Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-17
THE CASTLE OF DOUBT,
BY JOHN H. WHITSON,
AUTHOR OF
1.-The Rainbow Chasers."

assisted was my answer, as I placed my
self in an easier and more satisfying pos
ture But, then, such assistance is a de-
light. Where is the castle?"
The castle?"
ITO which I am now to be taken. I
mink you must be the princess / saw in the
play last night and l the wounded knight.
VI course you will treat me well when you
get me there, But / can stand even a
donJon-keep. | assure you, if you will but
stay close by me-"
freed myself and looked at her. But for
the brilliant flush of her cheeks. her face
was white, too white, due, l thought, TO
the somber hue of her clothing
W hat. crying?' l said Forgive my
leVity. You can't expect me to take this
thing seriously, though. And fer heaven S
| sake tell me Just what is the meaning OF
our play-acting? / am willing TO be knight
twounded or otherwise TO two such charm
ing princesses. And 1 admit l am hard
hit. If not sorely wounded. But even a
wounded knight may be allowed curiosity. -
Julian, this is not play-acting.'
mo-"
Certainly not"
'tFhen what is it?'
I'VE are taking you home"
L sat up straighter and looked at her
even more intently. My face must have
revealed the puzzled state of my mind
And now that l have found YOU you
shall never, never go away again. She
declared.
| gasped my amazement.
Home cried the adorable one to the
driver. in a voice of liquid sweetness. ct
was really liquid-she was crying)
The horses gave a jump, The carriage
swung round. and We We're rolling swiftly
toward the citV
My emotions ran the gamut The jerk OF
the carriage had thrown me heavily
against the cushions. and the woman who
| had captured me q felt at the moment that
had been capturcd) was declaring what
! wild nonsense / knew not
| was aware that the other nymph was
uttering Sundry calculations that seemed
i almost hysterlCal but she at least did moi
throw her arms round my neck and kiss
me.
! Il don't know that l ought to object to
/ this, s.nca IL IS SO pleasant | said tryins
| hard to be humorous. Still. If 1 may be-
permitted question, l should be pleased
| like the congressman of refreshing memory
| TO know just where we are at -
Julian she answered, we cant discus!
| the matter now. | think l understand" c
| was sure | did not) You are my hus
band, and you are going home with me-.
Good heavens Her husband! l gave
| jump of establishment
'Of course l am nothing of the kind
| replied You must have reason, though
! for saying it. And also, of course it is {
| Weighty one
But my. levity had grown little heavy.
| Il have the best of reasons. 1t Is true
| And you are going home with me.
| And then what" | asked.
, You are TO remain with me-for ever an(
| ever
| But if l cried-"if you discover that
am not your husband-that this is mis-
! take? l haven't the pleasure at this mo
| ment of being the husband of any woman
| 1t is my loss, l know, and"
| I'VE Will not discuss the matter, Julian
| Though sweet and kindly, the tone wa
final.
| Julian WHAT" l asked irreleyantlv
when shunted thus into side track
| Randolph, of course. Have you for
gotten your own Nance
| IF that is my name l certainly have
answered. The last time / took stock O
my personal belongings my name wa
| Louis Armitage."
| Il think l understand" she said. calmly
/ stared at her, and at the girl of tai
who was abettng her Again for the mo