ve landed In tlio midst of a genuine enso of American liustlo tbls 'morning after.' Hero nro two lists of spo (Mentions, one In English weights nnd measurements nnd tbo other In French. I wnnt you to compnro them cnrofully, checking tbqm as you go nnd then recbocklng them. I want to bo sure they nro tbo Bame. Also mnko a good literal trans lation of any notes that may bo In French nnd-compnro them with tbo notes In English. Do you think It can bo done for mo by 8 o'clock, In tlmo for n conference I have nt thnt hour?" With which request he, tho Gouver- neur Fnulkner, handed mo two largo shcots of paper down which were many long columns of figures. "Mon Dleul" I snld to myself under my brentb, for nlways I havo had to count out tbo pieces of money neces sary to glvo to'Nnnnctto for tho wash er of tho linen nt tho Chateau do Gres upon tho fingers of my hands, which often seemed too few to furnish me sufficient aid. But In a small Instant I had recovered my courage, which brought with It n determination to do thnt task If it meant my death. “Yes, your excellency,” I answered him with n great composure In tho fnco of tbo tragedy. “You’ll find tbo small office between my office nnd that of General Cnr- rutbors empty. A ring of tlio bell un der tho desk means for you to come to me. I’ll try not to Interrupt you. Two rings mean to go .to tho general. Thnt Is about all." With a wnvo of his hand tho Couvornour Fnulkner dis missed me. With my bend up In tho air I turned from him nnd prepnred to retire to my prison, from which I could sco no re- “These are going to be some hard days for us all.” lease, when ngnln I henrd his sum mons. Ho bad risen nnd was standing beside Ids desk, nnd ns I turned lie held out his hand, Into which I laid mine ns ho drew mo near to him. “Youngster,” lie snld, nnd the smile which all persons call cold wns all of gentleness Into my eyes, “these nro going to be some hard days for us nil, these next ten, nnd If I drive you too hard balk, will you?" "To tho death for you I’ll go, my Gouverneur Faulkner,” I nnswored him, looking straight Into his tired eyes thnt were so deep under tho black, silver tipped wings of his brows. I did not mean that death 1 hnd threatened mysclfifrora tho math ematics in tho paper, but In my henrt there wns something thnt rose nnd an swered tho sadness In his eyes with ngnln all that snvngcncss of a bar-’ barlan. “Then I’ll tnko you to tbo point of demise—almost—If I need you,” ho nn swored me, with a lnugb thnt hid a quiver of emotion m his voice ns some thing that was like unto a spnrlc shot from tho depths of hlB eyes into the depths of mine. “Go get tho papers verified nnd let mo know when you have finished.” And this tlmo I wns In reality dismissed. I went, but. In my henrt wns a strnngo smolder thnt tho spnrk .had kindled. v In tho small room thnt opened off tlint of tho Gouverneur Faulkner, with n door thnt I knew to lend Into the room of my uncle, tbo General Robert, 1 seated myself nt n tnblo by a window .which looked down upon tho city sprend at tho foot of tho Cnpltol hill lying shimmering in the young spring mists that drifted across Its housetops. I'laid down tbo papers, took n pencil from a trny close beside my hand nnd then faced tho most dreadful of any situation thnt I bad over brought down upon my own head. I also faced at tho same time tho smiling countenance of my Buzz, who looked Into the door from tho room of my uncle, tho Gen eral Robert, slipped through thnt door nnd closed it gently behind him. "Safe on first basel Tho old boy of the bayonets has been called to the governor, and he’ll not be back before they both have luncheon sent In to them. I hnve taken his letters, nnd now I’m off. What did BUI hand you?" “Death and also destruction,” I an swered in an expletive often used by my rather In times of n entnstrophe, nnd with those words I showed to my Buzz tho two long papers, "Shoo; that’s no big job! I looked over nnd verified this one myself yes terday In ten minutes. Iloilo; this other one is in French! Just run It through, nnd If it is to tally call It, and I'll hold this one. Wo can