Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-30

of Stroebel's name rang oddly in her ears, and the curious way in which Armitage and Chauvenet had come Into her life awoke new and anxious questions.
 Count von Stroebel was not dem- ocrat. at any rate," she said. He be-
 leyed in the divine right and all that"
 "So do I, Miss Claiborne. It's all we've got to stand a."
 But suppose a democratic prince were to fall heir to one of the Euro pean thrones, insist on giving his crown to the poor and taking his oath in Q frock coat, upsetting the old order en- tirely"-
 He would be a fool, and the people ! would drag him to the block in a week." declared the baron vigorously. They pursued the subject in lighter vein few minutes longer; then the baron rose. Judge Claiborne summon ed the waiting carriage from the sta ble, and the baron drove home.
 T ought to work for an hour on that Danish claims natter" remarked the judge. glancing toward his curtained den.
 You will do nothing of the kind. Night work is not permitted in the val ley"
 Thank you. I hoped you would say that, Shirley. I believe I am tired, and now if you will find a magazine for me I'll go to bed. Ring for Thom- as to close the house."
 T have a few notes to write. They'll take only minute, and I'll write them here"
 She heard her fathers door close, lis tened to be quite sure that the house was quiet and threw back the curtains. Armitage stepped outsinto the library.
 You must go! You must go" she whispered, with deep tensity.
 "Yes; must go. You have been kind. You are most generous"
 But she went before him to the hall, waited, listened, for one instant; then threw open the outer door and bade him go. The rain dripped heavily from the caves, and the cool breath of the freshened air was sweet and stimulat- ing. She was immediately relieved to have him out of the house, but he lin gered on the veranda, staring helpless ly about.
 T shall go home." he said, but so un- steadily that she looked at him quick ly. He carried the cloak flung over his shoulder and in readjusting it dropped 1t to the floor, and she saw in the light of the door lamps that his arm hung limp at. his side and the gray cloth of his sleeve was heavy and dark with blood. With quick gesture she stoop- ed and picked up the cloak.
 Come. come! This is all very dread ful. You must go to physician at once"
 My man and horse are waiting for me. The injury is nothing" But she threw the cloak over his shoulders and led the way across the veranda and out upon the walk.
 q do not need the doctor; not now. My man vii. care for me-"
 He started through the dark toward the outer wall. as though confused. and she went before him toward the side entrance. He was aware of her quick light step, of the soft rustic of her skirts. of q wish to send her back, which his tongue could not voice, but he knew that 1t was sweet to follow her leading. At the gate he took his bearings with a new assurance and strength.
 Tt seems that I always appear to you in some miserable fashion. It is preposterous for me to ask forgive ness. To thank you
 Please say nothing at all, but go. Your enemies must not find you here again. You must leave the valley"
 T have work to do. But 1t must not touch your life Your happiness is too much, too sweet to me-"
 You must leave the bungalow. found out today where you are staying. There is new danger there. The mountain people think you are a reve- nue officer I told one of them"-
 "Yesw
 "-that you are not. That Is enough. Now hurry away. You must find your horse and go."
 He bent and kissed her hand.
 You trust me. That is the dearest thing in the world" His voice fal- tered and broke In a sob, for he was worn and weak. and the mystery of the night and the dark. silent garden wove spell upon him, and his heart