The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-08
CHAPTER vI-continued.

and kneel beside H. fumbling with the
lid. heard the clicking OF what seemed
a series Of locks AT last she turned her
head and spoke, Come herer'
rose and went slowly over TO where
she knelt In the shadow.
''Sit down"
seemed involuntarily TO obey those
imperious words. took the seat she
indicated. a carved stool, drawn near
the chest. and saw her Just lifting out
long string OF blue flashing stars 1t
you hang upon a Christmas tree, only a
hundred times more brilliant See how
pretty" she said. and ran II through her
fingers in a little blue stream; then, with
an easy motion OF her wrist she tossed
II around my shoulders. She put her
hand down into the chest and brought
out a long. long string OF pearls-if
pearls had ever been so large-long as
the roseries I used TO string OF oak
balls. and dropped It over my head
Felt the great weight OF 1t upon my neck
Look" she said and taking UP a vel
get case. opened 1t, and showed me, lying
On the crimson satin bed. a necklace like
a wreath Of light. There was no misun-
Outstanding the preciousness OF that.
The shock Of the realization OF what
they were sent the blood into my
face. Her eyes laughed at me with a
CLEAN that seemed devilish She threw
the box into my lap. She took out, rings
and covered my fingers with them.
drops Of blood. red, and brilliant green.
and rainbow colors. couldn't seem 10
speak or move. I thought she must be
mad.
Here" she said, and leaning toward
me. deftly pulled out the pins and took
of my hat Then In both her hands she
lifted something from the chest. and.
before I could stop her. she had pressed
it down upon my head. Then she rose.
Her face was flushed; her lips parted
eagerly on her cleaning teeth. She
caught my hand and pulled me in front
Of a great mirror that hung upon the
wall.
/ saw reflected there a small. shrinking
figure, with a white face. in a white
dress. crowned with a circlet OF gold,
and hung with necklaces that made
brightness in the shadow I heard the
Spanish woman's voice speaking excited
~ close beside my cheek.
There Is not their like in this State,
in this country Some OF those have come
out Of the greatest houses in Spain.
They will make you rich, they will make
you beautiful, They are nothing 20 me;
viii give them TO you. every one. 10
keep forever! Take them-take them all,
And go away! Just for three little days;
until the trial is overt
I shrank from her in mere amazement.
In the first moment l did not take in
what she meant
No. but listen she cried, catching at
me. Il can make 1t easy for you 20 20.
I have inhuence-I will help you'll will
hide you. We will arrange the story"
raised my hands 70 my head. Now I
was choking with anger, with tears.
do you think I would do for these
what / would do for hIm?" 1 lifted
the circlet off my head, but my hands
shook so that it fell and rolled on the
floor between US, and I believe we both
forgot il. DO you suppose I don't care as
much as you do? / would do anything in
the world to clear him Of this charge.
But you don't understandable clear himl
can't hush it and hide it. 1t wouldn' I
make it come right. and I don't believe
he wants me TO. / don't believe that is
what he meant 1 know he would hate
me If I saved him with such a lier'
She grew white, A small sharp shadow
came on each side Of her mouth. Her lips
parted with sort Of gasp. What do
you know about saving or dying; what do
you know about hating or loving? You
would not lie-oh, no. You would save
him-if he were innocent! why. you child.
I would save him the same II he had
killed fifty You are so precious OF your
little SELF. and your little virtuei Virtue?
Pah! I love him-and ,hat Is my virtueT'
Something in the triumphant ring Of her
voice. in the very strength Of her passion
ITSELF for the moment made her noble
Beside her felt myself small, mean, and
'9retched.
1t seemed TO me I vas in a nightmare
and never should awake. I pulled the
necklaces, the bracelets. the rings. of me.
struggling with the tangled chains and
stubborn clasps. shook my hand free OF
the last jewel. and then snatching I'D my
turban, pinned it on with trembling fin
gers. and all the while she stood looking
silently at me. One could not tell what
was behind her face. But when. at last
had taken up the little ball OF my
gloves and stood before her. she spoke
in very soft voice:
Pardon me, have lost my wits But
you are made Of a material-I do not
know it-but It is not flesh and blood
Nevertheless we must not part bad
friends"
She turned to the table and. pushing
aside the jewels as IL they had been COL
ored glass pulled toward her tray. and
took up a glass decanter She poured two
glasses OF wine. and taking one, grace
fully held it out to me- 'Win you not
drink to his acquittal?' she asked.
Forgive me- I said, IF I do not drink
TO IT, I will wish for It with all my heart
That will be the same"
But II is not" she said, advancing
with her bright eyes fixed upon me. ITO
drink-that is a deed which shows the
good will. The rest is but words Come
you have spoken OF great things YOU
would do for him II only you could. Well.
here Is one small thing. Let me see Won
make good your wordsr Her voice was
so sweetly coaxing my hand hesltated
toward the glass Then. as she thought
I was going to take IL. something In the
expectant, intense look OF her caught
me. and dreadful thought flashed into
my mind.
shrank back. NO" I said, It can
noti''
But she was fairly upon me with II.
she was leaning over me Drink, yes,
drink" She thrust it upon me.