Evening star., 1911-01-22

it not been for constant intercessions in their
behalf on the part of Alice, these less ag-
gressive suitors, with half dozen more of
similar caliber, must have suffered all but
absolute annihilation.
Stuyverant, occupying position unique
among them all, yet unaware OF the sheer
relief with which Thurley turned to him as
often as the game would permit, continued
to be sorely puzzled by it all, while plunging
more and more helplessly in love with the
girl to whom he felt he had been guided by
the Fates.
There were times when it seemed impos-
sible to acquit her of utter heartlessness,
times when he felt convinced that she had
come to America, not to make an alliance,
but merely to practise arts grown weary IN
conquest at the court of Hertzegotha. And
if it should prove that she was merely anus
ing herself with them all, himself included,
he could not see how beauty, graciousness,
impulsive generosity, or any other of her
many bewitching qualities, could sufficiently
excuse her conduct. Nevertheless, he con-
fessed to himself that he had rather have
known her even thus than never to have met
her at all.
MEANTIME, independently of Thur
AvA 1ey's actions or wishes in the matter,
Fiaschi and Gaillard were arming for bitter
struggle that bore on events not yet even
shadowed in the day. Each, having recog-
nized in the other an insistent and tenacious
rival for Thurley's final favor, had deter
mined to exercise any possible advantage
for his opponents overthrow.
The difference between the Anglo-Saxon
and the Latin temperament was herein nicely
illustrated. They were business associates,
working together for common end that
should benefit them both. This to Gaillard
was entirely apart from their sentimental
battle, and sacred to business ethics and
honor. To Fiaschi it was one more element
for possible crushing of the enemy. Gail
lard would have felt entire justification in
attacking the Count from moral or physi-
cal viewpoint, and leaving him with either
crippled body or a shattered reputation,
while still maintaining the strictest scruples
in their deal, which centered in the Street.
The Spanish Italian, on the other hand, was
already deliberately planning his rivals
financial ruin, through treachery to their
business agreement. He would gladly have
stripped Acton Gaillard of name, honor,
funds, or physical prowess,. and to some
such end he was bending all his forces, fierce
ly determined as he was to win the object OF
his covetous passions.
"WEDNESDAY of that eventful week
w was scheduled for developments dis
turbing and sensational. Thurley returned
to the avenue home at four in the afternoon
from drive with Lady Honore Calthorp
and Kelsey Woods, expecting to dress for
afternoon tea and be driven to a rendezvous
with Alice, that they might proceed together
to Mrs. Ashley Duane's.
She found note on her table, addressed
in the once familiar hand of Acton Gaillard.
1t was brief but charged with significance:
You evaded my proposal and gave me no
definite answer in the park. l wish to know,
| once for all and without delay. Will you be my
wife3 My sort of love can endure no more of
this suspense and torture. With vivid men,
| ories of the things that have been.
Ever indu1gently and 1ongingly yours.
ACTON.
The threat was there, yelled, but none the
less apparent to her keen perceptive facul-
ties, and Thurley was perturbed to the
depths of her girlishly timid heart.
She had hoped to postpone this too def
mite issue,-hold Gaillard away as she held
the others, according to her promise made
to Alice. Her impulse from the first had
been to tell him precisely what he was and
dismiss him forever from her life. She real
lied her helplessness, however, and the
power of his knowledge of the past. She was
vexed and frightened together, loathing the
man for attempting to take this advantage