Evening star., 1911-01-15
SUNDAY MAGAZINE
Thurley Ruxton
Continued from page 9

what confused remembrance of the incidents
as they happened. Il must have struck him,
or something; for he nearly fell. Then |
begged Robley Stuyverant to take me
away" She halted there, with new flush
of color creeping to her cheeks at the men,
ory of seeing Gaillard in the door.
Alice tapped the floor with small i'm, !,
She answered presently. Il need the Count
SO badly, just at this time. Mind you,
Deary, l shouldn't care how severely you
punish him, or humiliate him later, if only
we could manage to keep him on for time,
in spite of what he has done"
Thurley stared at her in honest amaze
ment. "You wish me to see him, endure
him. after this2"
II know exactly how you feel, my dear,
and l admire you for it., Alice answered;
"but our position is peculiar. 1t may last
brief time only, this triumph. For many
reasons did very much desire to treat the
Count rather we'll, as well as the Others, at
least, and now I'm annoyed more than
can tell The miserable knew it felt
he was quite that sort. Thurley, isn't it
finer art, more qualification in the end, to let
him return for his need of deliberate retribu-
ton? Couldn't you skewer him far more
satisfactorily by calm intent than by mere
impulsive resentment"
"Oh, I've thought of that" Thurley con-
fessed in her usual candor resuming her seat
little YEARLY. "I've thought of so many
things tonight. You see, he isn't all"
IN her agitation Alice had momentarily for
gotten Thurley's statement that two
events; had marred the pleasure, of the even
thing more. Not so bad as this, trust?"
Thurley was once again all courage and
honesty. I'm not SO sure. 1t may be
worse. You remember meeting Mr.. Gail
lard3" Alice nodded, and she continued.
He knew me in New Haven. He was even
my At least thought he intended He
threw me over, in plain English, and now
now he wants to make love to me again"
Alice stared, all but speechless. Thur
ley! And you-like him still2"
Thurley rose again, superbly active. II
hate him! To think he'd come like this
now-and dare! Oh, it does seem as if I've
got right to make him suffer!"
Alice rose too. "This is certainly grave.
He mentioned your present position, asked
questions, / presume? He isn't positively
the cad to take advantage of his knowl-
edge!",
relapsing into her chair. "He limited at
things, and of course asked questions and
made insinuations. He insisted on coming
to see me, going back to our old relationship,
and said he'd make his treaty with you"
"And your" said Alice. "You we're care
full, of course, noncommittal2 You didn't
leave him offended or vengeful3"
Thurley's eyes flashed warringly. "No!
l almost determined to do everything in my
power to lead him on and then later even
up the score; but he made me SO angry |
don't know whether l could really do it or
not. I'd probably despise myself. I'd rather
not try. l don't know what to do"
Alice smiled in sheer relief. She was sud-
denly sure of the future.
Don't try to decide anything tonight,
my dear, and don't be uneasy, or angered, or
anything but amused-at least for the pres
ent. It's time we retired. Don't forget,
dear Princess, that you are certain to be the
target for all of Cupid's arrows, the bitter
with the sweet. 1t is sometimes possible to
fight fire only with fire, and some kinds of
love with-art." She kissed the tired girl
affectionately and smiled reassuringly.
but" said Thurley, when he comes to
see you-what will you do?"
Nothing you will refuse to ratify: moth
ing the situation does not justify, either
with him or Fiaschi. But hope, dear child,
we're the equal of two selfish men. Will you
leave it all to me?"
"My fairy pOdmOtherI" said Thurlev