Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-08-12
IIAPTER II.

hal stopped; then. stepping to the bal
ustgaJ. he stood looking off. The
lf2lt Was warm II the sky stars
;criueG T.. Ing I, maintain their places
between dark. roatinG clouds. The |
sound of music WAS waited from with |
in. John steele listened. They were |
L-.iuu,a- or.c bore 20 dance lie |
s'rp,.d toward the window aud paus- !
81 His eyes seemed searching the
ttrou-. They found VIVA; they sought
- slender, erect form. the gown soft.
wL.It. liz foam: a face animated, joy
o.s. For an instant only. however. he
ss.w the beautiful features; then as
.occlyn turned in the dance around
her waist @limpScd black band tip
ped by slender masculine fingers;
above. Il cynical countenance. Or was
1t all cynical now? A brief glance
showed more than the habitual ex
preston, n sedulousness, some passion
ate feeling. Lord Ronsdalc's look
seemed once more TO say he held and
claimed her-ttat 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 faraway 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 f1oated a white scarf. You
have come out for the freshness Of
the garden? Although" she added,
you shouldn't altogether seclude your.
self from the madding crowd"
"No?"
Did she note the strangeness CT 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-
peeiaHy as You are leaving tomOr-
row, believer"
"Yes." He tried to speak in conven-
tional tones. but his gaze swerved from
the graceful figure with its dim, white
lines that changed and fluttered 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 Elysiumr' lie half laughed. II
have enjoyed myself immensely-much
more than l deserve"
"Have you?" She glanced at him.
A iii, ker of light touched the strong
face
1t seemed difficult for him to speak.
Finally he said:
Il have neglected or forgotten the
Pleasure" with a slight laugh. "of con-
graduating you. Is that the word?
Or Lord Konsdale-he, l believe. is the
one to he congratulated"
Congratulated" Her face had
changed. grown colder. His hand
grasped the stone balustrade. but he
forced 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 Ill conceal
''Goodby!" he said slowly. Il 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-
sorting your dingy metropolis?"
He did not answer.
Did she realize he was saying good
by to her for all time? She held her
head higher. pressed her lips slightly
closer; then she sought to withdraw
her hand. but he. as hardly knowing
what he did or yielding to sudden, IT.
resistible temptation, clasped for an in
slant the slim fingers closer They
seemed to CULVER in his.
John Steele breathed deeply. He
continued to regard her. SO fair. so
beautiful. An instant and he bent. A
breath or his lips swept the delicate
II.
Her hand swung back against the cold
stone. On her breast something bright.
an ornament. f1uttered. became still.
Behind bird chirped. Her glance
turned toward the ballroom.
"I"-
Other voices. loud. merry, coming
from one of the open French windows
interrupted.
'Jocelyn!" they called to her. Faces
looked out "Jocelynw
Yes" She was walking rapidly
from him now. a laugh. a little forced,
on her lips.
John Steele moved slowly down the
stone steps leading to the garden be-
low. He could so. and she would
never know she had honored by her
friendship. had sheltered beneath her
roof. one who AS he walked down
the dimly lighted path somebody.
man, standing under the trees ut one
side, ut that moment touched his arm.
Il should like to speak with you,
sir" said a voice. and, turning with a
quick jerk, Steele saw the familiar
features Of Gillett the former police
agent. behind him other men.
What do you want:"
The Scotland Yard man coughed sig
nificantly. ''Out here is nice, quiet
place for a. word or So" he said in his
blandest manner. "And If you will be
So good
John Steele's reply was as emphatic
as it was sudden. A laugh burst from
his throat With the Quickness of
thought he launched himself forward.
In corridor on the second floor of
Strathorn House the voice of Lord
Ronsdale was heard. 1t was followed
by that Of Jocelyn Wray.
Never fear! They'll get the fellow
yet" my lord had said
Jocelyn answered mechanically.