The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-11-28


She had begun seriously. but laughed
at the absurdity of her last words.
You are amazingly impersonal. You
would save a mans life without caring
in the least what manner OF man he
may be-"
You put 1t rather fatty. but that's
about the truth of the matter. Do you
know. | am almost afraid
Not Of ME. hope
Certainly not. But it has occurred
TO me that you may have the conceit
of your own mystery. that you may
take rather too much pleasure in mys-
tifying people as TO your identity"
That is unkind-that is unkind,"
and he spoke without resentment. but
softly. with falling cadence. He sud-
denly threw down the hat he had held
in his hand. and extended his arms to-
ward her
"You are not unkind or unjust. You
have G right TO know who / am and
what | am doing here. 1t seems an
inpertiDence to thrust my affairs upon
you. but If you will listen should like
to tell you-it will take but a moment
why and what
please do not. AS told you, l
have no curiosity in the matter. l can't
allow you to tell me. l really don't
want to know"
Il am willing that every one should
know-tomorrow-or the day after
not later"
She lifted her head. as though with
the earnestness of some new thought
The day after may be too late.
Whatever it is that you have DONE
II have done nothing to be ashamed
Of swear have notr'
Whatever II is. and | don't care
what it is" she said deliberately. at
is something quite serious. Mr. Armi-
tage. My brother
She hesitated for a moment then
spoke rapidly.
my brother has been detailed to
help in the search for you He is at
Storm Springs now"
But he doesn't understand
MY brother Is a soldier. and II "a
not necessary for him to understand"
anu yOu nave tulS-IOu nave
come to warn me-
1T does look pretty bad" she said.
changing her tone and laughing a lit
tie. But my brother and I've al
ways had very different ideas about
you, Mr.. Armitage. We hold briefs
for different sides Of the case''
"Oh. I'm a case. am I?' And he I
rrxht rpln
lightness in her tone. "But I'd really
like to know what he has to do with
my affairs"
Then you will have to ask him."
ITO be sure. But the government
can hardly have assigned Captain Clai-
borne to special duty at NJ. Chauve-
nets request. l swear to you that I'm
as much In the dark as you are"
"I'm quite sure an officer of the line
would not be taken from his duties
and sent into the country on any friv-
olous errand. But perhaps an ambas-
sadOr from great power made the re-
quest-perhaps. for example. it was
Baron Won Marhof."
Good Lordr'
Armitage laughed aloud.
Il beg your pardon! really beg
your pardon! But is the ambassador
looking for me%
Il don't know, Mr.. Armitage. You
forget that I'm only a traitor and not
a spy"
You are the noblest woman In the
world" he said boldly, and his heart
leaped in him, and be spoke on with a
fierce haste. You have made sacri-
fees for me that no woman ever made
before for a man-for man she did
not know. And my life, whatever it is
worth. every hour and second Of 1t, l
lay down before you. and it is yours
to keep or throw away. l followed
you halfway round the world, and l
shall follow you again and as long as
live. And tomorrow or the day after
l shall justify these great kindnesses,
this generous confidence, but tonight 1
have a work to do"
AS they stood on the verge Of the de-
file by the bridge that swung out from
the cliff like a fairy structure they
heard far and faint the whistle and
low rumble Of the night train south
bound from Washington. and to both
Of them the sound urged the very real
and practical world from which for a
little time they had stolen away.
81 must go back" said Shirley and
turned to the bridge and put her hand
| on its slight iron frame, but he seized
her wrists and held them tight
"YOu have risked much for mo but