1913-12-27 — Page 8

K

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

EXTRA

HONGKONG, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1913.

SHORT STORY."

THE ZIBELLINE COAT

BY EDITH MACVANE.

with the warmth of a kitten against her side.

|

1

There, monsieur," he cried gaily.

"do me the favour to read The correspondence from Con- stantinople, and I think you will be convinced !"

"After dejsanar,

Pasha!" begged the Frenchman, with a little deprecating smile, as he stufted the newspaper into the pooket of his fur-lined coat, silk Landkerchief from the pocket. directly there, and avoid the A newspaper. A-a paper bowed and murmured:

L

scene that would be inevitable at

his tone a little shiver ran down At the intense earnestness of

Fanny's spine. Risk of life! Bat, after all, what was her life? And, left alone, where were her means to preserve it?

"Yes," she answered. bright eyes bored into her soul. Like gimlets of light, her host's "You name, mademoiselle?"

She told him. He drew a long

SHORT SERMON.

The Window That Opaned "Toward Jerusalem.

for us all in that little mention of

I think there is a great lesson

Daniel's opening his window ward his Jerusalem.

to-

We are all more or lea rigorously held captive by the circumstances of our outward to be where we would. condition; we are never quite free

Compulsions and limitations press upon us.

**Madame! I make you all my Barks, which is the nearest of "I had meant," he said, "to excuses, but I think that by mir- the Boia' restaurante ?”.

sot alone. But fate has interfer She turned toward the lift, take you took my driving coat, "Monsieur, I should say ed. Without you I can do noth Then, down the length of the just now, at the Ritz."

Amenonville.”

ing. But with your help-if I aroked corridor that led to the With an air of languid surprise, "Then drive us there. Ma- may judge from the wit anti dining-room, she caught a glimpse Fanny turned, The faos that she demoiselle, will you do me the audacity you have displayed-I of the young man with the met struck her anew by its honour to accompany me?" can do that which I might not Now when Daniel knew that Roman nose, whom it was now haughty and regular lineaments, Fanny hesitated and her colour accomplish alone. And, in any the writing was signed, he went her chief purpose to avoid. No; which jest now were bent on her rose.

case, I have no choice but to sak into his house; and his windows her room would be the worst pos with some severity, as on a The stranger laughed. "Ma- your aid. Will you give me your Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his being open in his chamber toward sible place. Who could tell how naughty child. She answered demoiselle, please observe that word of honour to serve me loy knees three times a day, and. soon she would be interrupted | briefly:

if I were a man capable of violence ally? I need not say I give the prayed, and gave thanks before and the mistake obeck reotified? Monsieur, it is you that are I might long ago bave used it in same pledge to you. I only add, his God, as he did aforetime." Following the reckless impulse mistaken. I did not take your this solitary spot. On my word the adventure is one that may Daniel, vi, 10. Out of the elegant Parisian With this thought in her mind, of adventure that had seized her, coat.'

of honour as a gentleman, you can involve some risk of life." crowed swarming through the che torned toward the cloak-the excited girl dashed to the "But, madame," cried the trust me! Do me the favour to hall of the Ritz at the hour of de room. At that moment the young door of the hotel and out into the stranger excitedly, "I beg your step into my auto, and we will jeuner, two men suddenly de- man with the Roman nose strolled frosty March air.

pardon, but that is my cost you go to Amenonville.” tached themselves to Fanny paal her once more, carrying a "Call me a taxi quickly.!" she are wearing at this instant! And, In spite of the intensity of his Gordon's eye. One, a very sallow cocktail glass in his hand With said imperiously to the uniformed as you see, I have none."" voice, ita accents invited. confi and cynical-eyed young man, was an air of supreme indifference, attendant at the door.

