New-York tribune., 1910-01-30
CHAPTER Ill.
The Bloodstained Portrait

II the vestibule | hung around waiting till
Anne and Mrs. Dennis Sutherland would
reappear from the cloakroom.
1t was close on the time when | was due at
Whitehall Gardens; but | must have a parting
word with Anne, even at the risk OF being late
for the appointment with my chief.
Jim and Mary passed through and paused to
say goodnight
It's all right, Maurice:" Mary whispered
And you're coming to US tomorrow"
" Yes; TO say goodby if have to start on
Monday"
Just about time you were on the warpath
again, my boy" said Jim buff1y. "Idleness is
demoralizing specially in London"
Now this was scarcely fair, considering that
it was little more than month since returned
from South Africa, where had been to observe
and report on the conditions Of labor in the
mines; nor had been by any means idle dur
ing those weeks of comparative leisure. But
knew, of course, that this an Oblique refer
ence TO my affair with Anne; though why Jim
should dlsapproVe OF II 50 strongly passed my
comprehension. If Anne chose to keep me on
tenterhoOkS-well that was my affair, not his
Still, ! wasn't going to quarrel with Jim over
his opinion, as | should have quarTeled with
any other man.
Anne joined me directly, and we had two
precious minutes together under the pOrtlco.
Mrs. Sutherlands carriage had not yet come
into the courtyard, and she herself was chatting
with folks she knew. There were plenty of peo-
pie about, coming and going; but Anne and l
paced along out OF the crowd ana paused III the
shadow Of one OF the pillars.
She looked ethereal, ghostlike, in her long
white cloak, with a tilmy hood thing drawn
loosely over her shining hair. | thought her
paler than usual though that might have been
the effect Of the electric lights overhead, and
her face was wistful, but very fair and sweet
and innocent. One could scarcely believe 1t to
be the same face that few minutes before had
been animated by audacious mischief and CO.
quetry. Truly her moods were many and they
changed with every fieeting moment
I've behaved abominably to you all the
evening" she whispered TREMENDOUSLY. And
yet you'v forgiven mel"
There's nothing TO forgive. The Queen can
would have jeered at me if he could have heard !!
Anne | love you. ! think you must know
that by this time dear"
Yes, | know, and-and / glad-Mau-
rice, though | don't deserve that you should
love me- I've teased you shamefully! |
don't know what possessed mel"
i ! could only have kissed those faltering
lipsl But dared not. We were within range
OF too many curious eyes. Still, held her hand
in mine and our eyes met. In that brief mo
ment We saw each into the others soul and
saw love there, the true love passionate and
pure which, once born, lasts forever, through
| life and death and all eternity.
She was the first TO speak, breaking silence
| that could have lasted only fraction of time /,
| but there are seconds in which one experiences
an nfnitude Of 10Y or sorrow
And you are going away 50 soonl But we
| shall meet tomorrow ma
Yes, wei have one day, at least. There IS
50 much 10 say" Then in fash remem-
bcred the old man and Cassavetti, the mystery
| that enshrouded them and her. " may not be
able 10 come early, darling, ! continued hur-
riedlv Il have 10 see that old man IN the
morning. He says he knows you, that you are
in danger; could not make out %hat %h time ne
10 see him really That was why dared not tell
YOU the whole story just nov
"Cassavettil" she echoed and saw her eyes
d;1ate and darken. Who is he-what Is hef
/ never saw him before; but he came up and
talked 20 Mr. Cayley and asked TO be introduced
10 me and-and / was 50 vexed with you,
Maurice, that | began to fiirt with him. and
then-oh, | don't knOw-he IS SO strange-he
perplexes frghtens, me
!And yet You gave him,a fiower!" said re
proachfully.
couldn't help myself. ] just had to give him
one,-that one,-and when looked at him
Maurice. what does a red geranium meanf
Has it"
INC nEN-NrIC CITTHE RI AND'S car