Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-16

folly. you've driven that little girl. who
loves you as only woman can love a fool,
to try to gain for you a wretched ten thous-
and francs in exchange, you little ass, for
her own life!'
Mr.. Nash came and laid his hand upon
his impulsive friends impulsiye arm.
STEADY. Hugh
Thus recalled to himself, and to the con-
Nentions of civilized society. Mr. Kennard
replaced his host upon his feet upon the
noor. M. Gerbert seemed SO taken aback
able. for the moment, to do nothing but
pant and cape. In the sudden silence a
pass key was heard being inserted in the
door without. 1t was opened. A woman
came in. 1t was the woman who. that
morning, had visited Mr.. kennard.
Alphonsep' she exclaimed. "What is it?''
She caught sight of Mr.. Kennard. and knew
him. Monsieur Hugh Kennard! Mon
Dieu"
She crouched back against the wall, as
If. if she could. she would shrink right
through 1t. One could see that she was
trembling in every limb. Her veil was up,
of her face were trembling. In the uncer-
tain light she looked more childish even
than she had done in the morning. Mr..
kennard moved forward. rn
MY childr he said.
mo! nor She put up her hands as II
to ward him from her. "Alphonse! AL
phonse! Do not let him touch me!'
1t was pitiful to see her. 1t almost seem
this one little girl. In the face of her too
obvious aversion, Mr.. Kennard all at once
was tongue-tied. AS usual, Mr. Nash was
more self-possessed than his friend. He
touched his host gently on the arm.
"Geroert, may 1 beg from you the honor
of an introduction to madame?"
NJ Gerbert appeared to be struggling with
a waking dream. AS his faculties returned,
with slight gesture, he, as 1t We're, brush
ed Mr.. Nash aside.
Permit me- He advanced till he stood
quite close to the woman covering against
the wall. He looked at her for a moment
in silence. ''Ah--it is you" He returned
to Mr. Kennard. 81 believe. Mr.. kennard,
that you are a larger man than l. ON the
other hand and at the same time, II Is true
I am beggar."
mental confusion. He had eyes only for
the girl quivering against the wall
my dear Gerbert. upon my soul l beg
your pardon. Won't-wont you introduce
me to Madame Gerbelt?"
ITO Madame Gerbert?" Clasping his
hands behind his back, M. Gerbert fell into
pose which, If we are to believe the
painters, was a favorite one of the hrst
Napcleon's. '1t appears that you already
are acquainted with Madame Gerbert."
1.-THE acquaintance is of an Informal
kind"
$50 I should lima CINE" The red-haired
little man addressed himself to his girl
wife. His words seemed to make her
CULVER as if they had been so many lashes
you had gone
"Alphonser' was all she said.
Il imagined when, this morning, you
left me that you observed that you never
would set eyes on me again..
"Alphonsei"
"You told me a few things. but was it
becars you forgot that you omitted to tell
me that, SO soon as you were outside my
door, you were going to pay a visit to
strange man."
"Alphonse!"
The woman put up her hands to cover
her face. Mr.. Kennard grasped his friends
srm, with, perhaps, unconscious vigor.
II shall murder this little brute In a
minute" he murmured.
AS he whispered a response, Mr.. Nash
disengaged his arm from his friends too
vigorous grasp.
''Did not tell you that the French have
their own point of view. and that we had
curs?"
NJ Gerbert had continued to gaze in
silence at his wife. AS If moved with the
courage of desperation, taking her hands
from before her face, she yentured to make
an attempt TO offer some sort of plea in
self-defense.
"Alphonse. did 1t for you"
"For me?'' NJ. Gerbert tapped his hand
against his breast. ut was for me that
You paid visit to strange MANI"
TT was little plot which had formed
to gain for you the 10000 francs, of which,
you Know, you are in need. had thought
to gain them for you In exchange for my
something to you. though my life had been
worth nothing at all. And, Alphonse-hus-
hand! l have only returned to tell you
that think have gained for you the sum
which you require
THE sum which I require-my wife, at
what price?''
The strargest smile fitted across the
girls face, as she held out her hands and
answered: what does It matter?'
ITO you-nothing at all. Tell me-every-
thing. l have my good name-I! 1 have
my honor, NJ. Gerbert crossed his arms
upon his chest. Already, because of you.
my honor has been dragged in the dust
Your English friend has used me as If 1
were thing of the gutter, here, in my
own apartment"
Mr.. kernard interposed.
Il do assure you, my dear Gerbert that
1t was misunderstanding"
"a MISUNDERSTANDING Four feet six
glowered up at six feet four. Before the
pigmy the giant seemed to cover. at is u
nisunders landing, NJ. Kennard, which can
only be explained with your life, or with
mine"
"Alphonse.-my husband"
The girl advanced. The man shrank back
Madame Gerbert, have the goodness not
to defile me with your touch. To the other
things which YOU have brought me it but
remained to add dishonor. That, also. you
have brought me. last Of all. Since, there
fore, you have fed to ME and have re-
turned to crush me unto eternity with the
last offering of your shame-which, I'M
fortunately, because it is yours, thousand
times more is mine!-for me 1t but remains
to CO."
NJ Gerbert made movement toward the
door. Mr.. Kennard caught him by the
shoulder.
"Gerbert don't be foolv'
In an instant NJ. Gerbert was like Wild
cat in frenzy. Leaping up at Mr.. Ken
nard, he attacked him. literally, tooth and
nail. He poured forth language which was
not only unparliamentary. but also I'M
printable. The big man, in his turn, was so
taken by surprise that he made not the
slightest attempt even at defense The
first paroxysm of his fury exhausted, the
little man stamped on the floor and
shrieked with rage.
eff I had but pistol" he screamed.
His wife, who was standing a yard or
two away from him, took something from
the pocket of her dress.
II have a revolver" she said.
She proved 1t by discovering that she
had such a weapon in her hand. 1t was
probably the same one with which, In the
morning, she had kept Mr.. Kennard at a
distance.
Mr.. Nash called out to his friend:
keep tight hold of him, Hugh; don't let
him get near 1t for your life!'
Madame Gerbert turned to him with that
air of simple seriousness which was so
like the exaggerated seriousness of a little
child
Coz q, P1,