The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-11-17

ing myself the question-are We
justified? have spoken to Sir
Charles and DR.. Fulton, but they
freeze me with their cold Science
I swear to you, m'sieur, that were
it not for George, / would be
tempted to break my oath!"
Foolish child, you must not
trifle with this weakness. Crush
it; subdue it,"
/. "Ah!' Bah! m'sieur. A woman's
heart is weak"
But not the heart of a woman
who loves, my child. Remember,
this is Georges life for which you
are striving. And those others,
what are they but worthless ones,
condemned already past redemp-
ton. Granted, perhaps, that our
experiments may hasten the newt
able end, of what de we deprive
them but a few weeks or days of
painful suffering? All. no, my
child, you must not turn back now.
Any day the secret may be discov-
cred, the door of life thrown open
to us all. And that to you will
mean the instant realizing of your
dearest dreams. Think of it, Mar
ion, your lover yours to wed, yours
for long years of happiness"
The woman answered in a Sob
bling voice: George is SO miser-
able. m'sieur. He speaks of death.
He is filled with despair"
you must be firm with him, my
child. have discovered that he is
in debt, deeply in debt. For that
reason he most despairs, because
he fears to leave you poor as well
as desolate. fear that he contem-
plates some desperate expedition.
But you must persuade him to be
patient. You know, Marion, that
we are all pledged not to finan-
cially assist each other. On that
account l dare not help your lover,
though l care for him as If he were
my son. But with you it is differ
ent."
How, m'sieur?"
why, my dear-you are not of
our order, being woman. although
you are attached to us by ties
which may not be unravelled. Take
this package, child. 1t contains a
great sum Of money. Ten thousand
pounds. shall not ask you to tell
me what you do with it. No, child,
not a ward"
"M'sieur, m'sieur!" cried the
woman.
I was so amazed, so COMPOUNDED
with establishment, that I sat up
and turned my head. The tableau
is as clear to my remembrance now
as though it had happened yester-
day. My master was gazing at the
woman, his companion, with look
of paternal tenderness. His coun-
tenance was TRANSPORTED beyond
recognition, for in place of his half
satufnine, half querulous aspect, l
saw an expression of such holy and
unselfish love that in very wonder
caught my breath. The woman
with both hands held the package
he had given her to her breast. Her
bosom heaved and fell with deep,
inarticulate emotion. Moreover, she
had raised her veil. Never had l
seen a face one-half so beautiful.
Her eyes were large and finely
shaped, in color passionate red
brown. Her nose was straight and
cast in the Grecian mold, with thin,
quivering, curved nostrils. Her
mouth perfect bow. The lips
were TREMENDOUSLY parted. l have
since seen the expression they
wore then perpetuated on the can
vas Of Bottocelli's most famous Ma
donna. 1t was indescribably
pathetic, full of both bliss and pain.
Fortunately for me, neither had
remarked my movement. AS soon
as l perceived the indiscretion of
which l had been guilty, l turned
about again and bending my fore
head to my knees, groaned aloud.
The sound broke the spell l heard
them mutter together, and mo-
ment later their departing foot
steps.
Ito be continued)