Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20
Septinc1s
By VII LIAM J.LOCKE
Copyright. 1908. by the Phillips Publish
ing Company
Copyright, 1909. by John Lane Company
CHAPTER VII.-Continued.

I'm SO sorry you have headache.
said Septimus. sympathetically. why
don't you go to bed?'
II hate bed. l can't sleep. she replied.
with an impatient shake of the body.
You mustn't mind me. I'm sorry m
SO rotten-ah! well, then-such an unin-
spring companion. if you like" she add
ed, seeing that the word had Jared on
him. Then she rose Il suppose l bore
you. I had better go. as you suggest, and
get out of the way"
He Intercepted her petulant march to
the door.
Il wish you'd tell me what's the mat
ter. 1t isn't only headache
Its hell and the devil and all his
angels said Emmy, land I'd like to
murder somebody
"You can murder me. il it would do
you any good. said Septimus.
Il believe you'd let me- she said. yield
ing. You're a good sort She turned
with a short laugh. her novel held in
both hands behind her back. one finger
/ holding the place. A letter dropped from
it. Septimus picked 1t up and handed 1T
to her. 1t bore an Italian stamp and the
Naples postmark
Yes. That's from him., she said. re-
sentfully. I've not had letter for a
| week, and now he writes to say he has
| gone to Naples on account of his health.
You had better let me go, my good Septi-
mus; if I stay here much longer I'll be
talking slush and batter. I've got things
on my nerves"
why don't you talk to Zora?" he sug
gested. ''She is SO wonderful
"She's the last person in the world that
must know anything. Do you under
| stand? The very last
| Pm afraid l don't understand" he re-
piled. ruefully.
"She doesn't know anything about Nor
daunt Prince. She must never know.
Neither must mother. They don't often
talk much about the family: but they're
awfully proud of it. Mothers people date
| from before Noah, and they look down on
the Oldrieves because they sprang up like
| mushrooms just after the flood. Princes
real name is HuZzle, and his father kept
a boot shop. I don't care hang, be-
cause he's gentleman. but they would"
But yet you're going to marry him.
They must know sooner or later. They
ought to know"
Time enough when I'm married. Then
nothing can be done and nothing can be
| said"
Have you ever thought whether 1t
wouldn't be well to give him up?" said
Septimus. in his hesitating way.
Il can't. cant!'' she cried. Then she
burst into tears. and, afraid lest Fora
should surprise her, left the room with
out another word.
On such occasions the most experienced
man is helpless. He shrugs his Shout
ders. says ''Whew!' and lights q ciga
rette. Septimus. with an infants knowl-
edge Of the ways of young women, felt
terribly distressed by the tragedy Of her
tears. Something must be done to stop
them. He might start at once for Naples.
and. by the help OF strong gendarmes,
whom he might suborn, bring back Nor
daunt Prince presently to London. Then
he remembered his overdrawn banking
account. and sighfully gave up the idea.
If only he were not bound to secrecy
tive honor fol pade. What could he do?
AS the fire was getting low he mechan-
ically put on lump of coal with the
pincers. When Fora returned with the
atlas she found him rubbing them through
his hair and staring at vacancy.
IF do go round the world" said Fora,
a little while later, when they had set
tied on which side OF South America VAL
paraiso was situated-and how many nice
and clever people could tell you positive
ly. offhand?-"if 1 go round the world
you and Emmy will have to come. too. 1t
would do her good. She has not been
looking well lately"
ut would be the very thing for her."
said he.
"And for you. too. Septimus.' she re-
marked, with quizzical glance and
smile.
Its always good for me to be where
II was thinking Of Emmy and not of
myself" she laughed. IF you could take
care of her it would be an excellent thing
for you
luggage" said Septimus. miles away
from Zora's meaning. Would you?"
She laughed again. I'm different. /
should really have to look after the two
of you. But you could pretend to be TAX
ing care of Emmy.
II would do anything that gave you
pleasure"
would Iyou?" she asked.
They Wgre sitting by the table-the at
las between them. She moved her hand
and touched his. The light of the lamp
shone through her hair. turning it to lum-
nous gold. Her arm was bare to the
elbow. and the warm fragrance of her
nearness overspread him. The touch
thrilled him to the depths and he flushed
to his outstanding Struwel Peter hair. He
tried to say something-he knew not
what: but his throat was smitten with
sudden dryness 1t seemed to him that
he had sat there. for the best part of an
hour. tongue-tied. looking stupidity at the
confluence of the blue veins on her arm,
longing to tell her that his senses swan
with the temptation of her touch and the
rise and fall of her bosom. through the
great love he had for her, and yet terror
stricken lest she might discover his Sc
cret. and punish his audacity according
to the summary methods of Juno, Diana
and other offended goddesses whom NOR
tails dared to love. 1t could only have
been a few seconds, for he heard her
voice in his ears, at first faint and then
gathering distinctness, continuing in al