do It In fifteen minutes. Go ahead from tho top lino across." And my Buzz a the paper In his hand as ho seat- msclfln renditions upon tho cor ner of ray desk bcsldo mo. "Oh, my Buzz, I linvo such a morti fication thnt I cannot add ono to nil- other of theso long figures! When I place ono number to another 1 must use my fingers, and In tills case you sco that It Is Impossible." Tears I did not allow In my eyes, but they wero In my voice, nnd I looked Into tho'oyos of my Buzz with a great terror. "What Is It that I shnll do? I am In disgrace." "You complete edition ot a kid, you; don't you know I can do It for you— thnt Is, If you know what all theso kilo things stand for in English? Do you?" As ho spoko thnt kind Buzz put his hand on my shoulder with a nice rough shake. "I do know from my governess, Mad am Foiirnet^ nnd I will wrlto It all down for you, my Buzz, for whom I feel so much grntltudo for help," I an- sweredr with quickness. "•Stow the grntltudo and wrlto 'em nil out. It will tako us about an hour, but It Is good to keep calicoes waiting occasionally," ho snld, and did there upon sent himself bcsldo tho tnblo nnd draw to himself tho two sheets of pa per, while I quickly wroto out tho ta ble of French weights nnd mensuro- meats translated Into English. I did very much enjoy that hour In which my Buzz labored with a pencil nnd a grent Industry whllo I called to him tho list of long figures nnd then verified ns l\o showed mo tbo units upon tho pngo In tho French language. IIo tnndo jokes nt mo between work ings whllo 1m attended bis cigarette nnd we, together, hnd much laughter. “There nro just three places whoro theso figures disagree, nnd I hnve mnrk- cd them carefully, L’Alglon," ho snld, ns nt last bo laid down both pieces of tbo paper. "Theso French specifica tions nnd figures thnt doored you rep resent tho Ideal mulo In bulk, nnd these United States figures promise the same multitude in scrub. I thought ns much. You Just run In thoro to Bill with them.nnd then forget you ever saw them nnd wo’ll bo on our way to tbo girls In ton minutes. Bobby, I mean It wheu I say that men In your and my positions of truBt just forget facts and figures tbo minute wo got out of sight of our chiefs. And wo for get the chiefs, too, believe me. Now run along nml come out to tho car on too same trot." "Is It of honor not to toll to tho Gouv- crncur Fnulkner thnt you assisted me In tills task, my Buzz?" I asked of hint with anxiety. "No need to tell 4ilm—It’s nil In tho same office nnd will come to mo for filing. Don't say anything thnt will bring on talk that keeps us from Sue nnd the gnng. Just run!” With which advice my kind Buzz disappeared through, tho door Into tho office of my uncle, the General Robert, ns I softly opened the door of tho room of the ’Gouverneur Fnulkner nnd entered Into his presence. And In thnt pro'jcnco I found also my uncle, tho General Rob ert, In a very grave consultation with the Gouverneur Fnulkner. “Tho papers completed, your excel lency," I snld In a very low nnd meek tone of my voice ns I laid the pnpers bcsldo film on tho table nnd prepared to take the running departure thnt my Buzz linil commanded of mo. Tho two hours thnt I spoilt .with, my Buzz nt Ills club In tho country with what ho enllcd in front <?f their very faces bunches of calico passed with such a rapidity thnt I felt I must grasp each miuuto and remonstrate with them for their ficctncss. That Milo. Sue wns oven much more lovely In her gray costume of golf with a tie the color of the one worn by my Buzz than she hnd been In her chiffon of the dinner dance,, and tho beautiful Bello was much tho same, with an added gnyety nnd charm, whllo I dis covered a very sweet Kate Keith nnd n Mildred Summers who wns not of a grent beauty, but of many Interesting remarks which induced much laugh ing. With them wero that Miles Mencfco whom my Buzz had recom mended to me nnd also several young gentlemen of America whom I like ex ceedingly. "Como on, L’Alglon.' It’s tlmo to hent it Wo nro Into, nnd Sue Is be ginning to shoo,” called my Buzz from tlio door of tho card room. “My Buzz," I