In fact, he stood straight and deace. She stepped into the conspicuous for his red fez and his clear blue eyes glanced about The next instant she was in supple in his dark gray suit, un-tonneau, while the stranger paid much befrogged uniform. The him as if he had come back from stalled in a throbbing red motor. sheltered from the kean March her taximeter and flung himself other, whose blue eyes glittered the restaurant to look for some

"Drive me to the Bois!" she said. wind. But Fanny was obdurate. into his place beside the chauffeur. with an evident excitement, wore one and that some one were not" And, chauffeur, listen! I have She even smiled slightly. Precisely sixty seconds later he a fur-lined coat of noticable rich-worth the seeking.

been much annoyed by a man "Monsieur," she answered had helped her from the car and ness. As the two passed by At the entrance of the cloak. that is following me. If he at courteously, "it is always pos- was conducting her into the palm- Fanny on their way to the room he suddenly stumbled. and tempts to follow the automobile, sible the boy at the Ritz may lined hall of the Bois smartest breath and touched her hand son us.

The exigencies of our lot impri- vestiaire, the Turkish officer toss the cocktail glasa fell crashing to you are not to let him catch us have given me the wrong coat, If restaurant. At the desk sat a across the table in token of their al- ad a newspaper into the hand of the floor. The attendant sprang There will be a good pourboire at this is yours, describe to me the stout, arrogant man arranging liance."Mademoiselle, in trusting sort of homesick longing for some We are always conscious of a bia Parisian companion. forward to mend the damage the end. Do you understand ?" contents of the pockets and you gold coins in symmetrical piles. you with this secret I am trusting other and better atste nome- Quick as thought, the stranger. The chauffeur nodded, and the shall have it immediately." Fanny's escort strode toward him. you with my life. But you have thing that has been or that might stepped up to his overcoat, re-machine started violently ahead "Certainly," he replied pro- Monsieur, a favour! Will you eaten of my salt, and your eyes be, or will be, or that at least moved the check pinned upon it, roross the Place Vendomo and mptly, "a pair of gloves. A kindly tell this young lady who are not eyes that could betray. looks possible and desirable. and fastened it to the zibelline whirled out into the Rue Boetie, handkerchief="

I am? It is a bet."

Listen! This winter I have had

There is almost always a certain lined coat worn by the gentleman Hurriedly Fanny turned the "What initial?" interrupted The stout man slid from his heavy losses on the Bourse. And, degree of hardness and confine who had entered with the Turk, zibelline coat between her hands. Fanny.

seat, knocking his golden piles so, like many others of my monds ment and galling restriction in The numbered slip belonging to lf she could find clue to the "B" he replied, and his eyes into unhooded confusion. Arro. I occasionally act in the employ the immediate circumstances that this last be replaced upon the owner's name and address, she defied here. Then he added gance became supple humility as, ment of the Secret Service. At hem na in sleeve of his own garment, took a might order the chauffeur to drive quickly:

bringing his heels together, he this moment"-he lowered his Many man's present actual voice and spoke with intense condition is a perfect Babylon, The next moment they had blew his nose londly, tossed a

"But these articles you enume- "Monsieur le Vicomta! Too rapidity-"I serve Bulgarie, who a bondage, a state of exile from both left their outer garmente in frane to the keesling attendant, the hotel.

rale, monsieur," returned Fanny much honour! But who is there wants me to procure for her & the soul's freedom and peace, a the cloak-room, pooketed the and strolled back toward the re- There were pockets inside and smoothly," are such as are comin Paris that does not know copy of the new secret treaty shutting out from all the fondest checks, and mingled with the staurant. The whole business out. A pair of fur motor gloves monly found in overcoat pockets, Monsieur le Vicomte Raoul de between Vienna and Constanti- desires of the heart. And in the drifting orowd that with one had been performed with auch and goggles, a white silk hand. And as for the initial, of course-Ohstellerault?"

nople. In this treaty, we have most favoured lot there are ari- accord were moving toward the assurance and with ed admirable a kerchief with the embroidered Bat this paper you speak of, wo Fanny started. The Visomie reason to believe, Austria agrees gencies that gall the limbs and hotel'e restaurant.

sleight-of-band that for an instant initial B, a last night's theatre have there something more de Chatellerault was one of the to supply Turkey with munitions hem in the liberties of the soul Though hungry with the un-ficance of what she had sean,

Fanny hardly realized the signi programine, a bottle of violet per precise. Describe it please!" two most celebrated young men of war, for the war she is now and expose it to many an irksome fuae in a dainty satin case, tied He swallowed his obviously in Paris, its most famous duelist, waging against the Balkan Allies. endurance, and many an Assyrian "spoiled appetile of twenty four!

