New-York tribune., 1909-12-19

behind the door She was not fully alive yet 20
the real menace of the gestculatng mob surglng N
the street beneath and her thoughts riot IN the
newly discovered paradise OF beng loved and IN love
For Alec has asked questions. listened TO no eN-
plantations. When he entered the room, he found
her half turned from the window. conscious that he
was near though trying to persuade her throbbing
heart that Felix would not depart from implied
promise by sending him to her without warning
She strove to utter words of greeting Before
she could speak, Alec's arms were round her and
he was kissing her lips her forehead her hair. She
saw him through a mist. Her first HeetIng I'M
preston was that he had become older, sterner,
more commanding. kingShIp had set its seal on
HIM. \ short month of power had stamped lines on
his face that would vanish. But that sense Of
imperiousness quickly dIspeled by the enchant-
rnent Of her presence.
Somehow almost without spoken word he brought
the thrilling conviction that he hungerIng for
her The light in his eyes the overwhelming ardOr OF
his embrace the magnetic force that leaped the m
tervenIng space while yet they we're separated by
half the length Of the room til csc things bewIl-
dled under them ere her BRAIN could summon 20 ard
the feeblest of reraOnstranceS.
She abandoned the nebulous idea Of protest when
she found that she IN turn clngng % him, 81 ing
kiss for kiss with derious intensity that refused %
be denied Nevertheless the sheer JOY Of her emo
tIOns frightened her, and she was endeavorIng 70
subdue its too ardent expression when Beaumanoir
opened the door, 70 close It again hurrledly She
recovered her faculties slowly She was still CULVER
ing under the stress Of that moment Of ineffable de
light and her brown eyes sparkIed with the glow OF
soul FIRE and she was brought back TO earth only
by the knowledge that Felix, standing at his post
near window was on the verge Of collapse.
TIE sideboard contained a flask Of brandy, which
Pauline had insisted on slowing IN dressing bag
N case Of illness. Joan, glad Of the pretext TO do
some commonplace thing thankful for the mere ut
terance Of commonplace words, called for help.
Please remove the table for instant she
cried. FeIiE IS ILL., and want % get at some cOgnac
that IS in the cellarette.
III He was lively enough in the street minute
ago, singing like thrush said Alec cheerily,
though he did not fail to pull the table clear of the
cupboard What IS it, my IIumming Bee" he
demanded. turning 20 POluski. Is it a surfeit Of
excitement. or late hours. what b"
' am yielding to the unusual, my King" cracked
the Poles voice thnly. During three whole days
have done naught but think, and that would incom-
mode an elephant, leave alone a rat like me-"
Rat. indeed When are all out Of this trap
Felix. you must tell me what caused your alarming
exercise Of brain power. Already you have bothered
me 10 guess how you fathOmed the pretty scheme
you are now upSettng.
There. dear Felix, drink that and you will soon
feel strong again, put in Joan.
iia, dear Felix am i / expected to be called
anything but that after breaking my word dis
gracefully"
You forgiven said she with tender smile
at Alec
Beaumanoir. discreetly peeping through the win
DO" over Polusttl shoulder, something that per
picked him.
say, Alec 30 he exclaimed CO. thought you told
me that StaInPoff man Bosko a thoroughly re-
liable sort Of chap.
have always found him So
Well Just at present he looks Jolly like a desertcr
He IS making speech to the mob and tearing off his
uniform obhgato. The other Joker is scared to
death
Bosko making a speech Why, he never says
anything but ON, TIOHSiciV Nom monsieur
which IS all the French he knows. Well this is a day
of wonders. anyhow"
Nt"LEC Nc the precautions he had insisted on
mt. A