snid to thnt Mr. Buzz Clendennlng ns he raced tho slim car through tho country and the city up to tho Cnpltol hill, “you glvo to mo a life of much joy in. only a few days. I would thnt It could so continue;" “That’s nil right, Prince. Don’t men tion It,” ho nnswored me, with a laugh. “And, say, let’s get to work, because nt about 4 o'clock I'll havo something that’ll glvo Jon a start." “Oh, but, my Buzz, at 4 o’clock I must go for tea to the home of beauti ful Madam Whitworth." “Whe-ee-uh!" whistled my Buzz as lio looked, nt mo from tho top of -my head to the too of my shoe. “Go ahead, sport, but accept It from mo that Mndnm Tat Is tho genuine and original pump, so don’t let her empty you. Do you wnht mo to copo by nnd extract you nt about fifteen to 5? I’m sorry, but I really must havo a busi ness Interview with you before 0." And my Buzz’s eyes twinkled with something thnt wns of a great pleas ure to him, I could observe. “It would bo of moro pleasure to mo If you enmo at tho half of 0, my Buzz," I made n hurry to nssuro him, for I had a great dread of nil of tho false hoods I was to say. to that Madam Whitworth thnt afternoon for tho pur- •poso of extracting perhaps a little wicked truth from her to help In the defense of my Gouverneur Faulkner. “I’m on," answered my Buzz prompt ly. “Bent itl I bear tho old boy growl ing." And ho disappeared behind tho door of my uncle, tho General Robert. I went to tho duty of assuring the nlco gbntlcliinn In very rough clothing thnt tbd fcouvfittiour would In tho morning ren’dtho pnpor on tho subject of mak ing It long road past his property In good condition by a vote. The hour of 4 ended my duties for the afcft Roberta, mnrqulso of Grcz nml Byd, did so long to go Into that room of tho Gouverneur Faulkner nnd rocelvo upon her hand ono nlco klsB of good night from him, but Mr. Robert Car- ruthors walked down from tho cnpltol ana only paused to lift for a little sec ond his very linndsome hat toward tho window of his excellency’s room high up above. And tho encounter with tho beauti ful Madam Whitworth wns much Worse than I hnd thought thnt It would bo, though also it was of a very Interesting excitement. Bho had mado nrmnmcuts for tho encounter In tho shnpo of a very lovely ton appnrcl of an Incredible thinness to bo used for covering, a llttlo low fire In tho golden grato nnd curtnlns of roso to throw Bomowliat of glow over tho situation. Immediately I was scutcd bcsldo her on a small dlvnn upon'which there wns room for only ono nnd a half per sons, nnd my stupidity wns called Into _ vigorous action. "I supposo you linvo spout tho day In translating a lot of thoso long and tlrcsorao French documents for tho general nnd tbo governor. Thank goodness, that Is no longer my task,” slio remarked as i sho tipped tho cog nac bottle over my ten nnd handed tho cup to me. "It Is of a grent fatlguo to work upon a matter that ono docs not at all understand," I answered her as I tip ped nt thnt ten of a very dlsagrccablo tasto bccauso of tho cognac. "Did they glvo you tho two sets of specifications to compnro?" sho asked of me, with not much of Interest ap parent in her manner, though her hand shook as sho poured for herself a very small cup of tea, which was then filled complete with cognnc. "Heins," I answered, with a sigh. “And It is impossible for mo' to add moro figures to each other thnu my fingers will allow. I cannot even use my toes." “Then he didn’t get them ready for tho conference tbls afternoon?" sho de manded, with a grent Illumination of joy In her face. “Oh, Indeed, 1 handed them bnck completed to his excellency in a short space of time. Is not ono mulo like to another oxnctly? And why should a pnper mnko them different?" I ques tioned, with deceit of stupidity. “You nro a dear'boy," laughed that Madam Whitmore. "Of course those specifications agree, for I worked n whole day over thorn. And I’m glnd you didn’t tiro your eyes out with them. You know, you nro really n very beautiful creature, nnd I think I’ll kiss you Just once, purely for tho plcnsuro of it." And I thereupon re ceived n kiss upon my lips from