Che thrilled with a sudden odd up as for a present to a lady growing rage. "A-a letter! ** ita most dashing horseman, its Turkey, on her side, grants homiliation, and many a sense of years, Fanny dared not follow!

emotion. "He is tealing that these were all she found, except She nodded. "Yes--directed most exquisite art connoisseur; Austria an exclusive concession baffled endeavours and hampered them. That very morning, after fur coat! Why? His own is just the copy of the Matin still sticking to whom?"

the brother of the beautiful for the new Teheran railway. If faculties and darkened hopes. a brief but violent scene, nbe had

as, handsome!".

from the outer pocket. With a "Mademoiselle y concierge Duchesse d'Ubzao, gleams of Bazin gets a sight of that treaty We cannot live well or wisely separated from Mra, de Morgan. In the midst of her own enfor- sudden thought, she opened the handed it to me as I left my whose aristocratia splendour had he may make millions by buying or happily unless we have the young widow who had brought ed idleness, curiosity suddenly paper and searched its columns house this morning, andma foil penetrated her, a fatherless girl, to Europe. famed bigh. She mused with Marked passages there were none, I had not yet had time even to Bohemian cirole into which way, as well as subscribing to the sionally in spirit, and to a greater

even the tawdry up all the land on the right of the means of escaping occa The sources of her beautiful, ohaperon's facile wealth, the part that other man's coat? Why?"

intensity: Why does he went but a lotier whirled to her feet. glance at it |-

Fanny'a late chaperon bad pre- capital stock. It is his last chance or less distance, from these daily She anatoked it. Her finger "Bat, monsieur, it must have sentod ́her. which the young girl herself was

-I happen to know that if he scenes and straits and surround- Suddenly, with an odd little touched the wax that sealad it; been directed to you, or your

"And now,

if Monalear le does not succeed in palling off inge perhaps to play in the proposed motor trip to Monte Carlo-Fanny shock, she realized that if she but on the other side, to her in- concierge would not have handed Vicomte will conduct Madame to this coup he is a ruined man. There must be windows to our shivered yet as she thought of the chose to gratify her curiosity she tense disappointment, her eye it to you!**

the dining-room, I will engage to A desperate man, and dangerous Iohamber of life, looking afar and perils that her sharp eyes and need be afraid of no risks, because behold no address whatever. So In the handsome face before find him a table

So, with all the money he can toward fairer scenes. And there her situation could not possibly far as its outside went, the her the lines of pride, wavered Fanny hesitated, but her heal raise, he has bribed Irman Pasha are much windows provided, and quick logic had enabled her to lincover in time.

be worse than it was at present. envelope in her hand was entirely and broke. The blue eyes, crink. thy young appetite betrayed her, to obtain him a sight of the we must open them, and keep As a result, Hera was the immunity of the blank.

ling up into sadden dirarming The next moment she was seating treaty. however, the sumptacus touring-

And, besides, the Should be break the seal? laagliter, seemed for the frat berself at a little flower-rimmed

them open, and it at them, and car with its merry grew had de desperate.

This very morning the treaty kneel at them, and look away into parted for Mediterranean shores reward-the cash reward to be Should she return to the Ritz time to take cognizance of the table in an angle of the orowded was signed and sealed by the the horizon, and breaths the sire without her. And here stood the rightful owner! Quick as a panion ? At that moment a siren glanced sideways to make sure gesture, her escort lifted the fur special envoys of Vienna and of so win freedom and expansion gained by returning the coat 10 and seek the Turk and his com- girlish beauty before them. Be restaurant. With a courteous bigh contracting parties, the that come from the distance, and Fanny Gordon alone in Paris, dach, sie jumped to her feet and screamed almost in her ears. that the drivers were out of hear-cost from her shoulders, and the Constantinople. And, according for our lives. pinkcheeked and pretty in her atrolled to the door of the coat-Tarning, she saw a large black ing of them.

saw his hands ran like water from to secret information received blue Paquin sait and deebing

