The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-07-02

where are they?"
Seager slowly Strengthened his
shaking knees, and stood for q
moment, head bent, hands claw.
ing. eyes darting hither to thith.
er, teeth showing, like a trapped
rat. Then he spoke, huskily
making full confession, incrim.
mating Dirck Arendsen whenever
he could. But Black Dirck look
ed straight before him, and lis.
tened, speechless. The clock
licked on its corner.
When everything was clear to
them. O'Ferral. disregarding all
else, made quick suggestion to
Quaintance.
Steve" said he, without re-
taxing his vigilance, for Seager
was cycling him very closely now,
on the alert for any least oppor-
tunity to spring past him.
Steve" said he sharply, 1.-The
notary's here, with the docu-
ments all drawn out, and-it's
10 to IL. There's a million a
minute to be had for the TAX
ing"
Quaintance nodded. without a
word. He crossed to the door
and locked 1t on the inside, with
drawing the key. Then he sign
ed to the duchesse, and she fol-
lowed him dumbly to the far
thest corner of the long room.
They sat down together there,
and the clock licked on.
= The three men, their backs to
the wall, watched the minutes
pass one by one, and soon, Five
millions Conceive minutes, l
mean" said O'Ferral, warning
ly. But from the corner came
only a faint whispering.
You're free now, dear heart, "
said Quaintance to the duchesse,
looking with a new and wonder
full knowledge into the depths of
her tear-dimmed eyes. We've
strayed very far apart in our
ignorance. But you're free at
last.
Her heart was beating tumult-
uously, her white bosom rose and
fell stormily to the stress with
in. She was doubly. beautiful in
her distress, and he longed above
all things to take her into his
arms. and comfort her there. II
she would only give him the right
to do that
II meant very well by you,"
he went on humbly, land, surely
you will not blame me for the
wrong I unwittingly did. Since
the very first day l saw you ]
have had no peace of mind, and
and l didn't know then who
you were. 1t is for yourself that
| love you, and, If you think as
l do, we'll keep our hands clean,
let my uncle's millions go hang.
Let me stand between you and
further harm. You are alone
here in Paris. There's trouble of
al lsorts ahead. You need some
one to see you through. Why
not take me-now-for what
am worth. ii you will? This no
tary, scoundrel though he is, may
legally marry us. The papers
are all prepared, in my rightful
name. All I ask till you're will
ing to give me more is the priv
lege of protecting you. Say some
thing. Dagmar, but-For Gods
sake, don't say mol"
She had moved a little apart
from him, timidly. What he ask
ed of her seemed so absolutely
impossible then-and under such
circumstances. But his eyes still
held hers insistently, and what
she saw in them she had nc
strength to withstand.
Her eyelids dropped to hide
the sign Of surrender. The way
had been long and weary, but
here at last was the haven which
she had missed. What the world
would say mattered nothing
while they two.
You know-all?" she asked
hurrfedly., ''I am Duchesse DIES
Reeves in name only, and"-she
glanced very wistfully up at him
a pauper in my OWL
right"
II a mnot altogether a pau
per-" he answered gladly, "but
had you been a princess, sweet
heart, ! might not have been SO
bold. And-you'll agree? I'm
after twelve"
ANY time after twelve" she
assented in a low whisper, and
he gathered her into his strong
arms, kissed her unkissed lips,
clasped her close to him, re-
CARELESS of those looking on.
The clock in the corner chimed
IL, and Notre Dame echoed the
hour of midnight. She looked up
at him again, with little fright
ened smile. A stifled groan
came from the other end of the
room.
Were al lready now" Quaint
ance called across. "Tell that
lawyer rascal to step forward and
marry u.s."
Maitre Georges stepped for
ward submissively, and they two
faced him, the duchesse still in
her robe of state, like some beau
tiful, slender lily, the lamplight
warm on her ivory arms and
Quaintance, tall and
straight, in suit of serge. at her
side, his thin, sun-tanned face q
fit foil to her shapely fairness.
Behind stood Fanchette, with
hands, her worn features
And, from opposite,
Fireworks. Central News, 916
Pacific av. $50