Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-15

vain cropping for the coveted treasure. he
could fancy how its COOL polished surface
would feel; how he would lift it to the
light to see how much of the divine elixir
remained in it. How
The brushing of his face against leafy
twig filled his nostrils with the scky
smell of laudanum. Like discouraged fox
hound that unexpectedly picks up the scent,
Thursos spirits rose with bound. Here.
or near here, the phial must have struck;
Its contents scattering the Shrubs. If only
too much had not been wasted!
Disregarding caution, Thurso beat the
surrounding turf, fumbling at the roots of
the hedge Plunging forward in a momen-
tary loss of balance he threw out his
hands to keep from falling. His fingers
closed about damp chilly surface. In
another instant the phial was in his hands.
A delicious thrill of relief swept across
him, leaving him faint.
But at the next moment, firm. light foot
steps crossing toward him from the far
Their side of the hedge, drove the blood
back In wave to his heart and set him
trembling. If Lily or his sister should have
seen him and s...v b.
With childish fury he resolved not to be
deprived of the joy that he had so hardly
acquired. He lifted the phial to his mouth
and swallowed. 1t contained more of the
liquid than he had thought: more than ever
before he had taken. He crouched in the
shadows and waited for the first dull sem
should herald his approach to Eden. And
as he waited the footsteps drew nearer,
passed him and moved into the full moon
light beneath Lily's window.
ThurSO looked up and recognized Villars.
He remained speHbound and speechless as
his eyes devoured the silent figure and
his brain slowly began. to grasp the posi-
BILE reasons for its presence
A gust of wrath pierced the sweet numb.
ness that enveloped Thursos senses. Stag
gering to his feet, for he was cramped from
long, tense STOPPING, he hurried out into
the moonlight in pursuit.
TIa 30 1ax,I .
so soon on it's predecessor, had already be-
gun to work upon mind and body. 1t was
strangely easy to move And the night
was very beautfful-more beautiful than
any the world had ever known-a night of
the gods and he, a god, in full possession
of its glories. He must share it's beau
ties, its Intoxicating wonders, with some
one. There was VilIars! How opportunity
he happened to be there at the moment!
But, then, everything was opportune, per-
feet.
'Villars," he murmured, touching the
others shoulder, and there was a dreamy
ecstasy in his voice that the counts
swift start and look of alarm could not
mar. "Villars! Did you ever know there
could be such night as this? You look
like Greek god posing here in the
moonlight. I wonder I never before re-
allied what classic face and splendid
figure you have! Look there to the left
Do you see that bright track over the
river. leading straight to within a few
feet of the farther bank? I always used
to think that track was made of moon
light. But 1t is not 1t is Of silver
purest silver. And you and I are going
to be the first mortals to walk across it,"
AS he had been speaking, Thurso had
Continued to move toward the river
drawing the dumfounded Villars alonT
with grip from which there was--no
escaping. They neared the bank.
ITO think" murmured Thurso in utter
ecstasy, that it should have been re-
served for us two, Of all the world to be
the first to pass along that silver track.
Don't hesitate, man! It's the heaven
sent chance of lifetime" r.
For Villars. with his foot on the slop-
his strength was puny and useless
against the mad power of his guide.
Have no fear! laughed Thurso, II.
will hold you in safety. Gomez"
Up to his knees the frightened Aus
trian was dragged into the cold water
He could not swim; and the black depths
before him yawned menacingly. The
mailman, a rapt look on his white face,
took no note of the water, but pressed
on. A last futile struggle, gasping cry
of horror from Villars, and the river had
risen to their waists.
"Thurso!'
It was Lilys voice. Standing on the bank,
her loose white dressing gown fiuttering in
the night breeze, she called gently, yet
1commandingly.
The earl turned
ut is a goddessr' he muttered: Venus
Anodyomener'-
Releasing the trembling count, he stum-
bled blindly back to the shore
CTo be continued tomorrow