Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-05
THURLEY RUXTON

sand would make it absolutely certain?"
absolutely. However, l might as well
wish for thirty millions. But why"
II wish to let you have it," she interrupted
feverishly, her eyes ablaze with the prospect
of Fiaschi's defeat. "Please don't ask me
why today; but say that you'll take it-and
win!"
Gaillard stared. @You wish me to beat
Fiaschi2"
@More than anything in all the You'll
take it? You'll let me help?"
"But if 1 should lose, after all, be year
or more repaying-"
"You mustn't lose! You sha'n You're
too American! Will you take the money
and come out on top in the end?"
IL will, by Heaven!" he answered, a surge
of color leaping to his face "Thurley-"
"Please, nothing but your consent" she
interrupted. 3I1l go and get the check"
And presently Gaillard left the house, the
bit of paper in his pocket and wonder and
fire in his soul. 1t was strange that even in
his humbled mood he could not understand.
He was certain that spark of her former
love had ignited Thurleys heart.
THURLEY, on her part, as thoroughly
convinced that her action would be in
stantly comprehended, went to Alice radi-
antly excited. @He's gone!" she said. Il
don't suppose you saw him-pale as flour
and frightfully nervous. l have lent him
thirty thousand dollars"
Alice suppressed gasp; but looked at
her, stunned with amazement. She merely
said, @Acton Gaillard?"
Thurley realized abruptly that the shock
to Alice was staggering, though the reason
escaped her intuitions. @Why. yes, l. Do
you very much mind3" she asked her an
xiously. II guess did it before realized
that the money"
"The money was yours, to dispose of as
you please" Alice interrupted, smiling Pc
cu1iarly. @Do you feel like drive to Mrs.
Ashley Duane's? Lady Calthorpe has some
thing important to communicate, and hoped
we'd come this afternoon"
@Why, yes" said Thurley, little afraid
she had overstepped the mark at last and
sacrificed the confidence that Alice had here
tofore reposed in all her words, and actions.
"Have l done something wrong or foolish?"
Certainly not" said Alice, almost reas-
suringly; "but may ask if Acton requested
such a loan?"
@Oh, not in the least!" said Thurley sturdi-
ly. at surprised him as much as-as it
seems to astonish you"
Alice kissed her, to dispel line of worry
on her brow. 3Then perhaps he's as for
tunate as 1, dear child; so go and be dressed,
in hurry"
Thurley went off to her own boudoir,
much puzzled.
Chapter XIV. A Drove of Lions
THE elements essential to logical climax
of the innocent "royal" diversion that
Alice Van Kirk had permitted, with Thurley
as the central figure, were swiftly gathering
when, on Friday afternoon, two widely OPP
posed individuals made their appearance at
the Fifth-ave. mansion.
One of the visitors was Robley Stuyver-
ant; the other was Pelevin. Each had pur-
posely chosen moment of Thurley's alb
sence from the house the better to further
his ends.
Pelevin came in the guise of servitor,
seeking employment as footman. He made
his application in the region below stairs,
where such an incident, though decidedly
unusual, excited no particular interest and
certainly no disquietude. His desires were
communicated to the mistress of the house,
who said there were no vacancies.
Pelevin, as matter of fact, had expected
some such reply. During the few minutes
of his stay, however, he had managed to
learn number of important facts concern
ing the plan of the house, the number of its
servants, their duties, and little of the