The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-19
OF EMPIRE.
BY ROBERT w. CHAMBERS.
Copyright. 1898. BY Robert ". cAamesr,,
CHAPTER xvI.-ooNr1NuEp.

NAp tAoOpHt bhhh no "ou BAD AhA BAOuN hhNg
Hourke had chosen Yolette for the woman no
would marry. wishing him luck and happi-
Hcss. ne spoke lightly Of the sortic, expressing
his satisfaction at a chance for action and q
certainty that all would 10 well. He spoke of
an easy return TO Paris, once the German lines
were ruptured and a free passage established;
ne prophcsled his own carly return, smiling care
lessly when Bourke ~stammered his thanks and
wishes and foars. They sat together consulting
maps. sketchinR routes and probable lines Of In
Vestmont, until tho late sunlight sent It's level
crimson shafts far down tho carpetless hall
way, and the shadows Redeemed in overy corner.
. " Before Bourke left he spoke again of
danger, but Hardwood smiled and folded up his
maps gayly.
"You had better look to yourself" he said.
did you notice the crowds around'the bakeries
and butcher shops to-dayf"
Yea" replied Bourke. "Yclette says that
prices are going up, and many people are buy.
ing supplies for months ahead. 1 think I'll lay
IN a store OF timed stun. vegetables and meats,
you know. II there should be a famine things
might 60 badly with u.s."
And II Speyer troubles you, what will you
dor'
II, don't know said Bourke. IF It would
bS safer for Yolettc and Hide, I suppose we
would be obliged to movc. But It won't come
TO that, Jim; they can't turn us out, and, as for
their blackguardly threats about Yolette and
Hide, it's too late now to carry them out. Tho
Prussians are here, and nobody can leave tho
city, willingly Or unvillingly."
Hardwood fingered r~estlessly at tho door. as
though he wished to say something more.
Beurke understood and nodded Rravely.
'I needn't say. Jim. that I'll do all / can"
A 1 can meant, for Bourke. devotion while
life lasted. Hardwood knew this.
Nothing could happen in the few days I'll be
away. and II 1 ~can't::Rot back as soon as I OK
pect--'
.I will do what I can" repeated Bourke.
After a silence they shook hands. Hare
wood returned to his room. closed the door,
locked It. and flung himself face downward
on the bed. But he could not even close his
eyes, and when Rod Riding Hood knocked he
spSranR up and unlocked his door with the re-
lief Of a half stifed man. They exchanged
their kiss solemnly. He sat down again on
tho bedside and took the child in his arms. For
an hour he told her stories, wonderful tales Of
the East and West. legends 1T North and South,
chronicles Of saints and martyrs and those we'll
loved Of God. And the burden of every tale
was honor.
Twilight spun its gray web over all, sounds
grew softer, tho child slept in his arme, He laid
her among his pillows lightly, then went his
way down the dim stairs, flight after flight,
until he came to the closed door. Again it
opened for him. as 1t had opened once be-
IOECt hOlbCkOublyp uLAu ho Va tAO ~
in the wall Sainte Hide of Carhaix stood, lean
ing at an angle. for when she had fallen. feet
and pedestal had been shattered on tho tiles.
Under her hung a rosary. He looked around
slowly. Behind the curtain blythe dim window
something moved.
Hide" he said. aloud. He scarcely knew
the voice for his own. But she know 1t. What
else should she hear-hear all day, all night, but
his voice-always his voice. She came to him
through the twilight and laid both hands In his.
"You are going awayI" she said.
She had not heard him say 30. there In the
hail. She knew It as women know such things.
Eyes" he said, Il am going away"
Tomorrow
eyes"
She waited for him to speak again. She
waited in a terror that dried lip and eye. Her
knees trembled. A chill crept to her breast.
She waited for a word-a single word, that
meant salvation. She shrank before silence,
for silence was her sentence-a sentence without
hope. without appeal.
After a long while her hands fell from his.
she moved backward a step. Her head brushed
the hanging rosary and set the brass cross
swinging like a pendulum, timing the sands OF
life. The sands of her life were running quickly
now-too quickly.
.You heardi' he asked. cit was you-on the
Btairs therei'
YES"
"That Bourke loves Yolettei'
yes"
She reached out in the darkness. needing sup
port. The white wall seemed to Waver and re
And Yoiette," whispered Hardwood with
There was a crash. a tinkle of porcelain OF
tn" tiles. ,sainte Hide of oarhaix had falleI
again at his feet. There was something els
SSe ssrt i@ the eo twIliSSt. '0''1' "A
And Yolette." he, repeated.
She said: ID you love Holettef
end issSsa S e. !. Ssayi3RyI; Y. The ThsT th he sHt d SS;R
5RG nsSs'p NOT the ALTERING footsteps, not III
TpSoi' hands drew his h hands from his eyes, =
Siiksn head rested on his knees; . .,ou.an.,
. .Sssa s$s s sSl:PsssSi; l.. .S ss Y $sSpp f1'sS'; IN /
ou as ISoAi shS Tp s a. iast f had been &c n% =%nsweeed 70 70
e sRer d % Tei Il e; ' donBtsd So that Si0S ae R Iovsdf nae Am m
where was fear How-where yas seIf-distrns
6M had sTer exi EasI n1 As y yst the awakening ~sEIsaaEia y to sa GG
derstanding had not touched + h him NIT Nth II, The sG
when his hand teli lightly el her head: an
saw At last in bis eyes that his body and sou
THso,, hsrs 81 sss:r thsR R @hi EGeE is s shor %egs tern f e
shortest atom of a second. and longer than tn
her face was pafer. His lips touched the ey
ouisite contour of cheek and brow; he scarcel
dared to touch her mouth, this mouth that ha
been his for the asking, for his pleasure, for a
idio smile. Tho divine curve Of the parted lip'
tho shadOwed lashes on tho check, troubled hin
Her eyes unclosed; she looked at him lis
lessly. crushed to his breast. stunned blythe
own great happiness. she listened to the word!
40 long awaited, SO long despaired: the word
that told her his love WAS TO be forever and fol
ever; this love she lived for. She scarcely con
pretended; she seemed awake, yet swooninI
Her head had fallen back a little, lips parte(
eyes never moving from his own.
Forever and forever, together. always Il
gether, to love. to hold to cherish. t
All, Hilde-'to honor"-that Is what no
saying; can yop not heart MAJ /,
their heavenly sweetness. He kissed hi
mouth.
my breath. forever and forever. to love. TO hol
to cherish, to honor"
.vn ,,anInaad