Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-30

blinded eyes of Europe seen! What could
she do to render Rodoslavs immunity COM
plete? That she put herself first, typifed
the change that had come over her attitude
since yesterday. From the role of conqueror
she had passed to that of protector. She
had done battle for him, she had made sacri-
fees for his sake! He had become that pos
session so absorbing to woman, being she
must defend!
RodoSlav was all unconscious OF the trans
forrlsation. He sat with his eyes on the
cha1aging pageant of shore and sea, his
thoughts a mystery. Not till they were over
the border did they find word apart. After
luncheon at high perched inn, he followed
her out into a tiled loggia where she stood
with her preoccupied gaze upon the Mediter
ranean frothing against the rocks below.
u am very grateful" he said.
Ann turned with gesture of anxiety. Il
did all l could; but" She sighed her
doubt of its efficacy.
Il am very grateful, he repeated. @What-
ever comes, should like you to feel that
"Whatever comes" She missed the high
confidence of his old manner. "You are not
discouraged"
mo; but realize that you have done all
you could, or can. must stand alone hence
FORTH
She experienced an illogical qualm of dis
appointment Had her rebuff in the winter
garden done this? Was their alliance really
at an end? Did she wish it to end thus?
Nothing in her life had brought the zest of
this game of hoodwinking Europe. What
could the future bring her now to fill its
place?
"If the make believe will still help, l
won't refuse to 60 on with it," she said. Il
don't think Saccarello is past convincing.
had another talk with him last night, and
kept my wits about me. By myself, was
no longer afraid"
@He mentioned it., said Rodoslav.
Ann caught her breath. Was it possible
the Italian could have gone into details?
@He mentioned it! Do you mean while you
walked together this morning?"
Eyes. He told me l had picked out
clever woman to fall in love with"
~Was that ALP"
mo" His eyes were on the sea, not her.
"What else?" she pressed, her voice un-
steady
ale added that too was more clever than
he supposed me-"
"How so?"
"In preserving your respect so long"
AIMS eyes flashed. @You have preserved
it by telling me the TRUTH" she rejoined.
@But you could not say that to him."
"No," he assented, II could not say that.
LII ldSI, L Soului1 IiHliS. 4ou JOAlCo
us then"
@Was it that which made you tell me he
was still unconvinced?"
ayes. He sees that you are too intelligent
to be fooled about my past, and, on the other
hand, he isn't sure that you are sufficiently
in love with me to overlook it. His only
choice is to believe that you mean to marry
me for my position and perhaps my future"
@If he believes mean to marry you, that's
enough" said Ann, distinguishing the vital
point. @If we can make people think that
until you are ready to act, they may say
what they like of my motives afterward.
Will it matter what anybody thinks after
you leave Venice?"
@Matter! With revolution in Greece
waiting only a torch to fire it! With Turkey
and Bulgaria already at each others throat!
With the Servians everywhere on tiptoe for
a crisis! Alas! 1t will matter! From the
hour you and part company shall run the
risk of the old espionage. They will say,
those guardians of mine, See! He is off
with his romance! He is at politics again!
The firebrand is abroad! Look Quit"
AIMS blood tingled at his words. She,
Ann Milburn, had meant respite from this
surveillance. While these enemies thought
him mere idler at her side, he had forged