the curled flower which wns tho mouth of that beautiful Madam Whitworth. “Is It that tho stupid Gouverneur Fnulkner must very Boon Blgn that pnper thnt sends tho many strong- mules to carry food to-the soldiers of Franco fighting In tho trenches?” I nsked of her ns I made her comfortable In tho hollow of my arm. "If ho doesn't sign them In a very few days tho deal Is all off,” Bho nn swored me. “Jeff hns got his capital to put up from some northern men who are—nro restless nnd—nnd sus picious. It must go through nnd im mediately.” “Then It must bo accomplished im mediately,” I answered her with deci sion. • “The agent of tho French govern ment will bo hero on Tuesday, nnd nil of theso preliminary papers must be signed before ho can close tho matter up finally. I hope thnt tho conference over thoso specifications this afternoon will bo tho Inst. Aro you sure you discovered no flaw over which the old general or tho big stupid governor enn haggle?” "I discovered not a flaw," I answer ed her, with a great posttlvcness. “Do you say thnt It Is soon thnt those rep resentatives of my government come “It Is for Franco wo plot." to mnko a last signing of tbo papors about the excellent mules to bo sent from tho great state of Harpcth to Franco who Is nt a war of death? I had not heard of tho nearness of tho visit nt tho cnpltol.” “They don’t know It—thnt is, Gov- omor-Fnulknor does, but has told only mo. Ho sees things my way, but of— of course ho has to keep his councils from his secrotary of state for tho tlmo being. And I’m telling you all about It because—bccauso it Is for Franco wo plot nnd bccauso I—this Is tho way to say It." And with those wicked words, which Involved tho honor of tho great Gouverneur Faulkner, sho pressed her body closo to mine and her Ups upon my mouth. CHAPTER IX. Brothers by Bloodshot!. F OR thnt caress of that wicked woman 1 had not sufficient en durance, and I pushed her from mo with roughness nnd sprang to my feet. "It Is not true, Madum Whitworth, tlint"— I was exclaiming when I caught myself In the midst of my own betrayal Just as I was about to bo shown luto a plot which it was of much vnluo to know. And us my words ceased I stood and trembled beforo her wickedness. "Do you know, Mr. Robert Cnrruth- ers, I do not entirely understand you," sho snld, with a great nnd beautiful calmness ns Bho lighted a cigarette and looked at mo trembling beforo her. "You nro a very bold young cavalier, but you havo tho shrinking nature of- Bhnll I say—a French—girl I” As sho spoko thoso words, which began In sarcasm but ended In a queor, uncertain tono ot suspicion, as If she had blundered on a reason to soothe her vanity for tho recoil of my lips from hers, an ugly gleam shot from, under her lowered lashes. “I am tho son of tho house of Cnr- ruthers as well as of Grcz and Bye, beautiful madam, and I cannot endure that you put upon my very good uncle, tho General Carruthcrs, an unfriendli ness to Francol" I exclaimed with a quickness ot my brain thnt I bad not beforo discovered. “On points of hon or I havo that sensitiveness that you say to bo—bo of a woman." “Oh, my darling boy I I didn't mean to hurt you about that nbsiird old feud of— And as sho spoko tho beau tiful Madam Patricia rose nnd came upon mo with outstretched arms for another abhorred embrace, which It was to my good fortune! tv have Inter rupted. But I had a fenr of that sus picion I hnd seen flashed Into hot- mind even though lulled by my lino assump tion of tho attitude of a man of honor. “Lovely and beautiful madam.” 