Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-31

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You'd the House of Livy With leisurely steps
Griscom followed, and moment later caught
sight of her again threading her way among the
scattered relics of statues and columns and
early fragments. A little farther on he again
lost sight of her, and knew instnctivey that
she had reached the steps of the Stadium and
going down.
With strongly beating heart he followed
crossed the open space, passed round to the
head of the sunken amphtheater, and de-
scended. The portico was plunged in darkest
shadows and as he entered it he the white
figure standing motlonless at the far end where
a sharply cut band of moonlight blazed in at an
angle AS he drew near the girl moved forward
to meet him. and Griscom saw that her
were raised and her head thrown back.
He stepped forward quickly, and as he did SO
she spoke
q have been waiting for you' she said in a
muffled voice. Il knew you would come
why did you go away! Why did you not
wait back up there above?" he found himself
asking in a strange confusion of mind. She did
not answer.
Come" said Griscom gently Come
Flavial'
His heart was beating wildly, his brain con-
fused. Scarcely knowing what he did, he
stepped forward The girl looked up at him.
her eyes half closed, her head thrown slightly
back her lips smiling.
The shadows closed in and enveloped them
Griscom heard her sudden gasp for breath
and then her arms were about his neck and her
ing her close while his lips poured out torrent
of wild and incoherent words
WITH her lips on his and her heart beating
w violently against his bosom Grscom was
conscious of two hands dropped swiftly on MS
shoulders. Then violent thrust sent him reel
ing backward, and for the first time he came to
realization of what had occurred. The girl had
stepped back and was facing him, her arms
held rgidly at her side, her face like marble and
her breath kissing through her lips.
"Mr. Griscom'
He stared at her in silence and with sort of
horror. She had stepped back into the bright
moonlight, and he saw that her hands were
cenched
How dared you!" she cried in low, chok-
ing voice.
Griscom did not answer
BEAST" said the girl slowly and quietly.
Coward! All! how did you dare!''
She turned and began to walk toward the
center of the arena. In the middle she paused
and looked about her as though bewildered
Griscom walked slowly toward her.
Don't come near me! What-what-
where are wef What is this place? How did
you get me here?"
Suddenly she turned and began to walk rap
idly toward the far end of the Stadium. Girls
com followed. She assembled the steps and at
the top stood for moment looking about in
perPlexity.
her foot. "Oh you--you- What can call
your" She choked back sob. What has
happened? How did we get to this place."
"You walked here" said Griscom, land |
followed. Why did you not wait for me where
l left you, back there on the PATH"
She stared at him wildly. What are YOU
talking about Why should / come here?''
Perhaps" answered Griscom slowly, to
keep tryst.'
IA tryst? With whom? All, mol" her voice
broke. Don't try to make it any worse
She stamped her foot. You saw that was
not myself-you saw that-all of this she
waved her hand, had acted queery on my
mind-and the smell of the orange blossoms
She glanced down, then snatched the spray of
flowers from her belt and threw it passionately
upon the ground. You took advantage
Il took nothing" said Griscom somberly,
which was not my own"
Your owni Oh. beast-beastl Why am
talking to you? What did you do, hypnotize
me, perhaps? l have heard of such tricks
How does one get out of this placer?
Griscom pointed toward the eastern extrem-
ity of the Domus Tiberius. That is the way
out" said he
She turned and began to walk rapidly in that
direction AT the end of few steps she made
a furious backward gesture with her hand
Keep behind me, if you please! l don't want
to see you nor hear youi l don't know what
you have done. nor how, nor why"
SHE hurried on as though fleeing from some