The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-16
The Garden Of Lies
By Justus Miles Forman
Copyright A Company
By Justus Miles For1nan
CHAPTER XVI.

1t was two days later. and I sat in the
studio trying to write letters which should
have been written months since, but my
pen had "A trick Of hanging idle over the
page ill the ink dried upon it, or of trail
ing off in the middle of a word, into an
illegible scrawl. while my eyes stared, un-
seeing beyond the table and the studio
walls and an errant fancy wandered over
the map of Europe between Paris and
far oft Belgrade
Where would he be now? Had he left
Belgrade? Was he sitting behind a Neue
Frcic Presse in the Orient Express. count
ing the hours to Paris? Why the devil
didn't he telegraph OF something:
So the letters made but poor progress,
and at last threw down my. pen in dis
gust and fell to pacing the room like 4
tiger in it's cage.
"l'u go over to the house, said 1 ut
last. They may have heard something
since l saw them this morning. l let my
self out of the window and went up thru
the, garden.
But, half way to the house, a hurrying
servant ran me down. M. Mallory had
arrived. NJ. le colonel said to come at
once! And 1 gave a great shout Of delight
and broke into a run.
Near the house met the Princess Flea
nor. who was coming out. She was bit
flushed to the cheeks, a bit bright as
to the eyes.
Mr-MalIory that when he wishes toto
deliver his messages to me, 1 shall be in
the garden?'
why, yes" cried. Yes. gladly!-Ah.
be kind to him, princess, he's done much
for your sake!-Where shall say that you
will be? Where in the garden?'
Say that shall be at the old stone
BENCH" said the Princess Eleanor. moving
past me with her head turned away. And
/ ran on.
Under the porch Of the refectory I
paused an instant. The doors beyond were
open to the sweet summer air, and thru
them there came the hum of conversa
ton in many voices but presently. over
the chorus Of questions of little cries and
eXcamations. his good old laugh. strong
and deep and CHEEKY as ever. Lord, how
it made my heart jump. ..>
lie was standing in he center OF the
music room, Sir Gavin and Won Altdorf
and Miss Jessica Mannering pressing close
about him. and half a dozen servants
lowering near.
The past month had left its marks upon
him. for he was Very pale and thin and
loweyed, and he bore across the left
Cheekbone a long scar as from a Saber cut.
FFe heard my step at the door and turned
about.
ITS Teddy!'' he cried. and came over to
me swiftly,and caught me about the: shoul-
ders. shaking me back and forth.
"Why, lad. lad.' said he, dear old
lad.' and seized upon my two hands.
nearly crushing them in his grip: Upon
my word, he had strength left in him for
all his white, thin cheeks!''
"She's waiting for you in the garden,
Denis,'' 1 whispered. ''at the old stone
BENCH And then. directly, l was almost
sorry I had spoken. for all the bright.
CHEEKY gladness left his face quite sud-
denly, and it took on that old look of
pain and hopelessness that / had grown
to know so well before he went away.
''Why, yes, lad said he, yes, I must
go. mustn't 1?'
He turned about to the others talking
and laughing sin 1t little group "a stcrz.
II must bear my message to the pEin
cess. if you'll all excuse me for bit"
he said. Il shall be back in half an
hour" And he left the room with a slow.
lingering step as if he dreaded what was
before him.
He went out under the old Gothic porch
out into the cool green shade Of the gar
den. where fleCks of yellow sunshine
wavered about his feet. as the leaves
above stirred in the wind. where the early
roses filed all the air with scent. and
birds hoped along the margin of the
gravel paths hunting for worms.
He went down under the prim acacias.
down the center path toward the fountain
and a t It's left. where stood the old stone
bench, he saw a. gimmer of something
white. Then in moment he stood before
her. head bent
The Princess Eleanor gave a little low
cry when she his pallor and his thin
face and the scar across one cheek bone
and she put out a hand to him timidly
But Denis was bowling and did not see
Twill you not sit down. sir?' she
begged, and pulled her skirt aside to
make room for him. You are not yet
strong enough to stand long"
"Why-no, madame,' he began. IL
quite strong. l assure you-- Still
since YOU good Yes. I will sit
down for q moment. | have something
to give to you and something to tell you
of-of the princes death.''
"You-fought beside him. they tell
me-" said the Princess Eleanor with low
cred eyes.
AYE. madame" said he, II stood beside
him. shetering him as best might, till
he died.
He died nobly.'' murmured the prin-
cess with a little sigh.
He died. madame said Denis NAL