The sun., 1900-11-29
THE r1YSTERY
OF AGATHA WEBB.
BY Anna Katharine Green.
Author of The Leavenworth Mans Lane"
Hand and Ring" Etc, Etc.
Copyright, 1900, by Anna Katharine Green

VI. |
ing at him intently. that same low
laugh still on her lips.
"rTell the truth" she whispered.
know TO what extent YOU consider your
Tatners wishes. You think you ought
not to marry after what took place last
night. Frederick. like you for this
evidence of consideration ON your part,
but do not struggle too relentlessly
with your conscience. / can forgive
much more in you than you think, and
if you really love me-
"Stop. Let us understand each 9TH
err" He had turned mortally pale and
met her eyes with something akin to
alarm "NEhat do you allude to In
speaking of last night? l did not know
there was anything said by us in our |
talk together
II do not allude to our talk"
"Or-or in the one dance we had
"Frederick, dance is innocent"
The word seemed to strike him with
the force of n blow.
"Innocent," he repeated, innocent
becoming paler still as the full weight
of her meaning broke gradually upon
him.
81 followed you into town." she wills
pered. coming closer and breathing the
words into his ear. "But what ! saw
you do there will not keep me from
obeying you if you say: Follow me
wherever go, Amabel. Henceforth
our lives are one.'"
"My Gsd"
1t was all he said, but it seemed to
create gulf between them. In the 81
lence that followed the evil spirit IL
tent beneath her beauty began to make
itself evident even i'll the smile which
no longer called into view the dimnles
which belong to guileless mirth, while
upon his face after the first paralyzing
effect of her words had passed there
appeared IN expression Of manly re-
sistance that betrayed virtue which
| as yet had never appeared in his selfish
and altogether reckless life.
That this was more than a passing
impulse he presently made evident by
lifting his hand and pushing her slow
ly back.
Il do not know what you saw me
do said he, "but whatever it was II
can make no difference in our rela-
tions."
Her whisper, which had been but a
breath before, became scarcely audi
BILE.
81 did not pause at the gate you en-
tered" she said. Il went in after you
A gasp Of irresistible feeling escaped
him, but he did not take his eyes from
her face.
''It was a long time before you came
out" she went on, "but before tha
= time the shade of certain window
, was thrust aside and
"uushw he commanded. in uncon
). trollable passion, pressing his han,
with impulsive energy against he
mouth. Not another word of that 0
! shall forget yeu are woman or tina
!. have ever loved you"
i Her eyes, which We're all she had re
naming to plead with, took on pecu
q lar look of quiet satisfaction and pow
!, er. Seeing it, he let his hand fall an
for the first time began to regard lie
. with anything but a lovers eyes.
:. Il was the only person in sight q
that time" she continued. You hay
:. nothing to fear from the world q
i large"
"Fearw
"a The word made its own echo. Sh
y had no need to emphasize it even by
10 smile. But she watched him as
e sunk into his consciousness with q
:. intentness it took all his strength
! sustain. Suddenly her bearing and e!
preston changed. The few remains (
r. sweetness in her face vanished, an
=. even the allurement which often las
~ when the sweetness is gone disappea
h ed In the energy which now took po
y, session of her whole threatening ar
!, infiexible personality.
MARRY me-" she cried. "or l vi
n proclaim YOU to be the murderer
70 Agatha Webbp
~ She had seen the death of love
his eyes.
as CONTINUED in Our Next Issue.)