I have read somewhere that it fars of black fox, with thirty-five room, new empty of all bat ils car coming, and through its org-Ah, Mademoiselle Sherlock one pocket, to another. Then he at headquarters, the Turkish is, or should be, a high principle stal screen bobeld' the bright blue Holmes! I own you have the placked out the copy of the envoy drives directly after to the of art that, in painting an interior franca in her purse and not a soul

"That's a game two can pay eyea of the Roman nosed young beiter of me there. I throw my Matin and glanced with furious Ministry of War, where from two view of any room or building, in the world, to whom she o,uld gable for the price of a ticket at" she said to herself excitedly, man streaming straight into herself on your mercy. I confess, haste through its columss. His o'clock to five he is to be cloasted there should always be represent

A glance sufficed to identify Her heart leaped. Ent her the coat is not mine-any more brow contracted the home. As she faced this grim her own brown motor-coat, hang-chauffeur, noting the pursuer, had than it is yours!"

rattled in his hand."

paper with members of the French ed some outlook into the outdoor fact and its meaning, she turned

Cabinet. As for the treaty, he world. Some window or some Fanny bridled. "But I am suddenly sick, like an airman ing on its peg where it. swift crossed the Etoile into the Avenue

"There was something else!" leaves it behind in his rooms at door left ajar. whose machine snaps beneath him impulse, she raised her hand to da Dois at full speed. At this taking it back to its owner, mon- he declared fiercely. An in- the Turkish embassy, under the If this be wanting, the picture in mid-flight.

her neck. She stambled. The hour of dejeuner the Bois de sienr!" she retorted briefly, closure-a letter- next moment a dainty pendant of Boulogne was almost empty, and The stranger's eyes surveyed "If there was a letter," retora- Irman Fashs--while Irman La. writer said, and the spec

care of his beloved nephew, will not give pleasure, the Suddenly, and for the second turquoise and diamonds, the sole the two machines thundered her with sudden gravity. He ed Fanny sweetly, as she applied fits by his absence by arranging tator will have a feeling of con- time, her eye was attracted by heirloom in her possession, flow along at racing speed: Fanny's stepped toward her.

herself to the hors d'oeuvres, "I with Bazin that in these threefinement and of suffocation. But passing stranger this time, how out and lodged bebind the steam first thought was to take the ever, with a warm and inexplic radiator by the wall. Fanny at- letter which instinct warned her Every moment is of value. That ed to the Vicomte de Chatellers embassy and with his own eyes look out, whether it be over city Mademoiselle, time presses, aan naare you, it was not direct-boore, Bazin shall slip into the give him an opening, so he can able thrill.

was the moving power of the coat, as you see, has two sides alt!": "There goes a man I'd like toʻ

"Oh, please!" she begged the whole effair, and secrete it closely broadcloth and far. It has also Her best shot her a quick, paper that Irman tossed to Bazin, the blue sky somehow into the read the treaty. And that news-roofs, or into green landscape, or know !"*

As Fanny by chance had placed attendant. "My pendentif! It's inside the front of her blouse two sides that you do not see; savage glanes. Then he placked have every reason to believe, infinite outdoors and he breathes herself near the cloak-room, the gone behind the radiator warmed er second was to turn the fur danger and riches. Take it back this watch. "Half past twelve!" holds the pass-words and the freely, and even the prison cell The obliging garcon, warmed coat inside out and slip it on. to Bazin, as you say, and you he said hurriedly. At half past keys." looks then like a part of God's newcomer perforce passed olose hy the remembrance of Mrs. de The superb zibelline lining, thus walk into the jaws of the first one Bazin will be back in the by her. As he gave his silk hat Morgan's lavish tipe, went down exposed to the air, had every ap-Listen to me and-mademoiselle. vestiaire looking for his costly, And, if you obtain them, which a human being can live

Fanny glanced at him shrewd-world. and fúrlined cont to the attendant. on his stomach and poked through pearance of a lady's winter cost. mademoiselle, won't you trust certainly no sooner, as he is one his eyes met Fanny's for an the pipes with the point of a long Then, leaning back in her corner, mo?

of the most celebrated gourmente apartments instead of Bazin ?"

you Dan enter the Envoy's happily or nobly unless it have instant. She noticed the bright pencil. Quick as winking, Fanny she enjoyed the chase. blue of the irides, the haughty detached the green numbered tag

