Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-07-07
CHAPTER XI.
Here. and at once"
REVELATIONS.

1
| N John Steele walked slowly on
the broad stone balcony to-
ward the ballroom. There he
had stopped; then. stepping to the bal
ustrade. he stood looking off. The
night was warm In the sky stars
seemed trying to maintain their places
between dark. floating clouds The
sound Of music was waited from with
| in John Steele listened They were
| beginning once more to dance He
stepped toward the window aud paus-
ed His eyes seemed searching the
thronG They found what they sought
"a slender. erect form. the gown soft.
white. like foam; face animated, joy
Gus. For an instant only, however, he
saw the beautiful features; then as
Jocelyn turned in the dance around
her waist glimpsed a black band tip
ped by slender masculine fingers;
above, cynical countenance. Or was
it all cynical now? A brief glance
showed more than the habitual ex-
preston. a sedulousness. some passion.
ate feeling Lord Ronsdale's look
seemed once more to say he held and
claimed her-that she was his or soon
would be.
The moments passed A distant buzz
replaced melody-the human murmur.
the scraping of strings. From the
forest came a fara way cry, the mel
ancholy sound of some wood creature,
He continued motionless. then sudden.
ly wheeled swiftly.
THAT is you. Mr.. Steele?" A voice.
young. gay, sounded near. Jocelyn
Wray came toward him. From her
shoulders tloated white scarf You.
the garden? Although" she added,
you shouldn't altogether seclude your
self from the madding crowd"
Nor
Did she note the strangeness of the
look she seemed to have surprised on
his face? Her own glance grew on
the instant slightly puzzled and show
ed a passing constraint. Then her
manner became light again. mo. Es-
pecially as You are leaving tomor-
row. believer"
YES" He tried to speak In conven-
tionai tones. but his gaze swerved from
the graceful figure with its dim. white
lines that changed and huttered in the
faint breath of air. stealing so gently
by them and away. MY time is al
most up-the allotted period Of my
brief ElysiumF' he half laughed. 81
have enjoyed myself immensely-much
more than deserve"
Have your She glanced at him.
A flicker OF light touched the strong
face.
1t. seemed difficult for him to speak
Finally he said:
81 have neglected or forgotten the
pleasure" with slight laugh, "Of con-
graduating you. Is that the wOrdY
Or Lord Ronsdale-he. believe. is the
one to be congratulated"
Congratulated Her face had
changed, grown colder. His hand
grasped the stone balustrade. but he
forced Il smile TO his lips. Il cannot |
imagine who has started-why you
speak thus. Lord Ronsdale is an old |
friend Of my uncle and mine. too. but
that is all You are mistaken"
"Mistaken?" The word broke from
him quickly The strained expression
OF his face gave way TO another he
could III conceal.
"Goodbyr' be said slowly. II am
leaving rather early IN the morning.
shall not see you again"
"Goodby-at least until we meet in
London" she ended lightly.
THAT may not be-"
why. you are not thinking OF de
serting your dingy metropOlisY'
He did not answer
Did she realize be was saying good
by to her for all time? She held her
head higher. pressed her lips slightly
closer; then she sought 70 withdraw
her hand. but he, as hardly knowing
what he did or yielding 10 sudden. ir-
resistible temptation. clasped for an in
slant the slim hngers closer They
seemed 70 quiver IN his.