1 made n beginning to sny, when— "Ob, yes, Mr. Carruthcrs Is here, for I have an appointment to call for him," an Interruption came hi tho voice of my Buzz In remonstrance with the blnelc maid of Madam Whitworth In the hall of her house. # "Como In, Buzz, dear," called that beautiful Madam Whitworth ns In ono small Instant sho changed both her po sition with arms on my shoulder nnd her countenanco of anger and anxiety. Sho wns a very wise nnd beautiful nnd much experienced woman, was that Madam Whitworth, but sho had given to mo, unlessoncd ns I wns In tho art of politics, tho fact thnt I most want ed: that tho two papers containing the specifications concerning tho mules bad been mistranslated by her. "Put a sbawl around you, Madam Pat, and come out hero to the street a minute to see what is going to hap pen to tho Prlnco of Carruthers," said my rescuer as he Inserted hts head Into the room for ono little minute and beckoned us to follow him. And what did I find out there upon thnt street? . I then experienced a surprlso that gave to mo a very great pleasure and. which made my heart to expand until It almost burst the restraint of that towel of tho bath under the bog of my brown cheviot coot Before the nnd I hopo you’ll break tho nocks of Vornour Faulkner that wns ns clear about two dozen young females In this find beautiful ns tho call of tho buglo town boforo tho week’s out. Begin on to men for a bnttlo. that baggage,' Susan, right away." “I dono what I hnd to, nnd I’m And as ho spoko my undo, tho General ready to dlo for It. l’vo got nothing Robert, enmo down tho stops of tho to Sny,” nnswored tho man, with still great club of Old Hickory with tho moro of tho determination of misery Gouverncur Falkuer nnd stood bcsldo in his voice; “My nojghbors don’t my Cherry with me. know nothing about it, nnd I don’t "Ho’s no better man than I, general," want ’em to. Just lot thorn keep door of tho house of tho beautiful Madam Whitworth stood tho gray rac- bits nud I can’t oven sny so. lng car of my Buzz, and beforo It youngster,^ I'm squealing to stood n slim car of a similar make, only It wns of tho darkest amethyst that seemed to be almost a black, whllo behind It stood one of equal if not superior elegance of shapo which had the beautiful blackness of jet. That wns not all. Across the street stood also a enr of a golden brown and to tho front of It ono of tho red of a very dark cherry. “There you aro," said my Buzz, with a wave of bis hand. “Pick, one, with tho compliments of tho general. I think the amethyst Is a Jewel.” "Oh, It is not possible to me to ac cept a present of such delight from my good uncle, the General Robert. I must go to him nnd sny thnt I am not •worthy I” I exclaimed, with a large fal tering In my voice. "All right. Just Jump into the one you like best and drive on down to the Old Hickory club and sny It to him. Sorry thnt you can’t como along, Mrs. Pat, but that glad rag you’ve got on Is too grent a beauty with which to appear In public. Better take It luto the house before you catch a cold In this breeze." “Yes, I must run lu," answered Mndnm Whitworth, with a slight shiv- cring in her gown of great thinness. "They nro perfectly wonderful, boy. nnd I sny choose tho brown darling." "Governor Bill picked the cherry from the catalogue for us day before yesterday, but I think the amethyst Im3 got It bent,” answered my 'Buzz ns he stnrtod toward his own- can “Jump into your choice nnd lead me on down to hear you refuse it to old forty-two centimeter. And, mind, I have arranged n little dinner for you tonight.” Then without further remark I fol lowed him down the steps nnd got Into that car which was the color of the heart of the cherry, nnd I raced that Mr. Bumblebee through the city of Haycsvlllc in a manner which put to (light n large population thereof. I had not had my hands on tho wheel of a racing car for tho many months since my father in his had left the small Plerro nud Nnnnetto nnd mo w.eeplng on tho terrace of tho Cha teau do Gtoz when ho went to tho bat tlefield of the Marne, and I drovo with all of that accumulated fury within me. And this is what my undo, tho Gen eral Robert, answered to me as 1 told him of my unworthiness of his gift of tho most beautiful cherry ear: “That is a just return for your con slderatlon for me in being born a boy. and 1’vo been trying It all year,” nn swored my Buzz, with ono of thoso de lectable grinnlngs upon his face. “Indeed, my much loved Undo Rob ert, it Is Impossible thnt I accept ybur gift In grntltudo thnt I am not a worn an,'bccauso for tho good reason”— nnd my honor Was about to rise up In arms nnd betray tho daredevil nud her schemes within mo when that