The Washington times., 1905-08-13
CHAPTER xvII-(Continued).

Annals chair made a duh rasp as she
pushed Il bacl- She rose; took q step
forward a step back; then, with loss
Of vitality. sank into her seat again.
Long ago the story Of Judas had fasct-
mated her from John Destnski's lips. The
vision of the silver pieces seemed to rise
now and hoat before her mind. In an
agony OF self-accusation she clasped her
hands.
when did say it7'' she said slowly.
How did I say it?' She leant forward
IN her chair.
From her place by the fire Mrs. Max
tead laughed. How great you would be
in tragedy" she said Put you need not
accuse yourself; my knowledge hasn't
come from vou 1t is an event in Sc
uuence OF events-nothing more She
leant back and closed her eyes. Her
face was perfectly alert, perfectly
serene. the face OF a woman who appre-
ciates the moment TO its n1inuteSt point.
You see. when a child ike you starts
q game of consequences with me, the
handicap is too great; the result is too
clear. on the first day that you came
here I had you followed. Since then
have seen you constantIy-wtth other
peoples eyes. have wound the whole
skein OF your circumstances thread by
thread. Now. what have you TO say?'
Like 4 fash she turned the brightness of
her eye qpea the girl What have sou
to say
Anna looked up. Her lips were set.
Il suppose am like a mouse in a
trap" she said.
Rather descriptive, But the trap has
yet 70 shut. is it TO be war between
us?"
I don't understand"
x Y
Then I shall explain. It is like
this" She rose and crossed to the
girls side. You have a possession
that I have waited all my life to han
Gle. I am not crueler. nor more self
seeking. not more unscrupulous shan
nineteen out OF every twenty human
beings: I have the courage OF my
egOtism that is all. You have put
this thing within my grasp: an now
that 7 have all but closed my fingers
on 4, YOU pull IL back-and you say
No Now as strongly as you say No.
say Yes, I viii have it; my desire
IS fixed on IL" Her voice, cold and
smooth, never rose; she made no ef-
fective gestures; only her eyes inexor-
ably compelled the girls gaze, Yes
terday 1 pleaded with you, Anna; TO-
day I DO not Plead demand
Anna rose From the chaos round
her one object disentangle1 itself
Johanns race pitiful, trusting. elo-
quent in appeal
It's no good. it makes 10 differ
ence"
VIII you tell me precisely why?"
In her asitation. Anna walked to tEe
dvcssing-table and touched tbs silver
brushes. You have found ont ny
Eecret, she said uncvenly; if I tel
yll1 atc. her it viii scarcely count
First. / refused to come because
would hurt somebody else: now re
Is" because I h-Gc you!" Sre turnet
rJun7
Nrs. Aaxtead pissed her hand ove1
her hair. ) very FAINT flush touched
her check, then died sway. In fvt
years" she said, I'VE will both remem
Der this-and laugh ] am glad
Rave my temper in good control.
There was n paass
And this Austrian-is his honest.
really as brittle as his heartc'
anna bit her lip.
Did he make you his-conddante Il
tn Jewel affair.""
Il am his only friend
"a dangerous position!"
Anna was Silent.
and his only interest in Iifs-a
well as his only friend?'
Yes" At the root OF Annals voic
there was a misgiving; she crushed I
down.
Does he never refer to the jewel
now?''
NO; he never refers"
Because his innocence Is 50 wei
proved?"
"Oh. you are very eruelg'
"He would court a trial. you think?
''Oh, no don't know! I don
know.
Mrs Maxtead smiled Anna. ther
is something here" She thoughtfull.
crossed the room. "SomethIng for yor
TO read" She stopped by the desk am