The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-08-09


 her. Their quivering arms fel1 away.
 They drew ever so slightly apart, still
 under the control of the influence
 which had held them for that brief
 moment. She was trembling violently.
 A soft, wailing sigh as of pain came from her lips.
 Then the glimmer of a light came to l them through the half open door at the end of tbe passage. They gazed at it
 without comprehension, dumb in their
 sudden weakness. A shadowy figure came out through the door, and Selim's voice, low and tense, called to them.
 Forgive me-" he murmured. '1t is too late," she replied. Then
 his hand sought hers again, and, dizzy | with emotion, he led her up to the open door. As they passed into the huge, dim1y lighted chamber he turned ] to look into her face. She met his gaze, and there were tears in her eyes. SeIim was ahead of them She shook her head sadly, and he understood. Can we ever forget?" she murmured plaintively.
 'tNeverv' he whispered. "Then we shall always regret-a1-
 ways regretY' she said, withdrawing her hand 'Tt was the beginning and
 the end"
 'tNot the end, dearest one--if we are
 always to regret" he interposed eager
 1y. But why the end? You do love
 me! know it! And I worship you oh, you don't know how I worship you, Genevra! I"-
 Flush! We were fools! Don't,
 please! do not love you I was car
 ried away by Oh, can't you under stand? Remember what I am! You
 knew and yet you have degraded me
 in my own eyes. Is my own self re- spect nothing? You will laugh and you may boast after I am married to-
 "Genevrar' he protested as if in great pain.
 "Exce11ency," came from the lips of Selim at the lower end of the cham Der, breaking in sharply upon their 1it- tie world, there is no time to be 1ost.' Time to be lost! And he had held her in his arms! Time to be lost! All the rest of time was to be lost! "They may return at any moment Chase pulled himself together. He looked into her eyes for a moment, finding nothing there but a command to go. She stood straight and unyfe1d- ing on the very spot which had seen her trembling with emotion but mo- ment before.
 Coming, Selin," he said, and moved away from her side as Neenah came toward them from the opposite wall. Genevra did not move. She stood quite still and numb, watching his tall fig ure crossing the stone floor. An, what a man he vast The little Persian wife of Selim, after waiting for full min ute, gently touched the arm of the princess. Genevra started and looked down into the dark, accusing, smiling eyes. She flushed deeply and hated herself
 Shall we go back?" she asked nerv- ously. "I-I have seen enough. Come, Neenah. Lead me back to-
 Most glorious excellency," said Nee nah, shaking her pretty head, i've are to wait here. The sa11ib and Selim will join us soon."
 Where are they going?" demanded the princess, feeling of awe coming over her. 'T don't want to be left here
 a1one.'' Chase and Selim had opened l a low, heavy iron door at the lower end and were peering. into the dark
 ness beyond.
 "Selim will explain He has learned ! much. It is the secret passage to the coast Be not afIaid." Genevra looked about her for the first time. They were standing in
 long, low room, the walls of which
 reeked with dampness and gave out 1 noxious odor. A single electric light provided faint, almost unnatural | light Selim raised a lighted lantern | as he led Chase through the squat l door. Behipd Genevra were enor- nous casks, a dozen or more, reach | ing almost to the ceiling. A number | of boxes stood close by, while on the | opposite side of the chamber four small iron chests were to be seen, dragged out from recesses in the dis | tant corner. Observing her look of l wonder, Neenah vouchsafed a casual | explanation. "It is the wine cellar and the store l room The iron chests contain the silver and gold plate that came from | the great rajah of Murpat in ex- | change for the five huge rubies which now adorn his crown. The old sahfbs | stored the chests here many years ago,
 but few know of their existence. See! They were hidden in the walls over
 there. von Blitz has found them" "von Blitzt' in amazement. "He has been here. He has carried away many chests. There were twen- | ty in a11.''
 "And-and he will return for these?"
 queried the princess in alarm. "Assuredly, most glorious one. Soon, | perhaps. But be not afraid. Selim
 can close the passage door. He can- not get in. He will be fooled, eh? | Why shoulG you be afraid? Have you not with you the most wonderful, the most brave sa hib? Would he not give | his life for youT' The dark eyes sparkled with understanding-aye, even
 mischief. Genevra felt that this ori-
 ental witch knew everything. For a | longs time she looked in uncertain mood
 upon that smiling, wistful face. Then
 she said softly, moved by an irresisti- l ble impulse to confess something, even | ObScurely.