good nnd most beloved Gouverneur Faulk- uor Interrupted mo by stepping Into tho cherry bcsldo mo with a laugh. “Thank you, gonoral. This Ib Just what X need in all of my business with Robert. Wo’U bo bnck In tlmo to dlno with you nt 7 hero nt tho club. Go out to tho West End, Robdrt” And with his hand on tho spnrk ho started the cherry, nnd I was forced to sweep nway from my Buzz nnd my undo, the General Robert, into tho traffic and away from tho club of Old Hickory, which Is named for n very great gen eral of America and is a club of much fnshlou and somo bad behavior, my Buzz has said to mo. “I really didn’t mean to kidnap you and tho car, youngster, but I’vo hnd a pain uuder my left pocket nil dny nnd I havo got to operate on It. A sudden Impulse told mo that It would bo easier If I took you with mo to—to sort o' stand by,” said my beautiful Gouvor- nour Faulkner In a grave tono of voice as I whirled hlm-out the broad avenue thnt led to tho west end of tho city. “Oh, my Gouverneur Faulkner, is It that you nro ill, perhaps to die by a knife?” I exclaimed, nnd for a second I let that wild cherry run In n very dangerous manner almost upon anoth er large car In tho act of turning into tho street. “No, not thnt, Robert,” ho answered mo quickly, nnd he laid his hand on my arm beside him for an instant as if to give a steadiness to me. “I wnnt you to take me out to tho stnto prison. I wnnt to talk fnco to fnco with a man who killed his own brother In cold blood, it Is said. A pretty powerful In fluence is nt me day nnd night for a reprieve, and I—I don’t know what to do about it. It is a difficult case. If I went in my official capacity to see the man It might give his friends’ un due hopes, and suddenly I felt that I could run away from tho whole bunch at this hour of tho day and see the rann himself without anybody’s know ing It save the superintendent of the prison nnd myself. You don’t count, because in this caso you are myself.” “Always I would be yourself to you, my reverenced Gouverneur Faulkner," I mado reply to- him as I raised my eyes to his deep ones that smiled down liiio them. > “I wonder If thnt Is as good ns It sounds, boy?" asked my Gouverneur Faulkner gently as ho looked down at me with both a laugh and a sadness Influencing the smile of his mouth. “Sometimes I badly need two of my self. They are at me from wakbig to sleeping, and I often feel cut into little In fact, you more than I’ve let myself do since I became the chief executive of this state of Har- peth. Now, turn off Into this road and go Straight ahead. Tho prison is about a mile back there nt tho foot of that bill.’’ “I—I like thoso squeals," I answered to his smile as I put my cherry against the spring wind and raced down that long road at a great speed that pre vented any moro conversation at that moment. My pride bade mo-show to that gouverneur of Harpeth what good driving In a fine car I was nblo to ac complish. Therefore It was not many minutes before we stood within tho doors of that very grim and terrible home of the human beings who havo sinned with a groat crime. I know thnt I am never to forget that hour and am to carry forever tho wound that It inflicted upon my heart as I walked through the dimness and grayness and still ness of that dark house. At last, with many unlockings _ of heavy doors by the director of that prison, wo stood In a room that wns as n cage in which to keep the human animal that crouched down upon hard bed In one of Its corners nnd leaned a head shaved boro of any hair upon a very thin and white hand, “Leave mo, superintendent, for a few minutes. The young man will stay by tho door to let you know when I wnnt you,” said thnt Gouverneur Faulkner to tho superintendent, who nodded and left tho roomns.I took a position over besido the heavy Iron bars thnt swung together after him. “My man," said the Gouverneur Faulkner In n voice thnt was so gen tle as that which a mother uses to a child In severe Illness, “I want you to let mo sit down on your cot beside you and talk to you about your trou ble.” "Got nothing to say, parson. I done It, and I want to swing