So Bazin is the name of the in Pairs and had ordered a famous Bat her triumph was brief coat's owner, is it?" she said dejenner for himself and the He nodded excitedly. And, through and breathe through, curve of the Roman nose between from het own motor-coat, pinned The taxi-cab with the advantage slowly, as fragments of gossip Pasha. But at half past one brain the information for the commercing with things fair and them; then, with's little thrill of it to the sleeve of the zibelline which paraned must have over beard in Mrs, de Morgan's salon Mademoiselle, the ones is one of Balkan Allies! So that they can free in the distance. girlish vexation, their utter and overcoat whose number had al- parsuer, held his own with the drifted bank to her memory. life and death, or near it. Instead know when and where to seize Such windows are provided by complete obliviousness to her own ready once been changed, sttach beautiful high-speeded machine" Bazin, the great financier 2 of being my enemy, can I induce the Austrian importations of the Great Architect. charming presence. Enraged at ed the latter number to her own behind it. But suddenly the Excitement at the possibilities you to act as my ally?

munitions of war into Turkey. They are memory and imagins- her momentary weakness, she coat, and turned to thank the chauffeur of the stranger, leaning awakened by this famous name In his handsome face was all In return for this intelligence, tion and sympathy and hope and turned her back; and when next purple-faced and dusty attendant, across his master, bellowed to ran and quivered in her voice. the charm of pride when it un- the government at Sofia will pay religious faith. These are the who scrambled to his feet with Fanny's driver in an argot whose The stranger glared at her. beads to plead. Impulse, which a hundred thousand windows to be opened, and to eit her pendant in his hand.

syllables her keen eare could"Ah, the magic of a name! had set Foany to balking his francs. With careless generosity she catch but could not translate. Its And yet, matemoisello, perhaps schemes, now urged her logo

at, and kneel at, like the exiled Suddenly, as the waiter stooped Hebrew in the chamber at put a five-franc piece in his hand import, however, she was forced my name slee may baye its magic. over to his side, lined motor-coat, & present from and preronted him with

The waiter to place a blazing chafing-dish Babylon. the to understand a few moments But, if I present myself, what placed a plate of soup before her. of oysters on the table, the Mre. de Morgan, which had beou numbered check which she drew later, when her taxi, whirling for right have I to expect your belief 7 She hesitated, we Vicomte snatched again at his

My coat, the third time about the Iske, The one recommendation I have Mademoiselle," said the Viwatch.

skidded, trembled, and came to s to you is that you have seen me comte, in measured tones," there"Ten minutes gone! Mademoi- The Employers Parliament her purse. Yes, the check was

steal! And yet, it is vitally is a reward of a hundred thousand celle, decide quickly, or tennerre Council proposes to present next still here. Should she claim the painfully.

Her heart beat quickly and fall atop. 1

Bbe felt herself Swallowing her sudden terror, important that you should trust franes to be earned belarn night de Dieu! I have betrayed my Session a Bill to amend the Trade coat, drive with it to the mont de launched in mid, adventure. The she drew the fur cost about bor me. He glanced about im-fall. Do you wish a phare in it? own secret uselessly, and neither Disputes Act by limiting the num piste, and see if by pawning it next moment the garcon bad and gazed out over the gray patiently at the lonely trees." I Fanny started. A hundred of us shall touch a centime of the ber of pickets to two, confining ehe could obtain the price of a placed on her arm the coat that waters of the little lake. A voice, we were in the city, anybody gould thonend francs! She nodded, hundred thousand frenos! few days' board at some cheap bore her number, and whose deep but of singularly agreeable tell you who I am." He raised dark eyes glowing. Her host persion?

Juxurious zibelline lining ouddled quality, struck on her ear his voice to address his ohauffeur Jenrveyed her keenly,

(To bo Concluded next Saturday) responsibility to labour unions

a

she glanced toward to cloakroom, the stranger waa gone,

Suddenly there came to ber

mind the thought of her own for

attendant.

tered a muffled soream.

left bere in the cloak-room at tea from her silver bag.

time the day before. She opened" please 1"...

There is no condition of life it

www windows for the soul to look

Trades Dispute Bill

picketing to the place at whic

person works, and to