Evening star., 1911-06-11
CHAPTER XVI.
Fate.

sign had been rejected as unworthy, and
Nehal Singh had ordered the erection of
miniature copy Of his own palace. the
ballroom being line for line a reproduc-
tion of the great hall, save that the
decorations, which in the palace were in
innitable, had been carried out with digni-
fed simplicity. and that some necessary
modernization had been added. Gold and
! white predominated, where In the original
precious stones glistened; the brackets
Tor the torches were transformed into
small artistic lamps. which had been or
dered from Madras; and from the ceiling
heavy chandelier added brilliancy to the
shaded light. The central floor had been
left free for dancing, but the slender
pillars ranged on either side formed sep
arate little alcoves, banked with flowers
and plants. It was in one Of these
refugees from the whirr and confusion of
gay dresses and white uniforms that
Stafford took up his watch. He had ar
rived late, thanks to Travers. who had
detained him. at his bungalow in long
and earnest conversation. The two men
had subsequently driven together to the
club, and had further been hindered on
their way by a curious accident. Just
where the road passed an unprotected
rayine. native had sprung out from
some bushes. and having waved his arms
wildly, disappeared The horse had i'm
mediately taken fright, and for mo-
danger OF being flung headlong down the
precipice. Stafford's strength and nerve
had saved the situation. but the incident
had effectually put an end to their con-
versation, and now for the first time
Stafford found himself alone and at lib
erty to bring some order into his trou-
bled thoughts.
He was not, as Marut supposed. con-
science-strfcken man, but man with q
diseased conscience. his sense Of duty
and responsibility developed to abnor-
mites which left him no clear judgment.
He had broken with Lois because he
loved her and because there seemed no
other way OF shielding her from the most
human nfe-judging by the only stand
ard he knew, which was his own. He
had asked Beatrice to be his wife be-
cause it cut the last link and because he
ton had long since coupled their names
together in q way that cast a deeper
shadow about Beatrice's reputation.
ITS no ones fault. old fellow" Travers
had said. sympathetically. You meant
no harm. but you were often with her:
and that old fend. Mrs. Cary. has told
every one that you were as good as
And then you know what the people are
here. When they see that things are ct
dig their knives deeper into Miss Cary.
without giving her the credit Of having
won her game. She is fairly at every
ones mercy here. / am sorry for Lois.
but the other is worse on. according to
STAFFORD had said nothing. Goaded by
Travers' words and blinded by the catas-
trophe which had broken upon him. he
had acted without thought. without con-
sideration, for the first time in his life
obeying the behests Of a headlong i'm
pulse. He had asked Beatrice to be his
wife, and tonight was to put the final
seal upon their alliance. Again 1t was
Travers who had spoken the decisive
word.
"A secret engagement is piece of
folly" he said. "and Miss Cary is mad
to wish 1t. For your sake as we'll as
hers. everything must be above board.
Or are you shirking?"
Stafford had made a hot retort. 1t
was not In the scope Of his character to
turn back on q road which he had marked
out for himself. and he waited now for
Beatrice with the unshaken resolution of
q man who believes absolutely In himself
and his own code. He waited even with
q certain impatience. Shortly before he
had seen her standing at the rajah's side,
a fair and beautiful contrast to his east
ern splendor, and, somehow, in that mo-
ment, he had understood Travers' warn
ing as he had not understood 1t before.
She was to be his wife. she was to bear
his name, and 1t was his duty to protect
her II need be from herself. He was
about to leave the alcove to go In search
Of her when she pushed aside the hang
ings and entered. The suddenness OF her
appearance and something in her express
sion startled him. He did not notice how
radiantly beautiful she was nor the taste
and richness Of her dress. He saw only
that there was curious look Of pain and
fear in her eyes which warmed his friend
ship and aroused In him afresh the desire
to shield her from the malice Of the eyes
that watched them.
Have been q long time coming?" she
asked. taking the chair he offered her. Il
am so sorry. The rajah kept me-"
Her voice sounded breathless and there
was a forced lightness in her tone which
did not escape him. He bent little over
her.
'It does not matter" he said. "You
look troubled. Is there anything wrong?"
She laughed.
Nothing"
There is one matter I want to speak
to you about, Beatrice. It is the matter
of-our engagement. think you are
wrong to wish 1t kept secret. think 1t
can only bring trouble and misunder-
every one?''
The white satin slipper stopped its regu-
lar tattoo on the rugged floor. She lifted
her face to his and looked him full in the
"You think 1t was foolish and unrea-
sonable to wish no one to know? But /
had my reasons-very good reasons.
wanted the retreat kept clear for YOU"
'Retreat-for mel"
Eyes. for you. Capt Stafford, why did
you ask me to be your wife?'
He drew himself stif1y erect.
II told you at the time" he said, stern
ly. II was quite honest. told you that
the best man can bring the woman he
marries IL not In my power to give you.
It was-shipwrecked some time ago."
mot so very long ago." she corrected.
THAT does not matter. The point is
that I believe 1t In my power to make
you happy-at any rate, II would always
be my ambition to see you so: and there
in should. no doubt, regain a great deal
that have lost"
"But you do not love me. Capt. Stat
ford?''
Il have just said that have lost the
power OF loving"
FOR q moment she was silent, her Jew
eled hands resting wearily on the arms of
her chair, her eyes sunk to the ground.
''You made me an honorable proposal
Capt. STAFFORD" she said at last. "You
are an honorable man and inspire me
with the desire to be honorable Also
Wort you take back your freedom while
mo"
.'There are others-good women among
whom you would find one who would love
you as you deserve. ! do not love you.
All I can bring il q certain respect and
friendship-that IL ALL"
IT am grateful for 30 much," he said.
He was thinking Of Lois. and his voice