"I know! I know!" she moaned. "Oh, if you'd only give it up! Give it up

this time, only this one time to please me, Ted, dear."

He shook his head.

"I'd do anything to please you, but I'm not alone in this plant, you

know; there's others; and I can't go back on my pals; so you mustn't go

back on me."

He spoke in the tone which the man who has the woman in his power can

use so effectually; then his voice grew softer, and he stroked her cheek

gently.

"And think of what this means if we pull this off, Fan! No more dodging

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and hiding, no more risks of chokee and a 'life' for me, and no more

slaving and lady's-maiding for you! We'll be off together to some

foreign clime, as the poet calls it; and, with plenty of the ready, I

fancy you'll cut a dash as Mrs. Ted."

It was the one bait which he knew would be irresistible. She caught her

breath, and, pressing closer to him, looked up into his eyes eagerly.

"You mean it, Ted? You won't deceive me again? You'll keep your word?"

"Honor bright!" he responded. "Why shouldn't I? You know I'm fond of

you. I'd have married you months ago if I'd struck a piece of luck like

this; but what was the use of marrying when I had to--work, and there

was the chance of my being collared any day of the week? No! But I

promise you that if we pull this off, I am going to settle down; I shall

be glad enough to do it. We'll have a little cottage, or a flat on the

Continong, eh, Fan? Is the countess going to send the diamonds back to

the bank to-morrow?"

He put the question abruptly, but in a low and impressive voice.

Burden shook her head.

"No," she replied reluctantly. "I--I asked her maid; they were talking

about them just before I came out. Everybody was talking about them at

the ball, and her ladyship's maid gives herself airs on account of

them."

"Gases about them? Very natural. And she says?"

"There's a dinner party the night after next, and the countess thought

it wasn't worth while sending them to the bank for one day. She's going

to keep them in the safe in her room."

Ted's eyes glistened, and he nodded.

"Who keeps the key of the safe, Fan?" he asked; and though they were far

from any chance of listeners, his voice dropped to a whisper.




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