The gold leaf., 1909-06-24


side of the room that led to his private
chamber. When he had gone Ribiere
touched Ivanoff on the shoulder as
signal, and the stricken man arose.
One glance he cast upon the guilty
woman, who shrank so shiveringly
into q corner as he gazed upon her,
and then said:
81 would not touch you-even to
strangle your and then to the thun-
derstruck Hawcastle he said:
God will let me pay my debt to the
Earl Of Hawcastle!'
In an instant he was gone, and Haw-
castle, pale with rage and anguish,
srode forward to Pike, who was smil-
ing.
"Why, you the earl began, but
Daniel raised his hand. He spoke soft
ly, even genially.
"Oh, 1 hated to hand you this, my
lord" he said. II didn't come over
here to make the fine flower Of Europe
any more trouble than they've got.
But l had to show John Simpsons
daughter, and I reckon now she amt
wanting any alliance with the rem
nants of Crecy and Agincourt"
From the other side Of the sofa,
where she had been sobbtng on her
brothers shoulder. Ethel came trem-
blingly
Il have no choice" she said slowly.
"You see, gave Almeric my promise
when thought it an honor to bear his
name. Now that you have shown me
that it is shame to bear it the prom.
Use is only more sacred. You see, the
shame is not his fault, is it? YOU
want-me-to-be-h onorable-don't-
youY'
When she had finished Daniel was
leaning well back on the table.
''Your father and mother-both-
came from Missouri, didn't theyT"
He sighed heavily, and she hung her
head. Hawcastle looked toward the
open door Of the room and touched his
son upon the shoulder. When they had
reached the door the earl looked back
and shook his fist at Pike.
"You haven't heard the last of this,
curse you" he said and disappeared
quickly. Lady Creech, who had been
In semi-swooning condition, came
suddenly out of her trance and gazed
sharply about her.
Don't humble your words" she
said sharply and rose to her feet.
With whitening glance at Pike she
turned to Ethel.
''Come, my DEAR" she said. 'This
terrible place is not for you. Let us
CO."
Horace came suddenly to life and
closed his dropping jaw. He stepped
forward and faced the old lady.
MY sister will remain for a time,
Lady Creech," he said. II will look
after her-in the future"
Lady Creech put up her lorgnette
and stared at him and with a naughty
sniff left the room with the. air of a
conqueror. Pike gazed after her whim-
sically.
There goes the last of the en-
presses" he said and looked down at
his feet
Twice Ethel essayed to speak, and
twice she put out her hand in his d.
rection. and both times she failed.
Then, with a choking little sob. she
picked up her dress and fairly ran
from the room. Horace followed her
quickly, and still Pike stood there in
an attitude of incomprehension.
The point he had striven for had
failed. He had shown this girl the
true rottenness of the people she had
tried so hard to ally herself with, and
the knowledge had failed to move her.
His brilliant plan had recoiled upon
his own head and had resulted in more
firmly implanting sense Of duty in
her heart. He saw no way out now.
At first it had been a desire-now it
had become a duty, and he wondered
If he had the right to withhold from
her her patrimony.
It was not until ne saw a dark
figure with a bag in its hand walk
quickly down the steps and out through
the entrance garden not until he had