Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-16
CHAPTER XIII.
Eve and Lilith.

There remained for Flower-o' the Corn
the pain of the greater question. She de-
manded of Yvette permit to visit Maurice
Raith But Yvette modified her acquiescenee
by determination to be present unseen.
She simply gave directions that Maurice
Raith should be put into one of these cells
of observation provided with 'spyhole.'
Maurice Raith and Flower o. the Corn
were left alone. Alone. that is, save for a
pair of interested eyes, great and dark,
which watched them narrowly from among
the rafters.
Each of these young people thought that
they had held a great secret close shut up
from the other. Maurice thought that
FIower-o' -the-Corn did not know that he
was to die Frances, ON the other hand,
thought that she alone knew that he was
to live.
So they sat hand in hand on the seat by
the window sill. The lighting of the candles
had almost shut out the prospect But still
there fingered faint luminous glow.
orange with an aerial russell through it
splashed broadly behind the Causes.
"Yonder." said Flower-o' the-Corn. soft
ly pointing to where over the Larzac the
silver throne of Cassiopea glittered, 'yon-
der is where we first loved each the other"
Then in a moment it came to her that she
was cruel to call up such memories con-
sidering what she had come to say. But
Maurice had his answer ready
NO little one,'' he said, tenderly mot
there but yonder to the north under the
paws of the Bear. There is where 1 first
loved you-on the Namur cornfield when
the cornfiowers were not half so blue as
your eyes"
He sighed, thinking that he must tell her
now.
And she sighed, thinking that she must
tell him.
While above them, at her place of espion-
age. Yvette smiled a yet more bitter smile:
Suddenly Frances Wildwood fell down
before Maurice, laid her head upon his
knee and burst into tears.
'Frances-Frances. what is it?'' cried
Maurice, in surprise Have they told you?
Do you know?' puf!.
The girls sobs alone answered him.
Dearest. do not care he cried, losing
all dignity, "for myself care nothing, so
long as you are well cared for! 1 have
been talking it over with your fatherv'
Frances sat up suddenly and gazed at
him in amazement. the tears still running
freely down her checks
Not care?" she gasped. utterly taken
aback. "if-if-I am taken care of. You
have been talking the matter over with my
father?' ~ ~
my dearest" he said, believe me-a
soldier has often to face much. have
stood dozen times where now l stand. 1
am a man, remember--what does it matter
for me, soldier. SO long as you are safe
and happy" si-,.,f
Flower-o' the-Corn rose to her feet and
stood back from him. He was certainly
taking the matter but little to heart. if he
could so easily resign her to another. aa+
He went on more firmly. assured that she
knew all. ~
'After the second letter from the king"
he continued. IT could expect nothing else,
l must die-that is ALL.
AS he speaking the face of the girl
had gradually run through a whole series
of eXpressions-wonder, lack of comprehen-
sion, doubt, fear and lastly. the most alb
solute terror as she realized that she had
l. a a
he must die-not that he was condemned to
live without her.
"FranceS-dearest-be brave!' he said,
smiling and catching her in his arms.
thinking that she was going to faint See
I am brave. Help me also to be brave.
For time like this a man always depends
upon the woman he loves. You will not
fail me. know my best belovedr'
There was the light of a great love on
the face of F1ower-o' the-Corn.
No" she said; mo, as God sees me. I
sworn it. I will give my life for yours It
is accepted-this our sacrifice. The king
has given his sanction. You do not under
stand? And-and-oh, do not know how
am to tell your
And up in the right-hand corner behind
the dusky beams, in her hidden place of
espial, Yvette rejoiced. She felt repaid for
all her difficulties overcome. all her webs
spun, all her failures and all her mistakes.
These two whom she hated were drinking
together bitter cup, vinegar and gall min
gled with the waters of Marah thrice EN-
Uttered.
What is it, beloved?" said Maurice:
you speak Of saving me-of giving your
life for mine. OF that know nothing"
oh, you do not understand-you will
not" cried poor Flower-o' the Corn. Sob
bling her heart out on his breast. 1.-THE price
isl am to marry Jean Cavalier. They
have made me promse-I am to do it to
save your life. but not till you safe
over the frontier. and an English ship.
only L am to remain in their hands as a
hostage"
Maurice stood suddenly erect, and clench-
ing his fist shook it at the unanswering
heavens, which indeed had little enough to
do with the matter.
1T is that woman!" he cried flercely. SIT
serves me right!'
But Frances interrupted him.
You are wrong Maurice" she said,
quietly, ''if you mean Yvette. she has been
kind-more than kind. She has taken all
the trouble of obtaining conditional par
don, You will be sent under escort of the
marshalS troops over the frontier into
Spain. Your servant, Billy Marshall, and
his wife Bet will go with you, and as soon
as you are safe on an English ship at Bar
celona (where there are plenty one of these
TWO Will bring me back message that you
are safe. Then I-will-will fulfill my
promise!'
She smiled up at him through her thick
| ening tears.
DO not be afraid for me-" she said, che
| will be kind to me. He is good man! I
| DO not wish you to be grieved! That
hurts."
And then. still smiling, her strength,
wonderful up to this point, failed her for
he ip,a