Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-16
CHAPTER III.
A Crossing of Swords.

not to be resisted and he stepped out on the
little balcony which ran beneath the win
dow: then he caught the odor OF ciga-
rette. and turned to see Trema!nc smiling
at him.
Good morning. cried Tremaine. "A
beautiful morning. isn't it? Won't you join
me?'
1t was impossible to refuse him; but Drys-
dale had no thought of rcfusal-he rather
welcomed the opportunity to cross swords
with his rival. to test his skill. to find out
in how far that air of triumph was justi-
fed by the strength behind 1t. So he took
the little cylinder of paper as he returned
the greeting. and sat down on the sill OF
his window.
But how gray the sea Is" continued Ire
maine. 1T Is not so in the tropics-it is
blue-oh. such a blue.''
You seem to be an early riser observed
Drysdale, who had thought to find himself
the first astir.
1T is habit one learns at st. Pierre The
dawn Is, there. the only pleasant portion Of
the day-one rises to burn incense to It,"
You have lived long at st. Pierre?"
Nearly four years"
And before that?'
Drysdale felt the badness Of the ques-
ton, and knew that he was not proceed
Ing as defty as he should that he was
fencing clumsly: but opposed to this was
man. to probe into his past. Not by the
culver Of lash did Tremaine indicate TIA.
he found the question either strange or I'M
welcome.
swered readily, and with apparent frank
ness. Il have lived in many countries and
have met many people-at Paris, at st.
Petersburg. at London. even at STEAMBOAT.
And you, Mr.. Drysdale?"
There was something subtly ironic in the
tone-a shade Of yelled contemplated
brought flush to the Others face:
Yes. you have guessed It," he said: I've
lived only in New York"
The merest flicker Of amusement flashed
across Tremaine's lip and they finished
their cigarettes in silence. Tremanes suav-
ity seemed to have come suddenly to an
end. He no longer attempted to disregard
the barrier that had arisen between them,
nor explain away that swift glance of the
night before. They went down together to
breakfast. presently: but only Delroy join
ed them there, and 1t was not an especially
pleasant meal, despite the bright sun at
the windows and Tremaine's imperturbable
good humor. AS they arose from table that
gentleman announced his Intention of 60
ing for a walk about the grounds. and
Drysdale carried Delroy Off to the library.
Now. Dickie." he began resolutely. as
soon as they were seated. I'm going to
quarrel with you. You're not careful
enough OF your family. Who Is this Ire
maine, anyway"
Delroy regarded the QueStioner with
long stare Of establishment.
why, he's mighty pleasant fellow
who's putting through"
Il know all that" interrupted the other,
a little rudely. But who is he? Where
did ne come FROM"
He came from st. Pierre"
"Dickie," said Drysdale impressively.
you're too easy. You think all men are
honest Have you seen his credentials!
Who stands for fim?'
Delroy jumped up impatiently.
See here. Jack" he demanded, what Is
1t you're driving at?'
you've taken Tremaine to your bosom
little too hastily" answered Drysdale
bluntly.
Delroy flushed with annoyance.
MIR. Tremaine," he said with empfasis
SIS one of the most cultured and charming
men l ever met. He came to me mat
ter of business; found that We had many
tastes in common. and have enjoyed his
society immensely"
That's all right. Dickie. I've no objec-
ton to your enjoying his society as much
as you like. But you oughtn't to bring him
here"
"Why?" demanded Delroy.
Because" answered Drysdale hotly.
hes making love to Grace. Didn't you
see him last night at the piano, when"
Delroy, who had been listening open
mouthed, burst into a sudden roar of
laughter. Drysdale stopped. looked at him,
then turned and left the room.
Tremaine seemed to enjoy his walk at
least, he did not return to the house until
nearly the hour for luncheon. At that
meal. the women Joined them. and a drive
was planned for the afternoon. which end
ed at the vesper service at the little chapel
at Babylon. For some reason the drive had
seemed to have fallen upon the party,
feeling of unrest, of uneasiness which sent
them severally to their rooms as soon as
they reached the house.
Drysdale did not proceed to dress i'm
mediately. Instead. he sat moodly down
and stared out into the darkness. He could
see the flare of light which streamed from
his neighbours windOws-what was there
about him that repealed while 1t attracted?
What had he meant by that glance of dis
dain? Drysdale flushed holly at thought Of
it. 1t had been SO quick. SO elusive. that
at the instant he had not caught its full
meaning. it's almost insoent triumph
Triumph? And was there cause for that?
Did that explain Grace's Indifference dur
ing the drive? Was that why she sat be-
side him silent, distraught? Was she think
Ing OF Tremaine? or was she waiting for
him before the fire
He sprang to his feet, switched on the
lights and began hastily to dress.
What instinct was it that told him to set
his foot lightly on the stair. or was it only
that he hoped to look down upon her for
moment. unseen? The sound Of voices
reached him. and leaning over, he saw
two figures standing before the fire which
the evening chill had rendered necessary
Miss Croydon and Tremaine He started
abruptly to descend. when he caught a
sentence that made him pause.
I'm not in the least like that" Tremaine
was saying. and though the voice was
carefully repressed. 1t had In 1t ring of
savage earnestness. "In your heart you
know it, or you wouldn't stand there listen
ing. I have come to you at once. boldly.
because I'm sure that l shall win. He is
not worthy OF youth your heart you know
that also. He cannot hold you; he Is too
weak: l shall wrench you away! You're
not the woman to be tied to a gilded medi-
ocrity. You have fire-ah! 1 have studied
you-you need a larger outlook upon life.
You've been kept in a cage-you've never
had a chance to be yourself. Here you will
never have a chance-with me it would be
different. You do not know how different!
At Paris, at Vic IA. at Rome"
She had been leaning away from him,
staring into the fire. as though charmed in
to silence by this impetuous eloquence.
Now, she stood erect and looked at him.
What you are proposing to me Is IN
famous" she said. through clenched teeth.
1T is not in the least infamous" he re-
torted coolly. II am Offering you the fu-
ture ! know you sigh for. 1t Is future
that i sigh for too. that l have sighed
for from the first moment l saw you. and
which I am going to make come true. To-
gether We will conquer the world. AS my
wife"
your wife?" There was scorn. anger,