Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-24
CHAPTER XVIII.


fell upon the table. The eyes of every one
| were turned upon the newcomer. And he.
leaning upon his stick. looked only for one
person. and having found her, took no heed
| OF any one else.
"Lucillev'
She rose from her seat and stood with
hands outstretched toward him. her lips
parted in a delightful smile. her eyes soft
with happiness.
Victor. welcome! 1t is like you have
found me, and. 1 knew that you would
come"
He raised her fingers to his lips-tenderly
with the grace Of a prince, but all the
affection of a lover. What he said to
her none could hear, for his voice was
lowered almost to a whisper But the
color stained her cheeks and her blush
was the blush Of a girl
A movement Of the duchess recalled him
to a sense Of his social duty. He turned
courteously to her with extended hand.
Il trust" he said. that I may be for
given my temporary fit of alteration.
cannot thank you sufficiently, duchess. for
your kind invitation"
Her answering smile was a little du-
bious.
II am sure" she said that we are de-
lighted to welcome back among us SO old
and valued friend. L suppose you know
every one
Mr.. sabin looked searchngly around. ex-
changing bows with those whose faces
and the Prince of SAKE Leinitzer there
passed no pretense at any greeting The
two men eyed one another for a moment
coldly. Each seemed to be trying to read
IT believe" Mr.. Sabin said, that 1 have
that privilege. 1 see, however. that 1 am
tnterrupting your game. Let me beg you
to continue. With your permission. duch-
| w IN
many things which my wife and 1 have
to say to one another
The Prince Of SAKE Leinitzer laid his
cards softly upon the table He smiled
upon Mr.. sabin-a slow, unpleasant smile.
II think" he said slowly, that our
game must be postponed. 1t is a pity, but
I think 1t had better be So"
1T must be entirely as you wish" Mr..
Sabin answered. II am at your service
now later
The prince rose to his feet
Monsieur lie Due de Souspennier." he
said. what are we to conclude from your
presence here this EVENING""
1T is obvious" Mr.. sabin answered. IT
claim my place among you"
You claim to be one of us?''
II do!'
Ten. years ago." the prince continued.
you were granted immunity from all the
penalties and obligations which a co-mern-
bership with might involve. This priv-
lege was extended to You on account Of
certain great operations in which you were
then engaged. and the object of which was
not foreign to our own aims. You are
Is long since past"
Mr.. Sabin leaned with both hands upon
his stick. and his face was like the face
of sphinx. Only Lucille, who knew him
best of all those there, saw him vince for
q moment before this reminder Of his great
failure
II am not accustomed" Mr.. Sabin said
quietly, Ito shirk my share of the work in
any undertaking with which I am connect
ed. Only in this case l claim to take the
place of the Countess Lucille, my wife. 1
request that the task. whatever II may be
which you have imposed upon her, may be
transferred to me-
The princes smile was sweet, but those
who knew him best wondered what evil
1t might betoken for his ancient enemy.
You offer yorself, then, as a full men,
ber?'
"Assuredlyv'
Subject" he draWled Ito all the usual
pains and privileges?'
"Certainly"
The prince played with the cards upon the
table. His smooth, fair face was unruffied.
almost undisturbed. Yet underneath he
was wondering fiercely, eagerly, how this
might serve his ends.
THE circumsta noes" he said at last ARE
peculiar. l think that we should do we'll
to consult together-you and 1, Felix, and
Raoul here"
The two men named rose up silently
The prince pointed to small round table
screened off by a curtained recess.
Am I also" Mr.. Sabin asked. "of your
company
The prince shook his head
Il think not he said. I'm a few mo-
ments we will return"
Mr.. Sabin moved away with a slight
enigmatic gesture. Lucille gathered up her
skirts, making room for him by her side
on a small sofa.
1T is delightful to you, Victor" she
murmured. ut is delightful to know that
you trusted me-"
Mr.. Sabin looked at her and the smile
which no other woman had ever seen
softened for a moment his face.
Dear Lucille he murmured, ''how could
you ever doubt it? There was a day,
admit, when the sun stood STILL when,
If had felt inclined TO turn to light liter
atures should have read aloud the Book
of Job: But afterward-well, you see that
1 am here
She laughed.
Il knew that you would come" she said |
and yet 1 knew that it would be a strug- |
gle between you and them. For-the
prince. she murmured, lowering her |
voice. had pledged his word to keep us |
apart"
Mr.. sabin raised his head. and his eyes |
travelled toward the figure of the man
who sat with his back to them in the far |
distant corner of the room.
THE prince he said softly. lis faith |
full to his ancient enmites."
Luciles face was troubled She turned |
to her companion with little grimace
HE would have me believe" she muir
INJURED, that he is faithful to other things |
besides his enmities."
Mr.. Sabin smiled. d..
II am not jealous he said softly, '-of
the Prince of SAKE Leinitzer! i
AS though attracted by the mention of his
name, which must, however have been
unheard by him. the prince at that moment |
turned round and looked for moment
toward them. He shot quick glance at |
Lady Carey. Almost at once she rose
from her chair and came across to them.
The princes Watchdog" Lucille muir
INJURED. Hateful woman! She is bound
hand and foot to him, and yet"
Her eyes met his. and he laughed
Really" he said, you and I In our old
age might be hero and heroine of "a little
unaesiring objects of a hope
less affection! -. -..
Lady Carey sank into a low chair by
their side. T.-s5 a..
You two" she said, with a slow, ma
cfous smile, ARE a pattern to this wicked |
world. Don't you know that such fidelity
IS positively sinful, and after three years
in such country, too?' !
1T is the approach Of senility," Mr. Sa-
bin answered her. II am an old man, |
Lady Muriel!' -
She shrugged her shoulders
You are like Ulysses" she said THE
gods, or rather the goddesses, have helped
you toward Immortality"