The Washington herald., 1909-07-11

GERS, spied upon by those who had been his
friends; and now. as elimination, he found that
he had been betrayed by the only one whom he
had leaned in his long hours OF despair His
eyes were dry, hard and hopeless as he held her
up at arms length and looked deeply into hers,
which were solictous and questioning.
closer
Il wrote It," He was voceless again and stood
leaden and dull without Offering appeal apology
or explanation His very attitude told her that
behind this apathy was something which he had
not explained. Intuition came to her relief and
led her TO do the right thing, where reason would
have failed. Quite slowly and with of
infinite tenderness she put both hands upon his
shoulders and held her parted lips up until they
were almost against his set white cheek.
Dick she said. "oh Dick! Tell me what is it
what Is It? There is something you haven't
told. There is something | can't understand
Don't you know. don't you feel, that / love you
yet and believe in you. and that am entitled to
know the truth-to hear all that you're wanting to
say, yet holding back? Dick. you innocent"
His eyes lghtened, and he cutched her to him
until, in the involuntary exerton Of his strength
he hurt her with an embrace such as drowning
men give to those who rescue them.
Billy" he said, Il am innocent. Reilly came
to me many days before your father disappeared,
told me he wanted to see him, and asked me for
that pass. / gave ii because believed in him
My Cod l believed in him the only left
besides you whom could trust, and who would
believe i'm me-"
At his words the girl clung all the closer. and
her arms wrapt tightly around him as
II TO convince him that the battle against mex.
plicable fate was not yet lost
TN the moments silence which fonowed sudden
bursts of sound attracted them from within and
without Those inside the movements OF
hurryng heels over marble floors. and from with.
out was heard dull. heavy rumble which seemed
to jar the foundations of the building ITSELF fill
the air with menace, and strain the night TO a
point OF ominous deadly meaning Alarmed by
this suddenly heard outburst, Dick held Grace
away from him, and both listened to catch the
meaning of the monotone which swelling in
volume, and was now interspread with sharp, clat
terng notes
Horses" he said, horses in motion-and
guns"
with a wrench of violent elation, his saber clank
ing against his boot he the ante
room, and tore at the door leading to the cham
bers where the President was at rest. He had
forgotten all discipline in this rush of emotion
and was like a boy shouting glad news a sol
dier relieved from besiegement. The lovers fell
apart in attitudes of expectancy and they heard
his voice calling to the nurse who guarded the in
ner door.
Quick quck!" he commanded "TeII the Pres
ident what's happened It's better than any medi-
cine that can be given. Tell him that, when the
two armies outside heard foreign had come
their leaders met halfway. the swore they
might fight among themselves later, but they'd
combine now and whip any foreigner who under.
took to set foot on this land, or lay hand on the
Stars and Stripes Tell him quicki Teli him
they're joining forces out in 'front.'"
He tore madly back through the rOom and an
instant afterward the President in his dressing
gown, stimulated by excitement came tottering
out into the antechamber whose broad windows
opened on an Overhanging balcony facing the
stretches of the avenue below. Dick rushed to
him and caught him under arm supporting
his feeble steps, while Grace sought the other
side trying as best she might to aid him They
passed out through the window into the glare of
light from the arcs, which had been swung for
protection against the facade of the building
where they leaned against the baustrade, and
looked down. At their feet, the lawn below,
drawn up into a solid mass of blue which looked
black in the night, the gleam of accoutrements
and shoulder straps showing sharply here and
mere, stood the immobile and silent regular
troops. Out in the street beyond seeming to un.