The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-12
THE POWERS AND MAXINE
Copyright by 0 N A A M wllamson. Reserved

by the light of the street lamp. though nor as plainly as I'd seen the man, and they appeared to be arguing very ex- citediy about something. Whatever it was. it must have been in some way concerned with you. of your affairs. be- cause they were tremendously interest ga in the house. They both looked out, ana one pointed several times. Even If Ia intended to go in. I wouldn't have gone while they were there. But the very fact that they were there reused me out of the kind of lethargy of mis- cry I'd fallen into. I wondered who they were, and if they meant you harm or good. When they had driven away, made up my mind that would see you If I could I tried the/gate and found 1t unlocked. I walked in, and there were lights in these windows. I Knew you couldn't have gone to bed yet, though you dsaid you were so tired There was death in my heart then, for you and for n1a, Maxine. for--the gate hadn't opened again. and"
 Il know what you thoughtm I broke Tn. my heart beating so now that my voice shook little. though struggled It was Maxine who let the man in. He is with her now. I shall fnd them to- gether.'
 Yes" RaouI admitted. 'But didn't try the handle of the door. as had of the gate I rang. I couldn't bring myself to take you unawares."
 Do you think still I let a man in. ana hid him when heard you ring?' asked. f(For an instant was inciin- ed to tell the story Ivor had advised Aiae to tell; but saw how excited RAoul was; I saw now. in painting the picture for me, hs lived through the scene again. and. in spite of himself, suffered almost as keenly as he had suffered in the experience. saw how his suspi- cions of me came crawling back into his heart, though l had strove to lash them back. I dared not bring Ivor out from the other room, if he were still there. He was to handsome, too l young, too attractive in every way If Raoul had been Jealous of Count Goden- | sky, whom he knew had refused. what would he feel towards Ivor Dundas, e stranger whose name had never men ttoned, though he was received at my house after midnight? was thankful | hadn't taken lvor's advice and intro duced the two men at first, for in his then mood Raoul would have listened | to no explanations. He and I would mover have arrived at the understand ing we had reached now. And not having been frank at first. I must be secret to the end.)
 The very asking of such bold question--'Do you think let man in, and hid him" helped my cause with RaouL
 NO" he said. T can't think it. I won't, and don't think 1t. And you need tell me nothing. love you. And So help me God, won't distrust you againr'
 Just as 1t entered my mind to risk everything on the chance that Ivor | l. .an A. AI tvk heard, or faneied heard. faint sound | in the next room. He was there still! | Instead of throwing open the door, as 1t had occurred to me to do, saying. | Let us look for the man, and make sure no one else let him in," laughed out abruptly, as if on a sudden thought | but really to cover the sound If 1t should come again.
 "Oh ,Raoul,' exclaimed. in the midst of the laughter with which I surprised him. You're taking this too seriously A thousand times thank you for trust ing mo in spite of appearances, but | after all, were they so much against me? You seem to think that am the only young woman iS this house. Mari anne, poor dear. Is old enough, it's4 true | But I have a femme de chambre and a Cufsiniere, both under twenty-five both pretty, and both engaged to be married.'' (This was true. An, what a comfort to speak the truth to him. Doesn't 1t occur to you that. at this l very moment, a couple of lovers may | be sitting hand in hand on the seat un- der the old yew arbor? Can't you imag- l inc how they started and tried to hold their breath lest you should hear, as 1 yon opened the gate and came up the pathT
 "Forgive me-" murmured Raoui in l the depths of remorse again. Shall we go and look, or shall wa leave them in peace7"
 Leave them in peace, by all means |" | The man will be slipping away soon. no doubt. Both Therese and An- nette are god little girls"
 Don't let's bother about them. You will be sending me away soon. too. and shall deserve 1t. Brute that I am. You were so tired. and r."
 "Oh. I'm better now" said. Of course I must send you away by-and- bye, but not quite yet. First. want tn ask you if you weren't glad when you saw the diamonds?"
 Diamonds" echoed Raoul What diamonds2"
 "You don't mean to say you haven't vet opened the little bag I gave you at the theatre?" I exclaimed.
 Raoul looked half ashamed Dear est, don't think me ungrateful" he said. ''but before had a chance to open it, I met Godensky. and he told me--that