The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-05-03


Victoria We're in the billiard room ap-
parently engrossed in scoring the requir
ed hundred.
Cyril put his cue carefully in the rack
and. Ticking some chalk stains off his
coat remarked casually, Il must really
be Oft; have an appointment"
with the tall gentleman with the big
muStache:" said Victoria gently
How do you know" cried Cyril in as
tonishmcnt.
For answer Victoria methodically put
aside her cue and, sitting down on the
settec. patted the seat at her side with 4
quietly suggestive motion.
You will come aud tell me every.
thing" she said.
He sat down, leaning forward with his
elbows resting on his knees and his hands
claspcd
1T is better not" he replied, moodily
eying the pattern of the linoleum carpet,
ing.
She leaned forward and, taking his
hands in hers. unclaspcd them; then, re.
leasing one. She held the other in both of
hers
Their heads were close together, and
her wavy brown hair-her one pride and
beauty-bruShed his temples.
There was no need to speak loud.
you will tell me everything" she re-
itcrated softly.
You know part of it," he answered
huskily. You've guessed somehow that
love YOU tshe pressed his handl. and |
wish you hadn't. You see, Tm-I'm a
scamp, rogue and a cheat"
lie pulled his hand from hers almost
roughly and continued eXcitedly: Tin
not fit for you to touch. I've been in
Jail I'm hardened criminal. ought
not rightly TO be allowed to love any one
and no one should love me. My name
isn't Fitzherbert. Its Brown = Cyril
Brown"
I'm glad it is still Cyril" she inter
ruptcd Il love Cyril"
"Oh. that is nothing-not the name"
he went on passionately. Il came here
to swindle you, to rob you. Look here"
He took something out of his pocket
and handed it to her without turning his
head.
1t was a piece of folded paper, and
when she opened it she disclosed check
"a check on her bank for 100000. The
signature, unmistakable and clear. was
hers-Nictora Marie McKoy.
This is not forgery" she said. hesitat
ing over the ugly word.
NO" he replied, dropping his voice to
whisper; you signed it in that birth
day book"
''Sce here" she said, speaking hurried
ly, as one who wishes to pass quickly
over an unpleasant tale I've put my
private mark in that thing like tad
will
wouldn't have before You will go halves
with the stranger, suppose Still with
10000 you can leave him and-and live
honestly. OF course, II will never
tell"
He looked at the check she held out to
him quite carelessly hardly as one would
expect a seedy advcnturer to regard a
small fortune thus absolutely offered tc
him. Then, taking it in his hands he
tore it into tiny pieces and threw them on
the floor.
you forget that love you." he said.
He moved toward the door; but,
though her eyes followed him, she never
stirred. As he opened the door he turned
and looked her full in the face for the
first time during that talk.
1T was a repentant rogue that loved
you" he said sadly. "Goodby.
EAU rcvoir," she said.
She listened to him walking through
the hall, and not until she heard the noise
of the closing of the front door did she
move. Then on tiptoe she ran after him
As he passed along the dark road she fol
lowed-as she had listened that night-in
the shadow of the fence. Underneath
the solitary lamp the stranger was wait
ing, twisting his mustache and tapping
with his foot on the ground as if he grew
imr tient.
"Ah," he said d@arply when Cyril join
ed him, you are an hour lateI No mat,
ter. Have you got it?"
No" replied Cyril slowly, 81 have
not"
"Why?"
Because she gave me the money-G1O,.
000-and | gave it back to her"
"Ah, you mean that you have doubled
on me-"
"No; l mean that we will part"
every we'll"
She could see the heavy mustache lift
and disclose the strangers teeth. She
knew the sign; the dog meant to bite.
VERY well, 20. Go, my dear Cyril, to
the devil. | will wait"
There was Il momentary fash Of fire
licking out into the darkness like devils
tongue, the sharp report of a pistol shot,
and the stranger his hands raised to the
pitiless heavens, his lips parted in their
last snarl, spun round once and collapsed
in the roadway, mere limp heap of
clothed flesh and bones.
you have killed him"' whispered Cy-
ril, gazing, pale and awestruck, at the
thing at his feet
"Nou forget that love YOU" said Vic
toria Marie and, hiding her face on his
breast. she wept Historically. - Royal
Magazine