as quick as tho law sends mo," answered tho poor human from behind his hands without even raising his bowed head. "I am not a minister, nnd I’vo como to talk to you bccauso somo of your neighbors nud friends think that there may bo a reason why you should pjt bo hanged for the death of jMur brother. “It Is my duty to help them keep you from the penalty of tho law, which you may not desorvo oven If y,/u de sire it Can you tell mo your story as man to man, with tho hopo that it will help you to a reprieve?” And ns ho spoko I observed a tono of com mand como ii'ifi the voice c/ by q 0 u- quiet nnd let It nil dlo when tho stnto swings me." "So thoro Is somo secret about tho matter that you nro willing to dlo to keep, is there?” nsked tho Gouverneur Fnulkner, with a quickness of com mand In his voice, “What hnd your brother dono to Mary Brown thnt you killed him for doing?" “Curso youl What’s that to you?" snarled the mail as ho sprang up from bcsldo the gouverneur and leaned, .crouched nnd pnntlng, against tho bars “I done Itl” of tho cage In which tho threo of us wero Inclosed. "Who nro you any way? My stnto has snld I wns to swing for killing him, and there’s no moro to question about it” "I am tho governor of your state,” answered that Gouverneur Faulkner as ho rose and stood, tall and com manding, beforo tho poor human being who was cowering as a dog that had felt the lash of a whip. “You aro my son because you aro a son of the stato ot Harpcth, and as a representative of that stato I am going to oxerciso my guardianship-and If posslblo prevent the state from the crlmo of taking your life if you do not deserve punishment,” “I’m condemned by tho laws of tho state. You can’t go bnck on that, gov ernor or no_ governor," mado answer tbo man, with a panting of misery In his voice. “As you know, there are certain un written laws which have more Influ ence In somo cases as to tho guilt of a murderer than any on tho statute books,” said the Gouverneur Faulkner with a very great slowness, so that tho poor human dog might comprehend him. “If you killed your brother to save—save Mary Brown from worse than death then you have not the right to demand execution from your state to shelter her from publicity when sho Is no longer In danger of anything Worse. Did you get to her In time to save her or"— "Yes, I did nnd I hnd. Curso you! I’ll have to kill you for getting words out of mo that all tho lawyers havo tried to make mo say all this time.” And with tho oath and a snarl tho man made a lunge nt my Gouverneur Faulk ner with something keen and shining - that he had drawn from tho top of his coarso boot. But that poor human being of tho prison was not of enough quickness to do tho killing of his desire In -the faco of Roberta, marquise of Grez nnd Bye, who had twice with her foil pricked the red cloth heart of tho young Count de Couertolr, the best ■mm I Parried the Blow of tho Kntfo. swordsman of Franco, In gay combat In tbo great hall of the old Chateau do Grcz. With my walking enno of a young gentleman of American fash ion, which I had taken with mo to call upon tho beautiful Madam Whitworth beforo my cherry hnd befallen mo as ft gift nnd which I had without thought brought Into that prison with mo, I parried tho blow of the knlfo at my beloved Gouverneur Fnulkner, but not In such n manner as to provent a glanc ing of that knife; which Inflicted a scratch of considerable depth upon my forearm under its sleeve of brown Cheviot "Great heavens, boy!” exclaimed that Gouverneur Faulkner as he caught the from tho floor where It had fall* iB from the hand of the poor man, who iftd Sunk down on tho cot, trembling and panting. “Two Inches to tho left and a llttlo moro force and the knife would have stuck In your heart.” “Is it not better my heart than yours, my grent Gouverneur Faulkner? And, behold, it Is the heart of neither hnd only a small scratch upon my humble arm, which will not oven prevent tho driving of that new Cherry car," I an- swored him as I put that arm behind mo and pressed It closo in Its slcovo of brown cheviot so thnt there would bo no drippings of blood.