The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-08
CHAPTER XVI.
IphigeBia.

IphiEenia.
It was not only Lady Stormont who had
wondered uneasly at IsobeTs sudden
variations of mood Conyers had OBJ
served them, too. and his deep inward
discomfort was forced TO attribute them
in some way 10 Ashes presence, though
he had 70 admit that the latter strolled
along 20 all appearance little affected by
them. The truth was that IsobeI's en-
durance was reaching the breaking point.
Since she had flung her last taunt at
Ashe. that meeting under the chapel por-
tico might have been "a bad dream for
all the reference he made 10 tin words
at least But his presence was yelled
menace. his smile the little ordinary
courtesies be rendered. made her trem-
BILE. The sword which was hanging over
her head must fall-and soon; bat Till he
chose 10 speak she could not reopen the
subject-pTide and the position she had
taken up, to treat his allegations as wild.
incredible fCtiOnS, both rendered il inn
possible, till Hsw she was torn between a
shrinking horror Of what must come ana
a reckless longing for anything. even the
worst, 10 happen; at least, it would be
over.
Basil had fingered a little, talking to
man. as roUgh-looking as his very prim-
five abode, but who had few words Of
English-as who has not IN that tourist
ridden land? They We're discussing the
weather, and the possibility of further
climbing that season; and then. as the
man showed q good deal of knowledge OF
the subject a scheme which Basil had
been revolving of crossing the mountains
into Italy and rejoining the Stormont
party theTe-provided always they We're
safely rid Of Ashe The peasant prompt
" pronounced the idea to be madness,
which reused COnyers TO argue on be-
half of his project, till at last. looking
round, he found himself apparently left
alone. A glance down the rocky track
showed him only two figures. winding
slowly down it, Isobel must have gone
further on then-aud with Ashe,
Wei, the storm which the peasant said
was brewing would be reason enough 70
insist upon her return. He pushed his
way through the village. which could
boast nothing that could be called a
street. the crazy. lettering chalets stand
ing shoulder TO shoulder, as close almost
as stacks in q stack-yard. As ne neared
the further end, he was certain that he
heard voices, but when be stood in the
open again the wide, high valley, sweep
ing UP 10 the cold, cleaning fangs Of a
glacier. lay empty in ali its expanse be-
fore him. They must be somewhere
about this hide-and-seek place. then, but
as he passed again by the tiniest and rud-
est of chapels. ChOked in among the
chalets, Isobel's voice struck plainly on
his ear, and 20 his fancy with note Of
distress in it. Next instant his hand
was on the rotting door but before he
could push it back he heard Ashe say
calmly.
4 have not hurried you in any way; I
have not pressed for an answer. 1 have
given you plenty OF time to think. but
YOU must see that there IS only one an
swer possible, and that what ] ask. I
must have-I viii have" There was fin
ality in the three slowly uttered words
Conyers flung the rickety door back
with a crash. The tiny. musty place
within could have been SPAWNED by his
outstretched armS and before Ihe altar.
under a rude figure Of the churchs mill
tant saint Ashe and IsObel were stand
ing, the girl shrinking as far from him
as the narrow confines would permit.
But a better representative Of the celes-
tial champion in the eternal combat be
tween darkness and light would have
been found in spite of his tweed shoot
ing suit. in the young man who now burst
in, his eyes afiame, bringing the breeze
and JOY Of battle with him
Isn't this a quaint little placer ex-
claimed Isobel recovering herself after
one low Utterance of startled dismav.
and with lightning qUickness, and with a
womaE's instructive desire to save a sit
uatiOn.
But COnyers paid no heed. He did not
even look at her, as he stepped between
her and Ashe.
I don't know what this IS about. My
cousin may tell me or not, just as she
pleases; but I at least have an answer
ready for you. and you can have II
whenever you choose, the sooner the bet
ter"
Ashe regarded him with a smile. which
made Conyers tingle to take Justice into
his own hands then and there
You certainly don't know. Mr.. Con-
yers. what this is about, though If Miss
StormOnt chooses TO inform you"-he
shrugged his shoulders Before YOU in
/ terfere, however. in what so far is en-
/ tirely between her and myself, perhaps
you should ascertain whether your IN
| reference is welcome, and. composed
/ and smiling, even a little amused ap-
parently. mis- handsome head thrown
slightly back, he glanced at Isobel.
There can be nothing between YOU
and Miss Stormont," said Basil, "5ut
you may have been trading on a very
young girls ignorance and fnexperience,