The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-29


 rest, but had never questioned his title to the name he bore.
 Have they ever told you anything about us. Alban?" she continued. did you ever hear any stories which 1 should not hear?''
 "Only from Captain Forrest himself. he told me that he was engaged to you. That was when l went to the Savoy Ho- tel"
 All those weeks ago. And you never mentioned it?"
 Was it any business of mine? What right had I to speak to you about it?"
 She flushed deeply.
 "A secret for a secret" she said. "When you first came to Hampstead, l thought that you liked me a little Alban. Now, l know that you do not. Suppose there were a reason why l let Willy Forrest say that he was engaged to me, Suppose some one else had been unlIind when l wished him to be very kind to me. Would you understand then?"
 This was in the best spirit of the CO., quette and yet great earnestness lay be- hind it. Posing in that romantic light, the thick red lips poutins, the black eyes shining as with the clear flame of soul awakened, the head erect as that of deer which has heard a sound afar, this passionate little actress, half Pole, half Jewess. might well have set mans heart beating and brought him, suppiant, to her feet. To Alban there returned for q brief instant all that spirit of homage and of awe with which he had first be- held her on the balcony of the house in St. James Square. The cynic in him laid down his robe and stood before her in the garb of youth spellbound and fascinated. He dared to say to himself, she loves me it is to me these words are spoken
 "I cannot understand you. Anna ne exclaimed. tortured by some plague of sudden memory, held back from swift embrace he knew not by what instinct. You say that you only let Willy Forrest call himself engaged to you. Don't you love him. then-is 1t all false that you have told hlm?"
 'It Is quite false, Alban-I do not love him as you would understand the mean ing of the word. If he says l am en- gagged 10 him, is it true because he says it? There are some men who marry wo- men simply because they are persevering. Willy Forrest would be one of them if were weak enough. But I do not love hlm-G shall never love him. Alban.'
 She bent low and almost whispered the words in his ear Her hand covered his fingers caressingly. His forehead touched the lace upon her robe and he could hear her heart beating. An impulse almost ir- resistible came upon him to take her Tn his arms and hold her there, and find m her embrace that knowledge of the per feet womanhood which had been his dream through the years. He knew nos what held him back.
 Anna watched him with q hope that was almost an intoxication of doubt and curiosity She loved him In that mo- ment with all young girls ardor She believed that the whole happiness of her life lay in the words he was about to speak.
 CHAPTER XVI.
 The Intruder.
 A mans voice, calling to them from the lawn, sent them instantly apart as though caught in some guilty confidence. Anna knew that something unwonted had happened and that Willy Forrest had re- turned.
 What has brought him baek?" she ex- claimed a little wildly, and then, Don't go away, Alban. I shall want you. My father would never forgive me If he heard of it. Of course he cannot stop nere.'
 Alban made no reply but he helped her to the bank and they crossed the lawn together In the light of the veranda, they recognized Forrest. ca'fing motor cap in his hand and wearing q dust coat which almost touched his heels He had evidently dined and was full of the story of his mlshap
 Hello, Anna, here's game" he began. "my old fumigator's broke down and I'm on the cold, cold world Never had such a time in my life Showed thething from Taplow and nothing but petrol to drink es, what. can't you see me? l say, Anna, youll have to put me up tonight. There isn't d billiard table to let in the town, and l cant sleep on the grass -eh what you wouldn't put me out to graze now would you?'
 He entered the dining room with them, and they stood about the table while the argument was continued
 Billy says the g-what-d' yer-call-its gone lame in the off fore-leg. She went down at the distance like Ally that been hoeussed. There were the two of us in the bally dust-and look at mp fingers where 1 burned 'em with matches. After that q parson came along In a sig asked him if he had whisky and soda aboard and he didn't quote the Scriptures We couldn't get the brighter 10 move, and l ground the handle like Signor Con edotti of Saffron Hill in the parish of High Holborn. You'd have laughed fit to split if you'd haze been there, Anna and oh my Sammy. what a thing 1t is 10 have a thirst and to bring 1t home witn you. Do 1 see myself before n mahogany one or do l notch, what? Do l dream. do l sleep, or is visions about? You'll put us mp. of course, Anna? I've told Billy as much and he's showing the car into ths coach-house now
 He stalked across the room and without waiting 10 be asked helped himself to a whlsky-and- Anna looked quickly at Alban as though to say You must help me in this" Twenty-four hours ago she would not have protested at this mans intrusion, but tonight the glamor of the love-dream was still upon her, the idylI of her romance echoed In her ears and would admit uo other voice
 Willy" she said firmly, you know that you cannot stop. My father would never forgive me. He has absolutely for bdden you the house.
 He turned round, the glass still in hls hand and the soda from the slphon run ming in fountain over the tableeloth.
 Your father He's in Paris. ain't he? Are we going to telegraph about it? What nonsense you arc talking, Anna!
 "l am telling you what lmean. You cannot stop here and you must 80 to tho hotel immediately"
 He looked at her quite grayely, cast an ugly glance upon Alban and instantly understood.
 "Oh, so that's the game. I've tumbled into the nest and the young birds are al nome. Say 1t again, Anna. You show me the door because this young gentle man doesn't like my company Is 1t that or something else? Perhaps I'll take 1t that the old girl upstairs is going to ask me my intentions. The sweet lttle Anna Gessner of my youth has got the me- grims and is off to Miss Bot-up-Right to have q good cry together-eh, what, are you going 10 cry. Anna? Hang me # you wouldn't give the croeodiles six