Evening star., 1898-06-04

mind that he is mistaken Eight seconds
were sufficient for Bourke He slid into his
chair. looked, at Yolette, swallowed his COZ
fee with serious satisfaction, and helped
hlmself to finger bowl. . .....-... -
Il suppose" he said, that NJ. Harewood
has gone to the telegraph Officer
Il don't know" said Yolette, without
raising her eyes
Does anything trouble you?' he asked.
He lad no tact.
Yolette looked up, confused, pink with
resentment.
why, Of course not, NJ. Bourke.''
Vaguely uneasy. he stood up as she arose.
He was aware that some subtle condition
OF mind threatened to change existing con-
ditions. There was a sense of expectancy
already developing in his own mind, a
mental attitude of preparation for some
thing or other tnat began to disturb him.
He looked curiously at Yolette; he noted
the white neck, the silken blue black hair,
the eyes fringed deeply with the same
color.
Il am going" said Yolette, "to see Sche.
herazade. If she bites me l shall be very
unhappy"
Bite you?" repeated Bourke
Yes. The poor darling is almost out of
her senses with the cannonade. She Is so
frightened she runs around and around the
garden, and sinks close to the ground and
srls dreadfully."
AS Yolette spoke she walked toward the
garden door and Bourke followed. He
would not allow her to precede him into
the garden, and when they stood together
at the door he unconsciously placed his
hand on her arm and stepped in front.
Let me go and call her." said Yoiette,
starting across the grass. but he drew her
back with d sudden decision that surprised
her. 1t surprised him, too, to find that his
natural solicitude for her amounted to
sheer fright.
Monsieur, she said, Il am not afraid of
my own lion.
There was something besides mutiny in
her blue eyes she started forward again,
only to be firmly detained by Bourke's sun
Drowned hand.
Il cannot let you do that" he said. Call
her from here"
m. BCurke!
Don't CO." he said, beseechingly.
Is it possible that Yolette enjoyed his con-
Sternation?
There was a little thrill in her breast
and quiver in her clear voice as she re-
peated: m. Bourke, you will certainly not
detain me?"
Yes, will,'' ne replied. 'I am not going
to see you clawed by a frightened lioness,
and you must stay here"
The flash of revolt died in her eyes;
there was contentment in her heart and
acquiescence, too-and something more that
made the smile on her lips so exquisite tha t
Bourkes hand fell from her arm, and again
the impulse seized him to go away some
where with moderate haste.
Scheherazade! Scheherazade!' she call
ed, holding out her arms in the sunlight.
There was no response.
'ScheheraZade! ScheheraZadev'
The tangled thicket Of rose and briar
bushes moved slightly.
She's III there" said Bourke. He walked
out among the trees, calling to the Honess.
Presently he saw her, crOuching close to
the parched earth, under an acacia bush.
But that was not all; on the ground beside
her knelt Hide, both arms around the
lions neck.
When Hide saw Bourke she hid her face
In Scheherazade'S tawny shoulder.
why. Hide he said. what on earth
are you hiding out here for?'
Hide" cried Yoette, coming up, 'be
careful. my darling. Scheherazade growled
at me this morning.
Hide stood up and answered. looking
down at the lion: Il am not afraid" She
drew the lioness to her feet beside her.
then, without glancirE at Yolette or
Bourke: Il shall take her to my room. If
you go in she won't be afraid
Slowly she drew the lioness toward the
house, never looking up at her sister or at
Bourke until they reached the door, There
she met Bourke's puzzled gaze, turned.
smiled at her sister. and passed into the
house leading the covering lioness
The cay passed quickly for Bourke He
proWled around the ramparts by the Point
de Jour until luncheon, scribbling notes
and bits OF half-caught gossip from the
swarms of officers who were watching the
Prussians with a fascination approaching
hypnotism. There was not much to see a
column OF smoke here and there, nothing
more except rare Uhlan tiny speck
on 6cHie distant height The forts of the
north and east were SILENT the forts of
the south were steadily cannonadinp the
distant woods, blue and hazy under the
veiled sunshine. Now and then a great
gun beloved from the viaduct cIouding
the bastions with billowy mist beneath,