Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-14
ELEANOR NJ. INGRAM
Copyright 1909. the Bobbs Merrill COMPANY

solved upon since the first He almost
could be content.
ITS growing dark broke in Des-
mond's voice after a time. I'm think
soon I'd give something to take you
cat up the bluff
Allard reused himself
Not possible You should have gone
with the rest instead OF being here now"
He held out his hot hand for the others
clasp. Goodbye, Desmond. Without
at ALL
Its not so. Many a time this game
has been tried and has fallen through
half way: and it's not thousands are made
at it. You did it, with the gentleman's
brain and knowledge and wit. Not that
1t matters now
Not very much. You. are forgetting
my revolver
mo. am not forgetting. You will not
need it." He turned away to add the last
one to the pile of weapons In the opposite
corner.
Allard rose on his arm, his eyes flash
ing wide and keen.
You have no idea what I need, Des-
mond. Give me that revolver"
You would shoot no one, and 1t would
be of no use"
Desmond, we have been friends; give
me that"
81 can't he answered, sullenly.
'Why not?''
Because 1 know for what you want it,
SIR
>Alard flung back his head and con-
fronted the defiant face opposite with the
fevered anger of his own.
And If SO. is it your affair? Have
you. you who have led your life. grown
sentimental? You, who know from where
L come and to where am going-you will
interfere? You are wasting our time;
give me my revolver and 60"
hor Ia q ,sevfS
sending an anxious glance through the
doorway.
'one gets out of prison." he said, OBJ
stfnately, las I've tried myself. But that
You are over young for that, SIR
you have been paid for helping me-
Allard retorted, his voice savage with
pain. mot for teaching me philosophy. Go
take your liberty, II you can, and leave
me mine. There is one door out for me
and one key. trusted you; might have
kept the thing with me if had imagined
this"
Desmond flushed. but turned coolly.
"I'll go. It's time. II was paid for
paid for this you are asking
Desmond, Desmond, you leave me so.'I
He turned on the threshold, q square,
obstinate figure against the violet twi-
light.
I'D never do it, he said, quite gently
IF didn't know you'd thank me some
day
Desmond"
Goodbye, sir
"DeSmond-'
The doorway was empty; the evening
serenata of a robin flied the hush AL
lard's head sank On his arm in the dark
est moment of the last somber months.
But presently he looked I'D again. Still
dressed as when the accident had happen
ed few hours before. he possessed a
tiny box of cartridges. and only the
width Of the room separated him from his
desire. He impulsively tossed aside the
blanket and Slipped to the floor.
The fall drew a gasp Of pain. All be-
fore faded to insignifcance beside the an
guish of movement. 1t was not the ankle
only; the injury had gone farther than
that. Colorless. catching his breath with
difficulty, Allard dragged himself inch by
inch toward the goal.
Desmond was almost forgotten when
the first shot on the mountain side rang
out. Startled from the mists OF suffering,
Allard paused an instant. Then ass q
cliffs he toiled on with redoubled haste.
They would come next for him.
1t had a pearl and silver handle that
revolver. He had treasured 1t because It
too frequently duplicated to betray his
identity. Now the pearl shone a glisten-
ing spot In the surrounding grayness.
reckoning, tantalizing. 1t was so far
ACTOSS tne TOOl0, SO very IdT.
Shots again! He struggled yet more
desperately, and the resulting pang
brought waves of faintness above his
head. If he could only rest, so.
Some one was shouting. half exultantly,
half fearfully. and other voices replied in
equal excitement Some one was killed,
they were saying, had fallen from the
cliff. Desmond perhaps? Allard reused
himself fiercely and saw with gratitude
how near the coveted object lay A lit
tie farther, only little; but it cost.
The rush and patter of feet grew louder
the steady approach Of the hunters. 1t
hardly mattered, for the cool white ham
die was in the grasp of his outstretched
hand. He had won. won doubly. He had
accomplished his task and he held the key
to the door. Roberts face leaned toward
him, warm with relief and praise: Theo-
dora was in the room. bringing fragrance
of sandalwood and rose
Once more he drove back the mists and
dragged the revolver to him. smiling, but
with knit brows.
Go be continued tomorrow