The Washington herald., 1908-05-30
CHAPTER XV-Continued.

Lord Ancestor was a man who had him
self we'll In hand. lie had reached a
period when the subtleties OF love are its
greatest fascination; but tonight some
thing whispered TO the animal in him:
''She has played with you long enough;
now take her. crush her, and break her,
and see what she is really made Of"
Lady Donoyle, looking up as he came
out Of the shadows. read something OF
the thought in face whose usually tired
look was replaced by the ardor she had
conquered in him eight years ago. why
that ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS look in
your dear old face, my Rivalon?' she ask
ed. trying 20 laugh the impulse down and
10 hide her JOY that the impulse was
there. He meant to kiss her-he did not
mean to talk about IT. So he came for
ward into the freight and tried 10 take
her in his arms
BE good. Riviei-please be good.
Rivle"' she said, extending a bare arm
and laying a hand. which slightly trem-
bled. on his chest Remember the rules
and regulations
Let me take you in my arms for one
moment, darlingl wont-I swear /
won't-ask for anything more! Just let
me know that you are real flesh and blood
let me kiss away that sad droop at the
corner Of your lips. What harm can
there be in that2'
If l was as strong as 1 would like
10 be" she answered-and the hand
which held him away trembled percept-
ibly-"there would be no harm I'm
afraid OF myself, Rivie-dreadfully afraid.
There's something In me I must stand
over, whip in hand. I'm sorry l didn't
run with you years ago-it would have
been different then. Help me, RIVE, Be
good chap. and go on helping me-"
Lord Ancestors sense OF chivalry re-
sponded TO the real appeal in the woman's
voice. His hands, which had been clasp
ed over her restraining fingers, dropped
10 his side. lie put a hand up on the
high mantel. and looked into the fire.
Il say,-Tm awfully sorry-I know 1
had no right-law OF hospitality. and all
that"
That's not true. RIVE" said Lady Do
nOyle, lighting a cigarette. You have
every right, and you know II. You are
here in my sitting-room at midnight. by
invitation. I love you. and you know 1
love you, as much-as much az / hate my
husband. With a few interludes. you
have given me the best years OF your
life. The sword between us is forged
Of whims and pride and a sort Of sport
ing instinct and-yes perhaps a fear of
the pace l might go down hill, IL 1 once
started. and the knowledge that j should
lose you on the way. RIVE And yet,
thin as that sword is. you know in your
heart that we have grown 10 be proud
Of II. 10 love IL, perhaps more than the
love we would gain by swapping IT, Let's
have a drink. RIVE. and talk sense"
Lord Ancestor came forward and mixed
himself a drink. It's all true. dear.
every word you say" He lifted his
glass. Il drink to the sword. Adelaide
God bless IT," He drank. and put down
his glass; then. looking up and catching
a wistful. tender glance trying TO hide
behind Lady Donoyles cynical smile, he
added: And God damn it,
God bless you. anyway, old boy, Bless
you for tempting me. and bless you for
helping me to resist, I shall break my
heart RIVE. when you stop being a temp
tatiOn. Sit down in that grandfather's
chair" she said, pointing 10 an ancient
hemmed-in chair Of dull leather and brass
nails and throwing her own self back in
a modern wicker.
Il promise Adelaide What IS TT"
It's this: II the archangel in the
lunatic asylum should spread his wings
and flap out OF a window or burst a
blood vessel. blowing his horn. and you
still want me-will you take me to Amer
lea. TO one Of those States where the
bonds of matrimony are so delightfully."-
fragile. and marry me. and love me. and
divorce me?'
"All but the last dear. Don't be n
diculous"
Il may be a grandmother then. How
is your friend. Mr.. Vandraken?"
He is In Paris, on a frightful spree"
That's good" replied Lady Donoyle.
In a tone of satisfaction. The bigger
the spree. the sooner he Will get tired Of
it, and the stronger the reaction"
"One shouldn't geueralize. You may
as well give UP all idea of Vandraken as
a son-in-law He is in the hands of a
woman who won't let go in a hurry"
"Oh. don't know. Those women never
get hold OF the whole of a man, espe-
cially young man. any more than good
women do. The other part is like the
murdered body you tDy to hide in a box,
in a nlghtmare-half' Of II pops out the
minute your back is turned Then you
shove It in again. and turn around, and
up Il bobs again"
But 1 assure you," insisted Lord An
cester, that Vandraken is an exception.
He has divided off his life in sections-so
many years for the lust Of the flesh. so
many years for the desire Of the eye.
and the rest for the pride of life
Lady Donoyle laughed. And Destiny
comes along and makes his plans into an
omelette. He wouldn't be the first man
who has challenged fate and got laugh
ed at and kicked all round creation for
his cheek. AS a matter of fact, he sends
Kitty white lilies every morning"
''Oh, Lord!-how vile Of him.
Vile! On the contrary, most poetic
'POetici To me they are like flowers