The Washington herald., 1908-03-13
CHAPTER XVI.
On Dnngerous Ground.

the river, and rendering il a ripping
food Of gold. Max and Marion were seat
ed in the long upstairs room Of that old
fashioned riparian inn, the London Ap-
prentice. at Isleworth. taking their tea at
the open window.
Before them was the green ait, with
the broad, tree-fringed river beyond. a
quiet. peaceful Old World scene that.
amid the rapidly changing metropolitan
suburbs. remains the same to-day as 1t
has been for the past couple Of centuries
or so.
They always preferred that quiet. old
fashioned upstairs roOm-the clubroom, II
was ealled-of the London Apprentice,
at Isieworth. to the lawns and string
bands Of Richmond, the tea gardens OF
Kew, or the pleasures of Eel Pie Island.
That long. silent old. paneled room.
with its big bow-window commanding a
wide reach of the river toward St Mar
garets. was well suited to their idyHic
love. They knew that there they would
at least be alone, away from the Sunday
crowd. and that after tea they could sit
at the window and enjoy the calm sun
down.
The riverside at Isleworth does not
change. Even the electric trans have
passed close by it on their way TO Hamp-
ton Court from Hammecsnith but they
have not modernized H. The old square
lowered church, the row OF ancient bal
conied houses. covered with tea roses
and jasmine. and the ancient waterman's
hostelry. the London Apprentice are just
the same to-day as they have ever been
in the memory of the oldest inhabitant;
and the little square in the center of the
riverside village is as silent and untrOd-
den as in the years when Charles II loved
&c 80 there on his barge and dine In that
very room at the inn. and when, later
David Garrick and Pope sang its praises
Max and his well-beloved had finished
their tea, and. with her hat and gloves
OF, she was lying back in a lounge
chair in the deep bay window, watching
the steamer Queen Elizabeth, with its
brass band and crowd of excurslonists,
slowly returning to London. Near her
ne was seated, lazily smoking a cigarette,
his eyes upon her in admiration. but still
wondering. as he always wondered.
The truth concerning Maud Petrovitch
had not been told.
He was very fond of the doctor Quiet.
well-educated, polished. and pleasant al
ways, he was, though foreigner. and
a Servian 10 boot, the very essence Of a
gentleman. His dead wife had, no doubt,
Influenced him toward English ways and
English thought. while Maud herself-the
very replica OF his lost wife, ne always
ceclared-now held her father beneath
her influence as a bright and essentially
English girl.
The disappearance Of the pair was an
enigma which. try how he would, he
could not solve His efforts to find Rolfe
had been Unavailing. and Marion herself
had neither seen nor heard from him.
At Charles chambers his man remained
in complete ignorance. His master had
left for Servia-that was all
Max had been trying in vain to lead
the conversation again up to the matter
over which his mind had become so much
exercised; but with her woman's keen
ingenuity. she each time combated his
efforts, which, truth 10 tell, only served
TO increase his suspicion that her inten-
tion was to shield herself behind her
friend.
Why this horrible misgiving had crept
upon him he could not tell He loved
her with his whole heart and soul. and
daily he deplOTed that. while he lived in
bachelor luxury in artistic chambers,
and with every whim satisfied. she was
compelled 10 toll and drudge in a London
drapery store He wished with his whole
heart that he could take her out Of that
soul-killing business life, with all its
petty jealousies and its eternal make
believe toward customers. and put her
IN the companionship of some elderly
gentlewoman in rural peace.
But he knew her too we'll The mere
offer she would regard as an insult A
hundred times she had told him that.
ff-aT
she was proud OF being able TO do So
Charlie, her brother, he could not un-
derstand- He had just made a remark
70 that effect and she had asked:
Why? He's awfully good 10 me- you
know. Lots Of times he sends me un-
eXpectediy So notes, and they come in
very useful 20 a girl like me. you know.
/ dave say" she laughed you spend s
much in single evening when you 90
out with friends 20 the theater and sup
per ut the Savoy as I earn in a month.
That's Just it" he said. L can't un-
derstand why Charlie, in his position.
secretary TO one Of the wealthiest men in
England, allows you to slave away in a
shop"
He does so because refuse to leave"
was her prompt answer L don't care
70 live on the charity OF anybody while
1 have the capacity to work Ny parents
were both proud in this respect, and I
take after them I suppose"
That is all to your credit, dearest"
ne said; but l am looking forward to
the future love you, as you we'll know.
and can't bear TO think that you are
bound To serve at CunningtOn's from Q
in tho morning till at night-waiting
on a set Of old hags who try to choose
dresses TO make them appear young
girls"
She laughed. her beautiful face turned
toward his
Aren't you rather hard on my sex.
MAXI? she asked I'VE all of US try 10
present ourselves to advantage in order
to attract and please"
All except yourself, darling" he said
courteously- You look just as beautiful
in your plain business gown as you do
now"
That's really very sweet of you." she
said smiling. Then a moment later a
serious look Overspread her countenance
and she added: why worry yourself
over me, Max dear. I am very happy.
have your love. What more can I
want?"
'Ah! my darling" he cried. rising and
bending till his lips touched hers. those
words of yours fill me with contentment.
You are happy because love you. And
l am happy because have secured your
affection! You can never know how
deeply l love you-Or how completely 1 |
am yours. My only thought is of you, !
my well-beloved; OF your present life. and |
OF yoCr future Z have friends-men OF |
the world who srend their time at clubs. |
at sport, or at theaters-who scoff at !
love 1 seoff with them sometimes. be-
cause there is but one love in all the /
world for me-yo1rsr'
Yes" she said, slowly fixing her eves