Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-15

Baron de Probable was represented as
Gabrielle's uncle and knowing, as Gerard
did the mans real character and infinite
| capacity for -il-doing, fears Tor Gaprleile
herself impelled him. to MAINTAIN ms as
sumed character until he had at least salts
| fled himself that de Probable had no evil IN
| tent toward her. IN
He could not decide what to do for
moment. and his confusion ana hesitation
| were apparent to, Gabrielle, who set them
| down, however, to very different causes.
| There was an alcova with a seat near the
| corner of the balustrade, and sinking upon
| it with sigh, Gabrielle exclaimed:
Thank God you have come. cousin SIN, ana ra
| thank God more that you are what you are,
a brave and gallant gentleman"
Cousin echoed sderard, catching the
| word.
cousin, of course; what else?" and then.
| as if perceiving some double meaning In her
| last word. she blushed vividly.
| II do not understand he murmured, and
| them THAT is the Baron de Proballe?"
of course, as surely as l am Gabrielle de
| Malincourt. My uncle and my own good
| friend and adviser--up to now Sheffield
| her eyes and smiled as she emphasized the
| last word.
Your good friend and adviser!' he re-
peated. 49,.
How oddly you speak, cousin. Is it not
| by his counsel and urging that you are
here?"
| with a start.
| Perhaps you are not glad to have been
| brought here"
"Mademoiselle. 1 have seen you,' he an
Gabrielle laughed gaily. How formal,
| cousin"
II am lost In wonderment 1 know not
what to say"
1T is well that you are quicker with your
sword than with your tongue, or 1t would
have gone harder than it did with my poor
Denys just now. But perhaps understand.
You are surprised in me. l different
from what you expected
you are the fairest woman 1 have ever
seen.
She blushed again. and smiled.
1t is not unmaidenly, seeing why you
have come to Morvax, for me to say what
pleasure such words give me- Gerard Oh
| think 1 must be the happiest girl in all
France today"
Seeing why I have conner" he repeated
questioning1y.
Gerard The tone was one of reproach
and she looked troubled You have come
for-for purpose haven't your Her eyes
We're on the ground as she spoke hest
tatingy.
Yes, and with Gods help will carry it
through"
She looked up then but the smile on her
face faded quickly away as she seemed not
to read in his eyes what she sought
ana your purpose is-what?" she asked
IN strange tone. very subdued, quiet and
Even to you I cannot tell it yet" he
answered.
Cannot tell it me- Gerard? But she
proke on and repeated, wonderingly, Can
not tell 1t me-yet?"
But you shall know it at the first mo-
ment can open my lips, and from what l
have learned of you know your sympathy
Will be with me and 1t"
Gabrielle felt the color leaving her
checks What could he mean? There must
be some hindrance to the plan of their
marriage. He had said nothing of this in
his letters to her uncle-nor a word to her
You have turned PALE mademoiselle
Are you ill.," he asked kindly, seeing the
change in her.
No, no; but fear don't understand I
nave been unmaidenly and forward. But
did not know. You have said nothing of
this obstacle in your letters to my uncle
| or to me. thought it was settled. But 1
Yet thought when you came with no
Word-oh, cousin, was it manly or honor
able of you not to tell me at once, not to
check me? Oh. l know not what to say"
he was as much disturbed by the change
IN her as he was troubled by the sight Of
her distress and puzzled by her words
Obstacle? What obstacle? What have
l said to disturb you thus?" he asked. Il
would do anything in the world for YOU
You shame me. cousin
Gabrielle, on my honor, know not what
you mean!' he cried, with whole-hearted
earneStneSS.
She rose then and looked at him, with
great effort to be calm.
AS God is my judge; I would give my
life to serve you,'N he protested passion
ately. Z repeat, L know not what you
mean
What your purpose may be I cannot
guess; but matters have gone too far for US
TO fence with words or feign ignorance of
racts. lou can have had but the one
purpose in coming to Morva,X and to Malin-
court You have already expressed it OPEN
ly in your letters. 1t is to further my dead
parents wish for our marriage.
He fell back pace in his intense wonder
ment, and an exclamation of establishment
rushed to his lips only to be checked with a
supreme effort. But she saw the look and
noted the gesture, and her pride took in
slant offenSe.
Il will leave you, monsieur; perhaps you
will explain this obstacle to my uncle with
more candor than you have deemed neces-
sary to show to me-
He conquered his surprise and the wound
ed pride in her eyes and voice reused him
To him she was more than aught else in
the world, and instantly he took the re-
solve to sweep away the misunderstanding
by explaining all-his purpose in Morvaix
and that he was not the man she believed.
He could not let her go in anger, let the
cost be what it would
"One moment. AS 1 live, there Is no
obstacle on my side toto our marriage.
That 1 swear. But 1 will explain ALL"
She paused and turned, her foot already
on the steps to leave him; and his heart
leaped to see the light that his words
brought back to her eyes
you have tried me sorely, cousin. L"
she faltered and smiled and then Ieant for
support against the balustrade.
God knows l would not cause you even
a moments uneasy thought" he said
earnestly. Il have done wrong, 1 know,
but the temptation was sweet one. had
no thought to deceive you when 1 came"
He got no further, for at that moment
de Probable stepped from the house and
crossed the terrace to them, saying cheerily
as he approached
well, are you getting to know one an
other. eh?'
What l have to say is for your ears
alone. / pray your patience and will give
you ample reasons" said Gerard in quick
undertone; adding aloud: 'Yes, monsieur,
we are close to a complete understanding
Is it not So cousin?'
II hope so'' she answered mystified still
but smiling.
Poor Denys is better, but very weak and
is asking for you"
with your leave 1 will go to him. she
said to Gerard.
II sent her off that we may have talk
and an understanding, too" said de Pro-
balle when Gabrielle had gone into the
house. Let us walk here in the open where
no ears can catch our words"
He led the way to where a fountain stood
among the flower beds surrounded by
broad path, and Gerard accompanied him,
in bewildered curiosity as to what this new
development was to be.
Go be continued)