The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-11-04

She deliberately drcD q HHe across The
center OF the table.
precepts. Would you believe me if l
told you that at the age of three and
thirty l am still heart whole?"
She parted, Il trust you will not
spoil that excellent record by making
love to me- She reached for the
matches, touched off one, watched it
burn for moment, extinguished it
and then deliberately drew a line
across the center of the tablecloth.
Now, what might that representa-
he asked curiously.
"a line. Mr. Hillard The moment
you cross that line that moment you
leave this house. On guardW
Come, that is not brave. You can
retreat till your shoulders touch the
mat, but | must stand this side Of the
line, unable to reach you. And you
have the advantage of the mask be-
sides. You are not a fair fencer"
The odds should be in my favor. l
am woman. My wrist is not so
strong as yours
physically, of course, l may pass
the line, to reach the salt, for instance.
viii that be against the rules? You
have put temptation in my path"
Bid Satan get behind thee"
Il wish | knew the color of your
Eyes. Behind those holes | see nothing
| but points of fire, no color"
They are blue. But supposing l
wear this mask because my face is
lreadfully scarred?'
VANITY, yes; but scars. never. At
| least never so deep as you yourself can
make. You wear that mask but out
| of mercy to me"
Once she rose and approached the
window, slyly raising the mask and
breathing deeply OF the cold air which
rushed in through the creyices. When
she turned she found that he, too, had
risen. He was looking at the stems,
one Of which he held in his hand.
| Moreover, he returned and set the stein
down beside his plate.
Tell me, why do you do that?"
| There was an anxious note in her
voice
Il have an idea. But let US proceed
with the dinner. This salad
Il am more interested in the idea"
She pushed aside the salad and took
Il sip of the ruby burgundy. Had he
discovered something?
May | smoker" he asked.
"By all means"
He lighted a cigarette and put the
| case near the line.
DO You enjoy a cigarette"
Sometimes" she answered But
the idea''-
will you not have one:" He moved
the case still nearer to the line.
She reached Out a firm round white
| arm.
"One moment" he said. Let us un-
| derstand each other thoroughly"
What 40 you mean" her arm pois-
ed in midair
'To touch a cigarette you must cross
the line TO this side"
She withdrew her arm slowly.
| Il shall not smoke. II | crossed the
line l should establish a dangerous
precedent. And l must have that idea"
THE mirror over the piano confused
me. | have seen it somewh here before
Then there is that old copy of Botti
| celli The frame Is familiar, but
could not place it. This stein, how
ever" He laughed. The laughter was
| hOViSh even triumDhant
well. that stein" She was now
leaning across the table, her fingers
| tense on the cloth.
IL bought that stein two seasons
ago. This is the Sandfords' place, and
you are the yelled lady who has been
riding Mrs Sandford's favorite hunter
in the park"
They stood up simultaneously. In a
matter of this sort he was by far the
quicker. In an instant he had caught
| her by the wrist. at the same time
drawing her irresistibly round the ia
bic toward him.
Il must see your face. | shall never
be at peace if do not"
Certainly you will never know any
peace if you do. BE careful"
His free hand stole toward the
strings of her mask. She moved not.
His face was very close to hers now.
II only she would struggled He re-
leased her wrist.
NO; l haven't the courage. If ! take