Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-27

L
him tomorrow why not tonight?
II will CO." she determined impulslvely.
With feverish haste she reached the
dressing room and. arrayed in her long
motor coat. managed to slip unobserved
through side entrance little used. A sud-
den qualm of doubt and fear assailed her as
the fresh air struck her face, but her mind
was made up as she called one of the cabs
outside the entrance of the grounds and
gave an address in the central part of the
town.
AS the cab ratified over the asphalt Sally
felt that all eyes were on her and sank
farther back into the worn cushions. The
street was alive with rollicking masQue-
raders-one man with hideous false face
ran beside the cab and threw some loose
coin into tho open window. The shrieks OF
the tin horns were deafening. And now
misgivings assailed her. The question was
no longer how to accomplish her romantic
marriage. but how. being married. TO ad-
just herself to her new life. The cab stop
ped suddenly, and with an overwhelming
sense of misgiving at burning her bridges
behind her. she dismissed the driver and
pulled the bell.
A boy in trim uniform answered her ring
Il would like to Count de Castro"
said Sally. her voice quivering with sudden
fright.
II the boy was surprised at her appear
ance his face betrayed no sign
II do not think he has returned yet"
said the boy courteously.
Sally caught her breath. She had not
do you know when he will be back?"
she asked, her lip quvering.
mo, ma'am. But L can show you his
apartment If you care to wait" said the
boy courteouSly, leading the way to the
elevator.
Sally was ashamed. She was frightened
Her knees quaked under her as the boy
opened door and bade her enter. 1t was
too late to turn back, yet she crossed
the threshold Sally felt 1t was the one thing
she wanted to do.
She sat stiffly on the edge Of a chair by
the door and glanced casually about the
room. AS she looked, her heart stopped its
fierce pounding against her ribs and the
color crept back to her face. This was his
home. Here he had sat thinking of her.
Here he had written the letter that had
changed the current Of her life. Here he
had brooded over his exile. self-imposed.
for the glory of his country. Here. sur
rounded by periis, weighed down by mis-
understanding. he read and studied far into
the night. She rose and walked whimSi-
cally over to the desk In the corner and
idly examined the fittings. A loose sheet
from letter lay on the blotting pad. She
glanced casually at 1t and caught a glimpse
of her own name. Moved by an irresistible
impulse she picked up the sheet and read
1t through 1t was in French, but, as she
read, it seemed to her that English words
burned themselves into her consciousness.
Keep Resale on the scent as long az
possible, as l am about to contract mar
riage with an heiress Mademoiselle Worth
If Rosalie turned up now. The lady is the
bona fide article-money in her own right.
Less trouble with it than l anticipated.
Her family were suspicious, but she was
easyI gave her lot of political bluff. II
the creditors press you too hard. spring this
marriage on them. as by tomorrow at this
time"
Sally dropped the unfinished sheet as
though it stung her. 1t was for this crea-
ture she had thrown over her family-left
her home
A sudden step outside reused her. the
noise Of key IN the lock. She looked
wildly around for some means of escape.
She should die If he found her there. Then
the door opened and she summoned all her
outraged dignity to her aid, and turned i'm
periously, her eyes aflame, her slender fig
ure rigid in her anger. to confront-Tom
Atwood.
I've got my car outside" he said quietly.
holding open the door for her to pass
through.
As in q dream, she was dumbly conscious
Of the elevators quick descent. of the boys
radiant Thank you. sir" as bill made
flying transit from Toms pocket to that OF
the uniform, and then she was In Toms
car, with the fresh night air cooling her
hot checks. She made desperate fight
with herself, but grief. shock. Joy were too
much for her. She burst into storm of
tears.
And Tom-alas for all his resolutions
caught her in his arms with all the warmth
of passion, long pent up.
''Well," she said, with q heavy sigh. rails
ing eyes dark with tears, at is l who shall
suffer for it Some day you'll reproach
me-
When that day comes, you can reproach
me, too, so we'll be quits
Tom she said presently, what can I
say to my sister?''
'She knows"
KNOWS WHAT"
THAT you're with me. I saw you slip out
and stopped to tell her that we had gone
flor a little drive-Hallow cen lark-and not
to worry. got there he frowned. before
you did and found he was out-then
waited"
it stop the motor If L should kiss your
ut would do it good" said Tom de-
cisiveiy.