Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-02

name 20 which you have little right.
Mr.. Haddons" she said gently. "I be-
leve that you saved my life just now.
am much Obliged to you"
She extended a white hand ln the
gloom. There was absolutely nothing
of sentimentalism in the action. And
for myself. was oynioally unmovod.
I received her thanks almost guilty
and little sullenly.
Il little thought" she continued
dreamily. that you. OF all men, would
save my life. It savors a good deal
Of the melodramaic. does It not? II
is very strange"
At the best Il was a lucky accident.
Miss Brett Frankly. you are unhurt
rather because tho man was a bao
shot than because OF any assistance 7
gave you"
] spoke the words thoughtfully and
quite sincerely. I knew only too well
that my Interference would have been
too late had Or. Sarva's aim been
more sure. II seemed to me little
less than a miracle chat Helena Brett
should be unwoundcd. I could take
no credit for that myself
Far from that, / should tell her the
absolute truth II I were honest I
would say 60 her: con the contrary.
I have proved myself "a be q coward
again-inhnitely more so than when
Willoughby lost his life. Then I waa
exhausted, physically powerless. Now
! have failed-suu by the fatal three
scconds-because terror held me spoli-
bound for the moment 10 makes Ut-
tie difference. so far as my courage OF
cowardico is concerned. that YOU arc
living while Willouehby died Tn
either case 7 have been equally weak"
That was what I should say TO her 10
were an honest man.
But did not You see 7 am frank IN
these confessions. Really. then. 7 am
showing that fin this instance 7 was
even q greater coward than before
For then I az least told the truth.
did not conceal from her the hideous
word Willourhby had spoken before
he died. Now I was conccalinr from
her the fact that 7 know deserved
the reproach as kecnly.
We had reached the top OF Tho stems
We walked slowly toward the Grand
hotel Helena. could see. was con-
corncd with her own thoughts as much
as was 7. For a moment tho shock OF
tho accident had made her fe~cot her
errand. Now that we were near tho
hotel Its urgency came 90 her with re-
doubled force. She was dohatre
whether she should take me into her
confidence. She was saving 20 hcr-
solf was sure chat &c would De
generous roparation for her unjust
consure Of mo on the terrace OF tho
hotel at Luccrne II She intustcd 20
me the dcliverauce OF Captain Forbes.
why" she asked slowly. should
that man have lain IN wait Tor me
horo2 Was he q common thicf. do
you thinkc"
No. 7 answered after some hosita-
ton. "He SIS Bulgarian. political ad.
vonturer. 7 am afraid. lffsg p~o.t
that DC has had much to do witch thc
disappearance OF YOUR brother"
She paused. startled.
How should YOU know that7" her
voice vibratcd with suspicion.
Because I have learned something
OF him 40 tho chateau. ana q guest
there" 7 pointed 20 tho castle towers
across tho valley.
you are guest OF that woman.
Madame dc Varnicr?"
"Ycs."
"Thcn. SIR" she was Fastening her
steps. and spoke with cold hostility.
at is certainly not 60 you that should
be appealing for hclp."
Miss Brett" I said With Some bit-
terness, you draw your conclusions
very hastily Is IL impossible for YOU
10 believe that / wish to help you
that 7 wish to make atoncment 20 Won
FOR the suffering I have caused you
unconsciously?"
She looked at me intenuy. her eyes
stiu wide with distrust.
But you are at the chateau" She
repeated. You are a friend Of that
Infamous woman who has ruined my
brother. II you are her friend how
can YOU be miner"
Il have not said that I am her
friend" ! protested quietly.
but you are at the chateau" She
spoke the words obstinately. That
fact was, in her eyes, an unanswerable
argument
Yes; and know that Captain
Forbes is detained there; I know that
he has just slgnaled TO you that fact
and has asked you to get help. And
now / want you 10 leave the matter
in my hands. I demand that as my
right. II IS a task have set myself
Once you said to me that 7 should
save a life for the life that was lost
through me-"
You have already made that repa-
ration. Mr. Haddon," she said almost
humbly. Fate has punished me that
I should have judged you so hastily
and so wrongly"
mo. mol" I spoke in fierce remon.
STRANGE. ''Win you never be Just to
me? That was an accident, I tell
you"
'T do not like you less that you say
So"
It was hopeless to make her under
stand now. I should have confessed
my cowardice sooner IL I wished to be
believed. She had judged as at Luz
cerne, And this Judgment caused me
much the greater pain.