The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-27
CHAPTER Nm

( IT Is to be regretted that the nvinr
girl. who possessed an appreciation
/ OK the grotesque, could not have
/ glanced over her shoulder and seen the
/ immediate result Of her detection. In
! her escapc. she had sprung TO one side.
and then. speeding like a sylph. had
! placed the stOne-eurbed. on-canOpied
well between her and him.
/ He precipitated himself head first
? under the iron arch aud across TIE
/ well, Ike circus rider dashinE
| through a hoop. but. alasi his toe
1 touched the stone, and headloIig he
! sprawled. all fOurs, on the sward.
/ Springing erect. he voiced an oath all
/ the more deplorabIe because OF the
| sacred precincts in which il was ut
tered; and now all his alertness was
needed II he was to overtake so feet
a fugitive
she needed but two seconds to es-
cape; one moment was accorded 10 hsr
. by the well curb. the other was denied
her by the small door she essayed to
close. for ere she got II completely shirt
the foot that played traitor to him At
the wei now stood Cardillac friend.
and, although the girl exerted all her
strength, she could not shut him out.
Rudely he pressed the door back upon
her. She turned and made for the
stone stair, but his fOrceful arms were
round her waist before she reached
the second step She turned in their
embrace and struck him again and
again with her small cienched fists
| Intellectual blows. which he took with
the ncnchalance Of a stole.
Dragging her toward the partially
closed door he kicked it shut with HIS
foot, then holding her helpless with
one hand, thrust II the stout bolt-an
act she had hoped TO accomplish alone
with him on the outside. Next he
seized her by the shoulders and pressed
her back against the rough stone wall,
and. dim as was the light in that hall
way. neverth eless he saw the starlfSs
sparkle Of Indignation in those dark
eyes which looked at him unafraid.
and an emotion Of admiration thrilled
him as he remem bered that during this
assault not once had her beautiful red
lips given breath 10 scream for help.
When he spoke it was very quietly;
manner and tone and words impressed
the captive in spite Of herself
Ny girl he said. Ordinarily am
a gentleman, but at this moment I am
a wild beast at bay. I am a wolf
trapped, and. however coWar1iy the
animal may be when at liberty. be-
ware OF the wolf when the death call
catches him. If 1 have hurt you. am
sorry; but believe me. girl, if you win
not do exactly what I tell you. shall
crush you into pulp, or break ycu
Ike a reed Do you credit this from
one who has just proclaimed himself
You are no gentleman. but a low
born vaurien. and because you are
such, I quite believe you VIII treat me
as you propose"
once perceive If your eyes were as
penetrating as they are beautiful
am Victor de Cardiac. Of Gascony, and
VIII be Marquis OF CardliaC in sue
cessiOn TO my father OOng may he
lived which is a remark I would not
make Of the King. And now, my girl,
who are your
Il am Marie DUchamps and VII
never be a marQuise, because could
not bring myself 70 wed the title II
such as YOU wear it,"
You are premature. Time enough 70
refuse when YOU are asked. ma petite
Marie But have no time for amiable
and complimentary conversation"
oh, yes, you have They win never
get down that door till they send 70
Beaugency for a petard. and they have
not thought Of that vet"
You have told me who YOU are What
are you in this convent"
It am waiting maid to Nile. de Mon
"Ah. my luck stiH holds. Where is
she2''
'T shall not tell YOU
His grip frightened on her plump
shoulders. and she WINGED under his
grasp:
Il Inlrk YOU underestimate your dan
ger. Marie DuchamDs."
"Oh. no: 7 am quite convinced that
VI. de Cardiac possesses sufficient
courage to murder a woman. especially
when she is helpless and unarmed. 7
underestimate =ejther my peril nor
your val0T, 10OusieIr."
The COntinuntice OF This Story VIII
be H'SE.sriI IN TOmorrovv'S
Issue of The Times.