Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-19
: THE NATIVE BORN :
LA. r. WYLIE :
Copyright The BobbeM eninco


with a sudden inspired appeal-"must
you wait until you are dead to speak to
her? Would IL not be better to go to her
now with your message? | do not know
what has come between you both. but
know this much-all forms of pretense
are fatal"
He stopped her with a gesture OF deci-
sion.
NO" he said The secret must re-
main secret. IL has overshadowed my
life. 1t has laden me with a burden of
responsibility and shame which | have
determined to share with no one. | have
taken II upon my shoulders and | shall
carry Ii to the end Tell Lois that have
Ask her to trust me and think kindly of
me. 1t is not | who have sinned against
her.
Skinned against her! Who has sinned
against her? Do you mean me
NO. not you. You, also. have been
sinned against I also" He sighed wear
lily. When l look about me it seems as
though not one of us has not, In turn.
sinned and been sinned against. II is an
endless chain of the wrong We do one
She laughed. and for the first time there
| rang in her voice a note of the old
harshness.
Look at me. John. There is no turn
and turn about with me. From the be-
ginning have tricked and lied and
fought my we through life. | didn'
care whom ! hurt so long as I got
through ! sinned. Who has sinned
against me-"
"one person at least" he answered.
She caught her breath. and the hand
that passed hastily across her forehead
trembled.
Even IL it were true what YOU saw"
she said. half inaudibly. lit does not alter
the fact that we must atone for what has
been done
1T is the justice OF the world" he as
sented. I'VE must make good the harm
we do and the harm that has been done
| us" He threw back his shoulders with a
| movement of energetic protest. do not
let us waste time talking. We cannot
help each other. All ask is-do not for
get my message.
She looked at him. strangely, moved.
You talk as though you were going to
die tonight" she said.
Il talk as a man does whom death has
already tapped on the shoulder more than
once of late" he answered, with grim
| humor. Goodbye. Beatrice"
ood-bye.'
| He pushed his writing table to one side
so that she could pass out on to the
| veranda.
do not come with me farther" she
said. The carriage Is waiting outside.
| would rather go alone
He stood and watched her as she passed
| lightly and quickly among the rose
bushes. 1t was as though he were trying
| to engrave upon his mind the memory of
a lovely picture that he was never to see
agafn-as though he were bidding her a
| final farewell. Twice she turned and
! glanced back at him. Was 1t with the
same intent. guided by the same strange
| foreboding? She disappeared. and the
voice OF native orderly who had en-
| tered the room unheard recalled him to
the reality.
a letter for you. Capt. Sahib," the man
| said. saluting.
! Stafford took the sealed envelope, and
| tearing it open ran hastily over the con-
| tents. 1t was from the colonel. The sub
scription. as usual since the rupture In
| their relations, was cold and formal.
/ Il should be glad to see you at once
| Col Carmichael had written. Events
occurred yesterday which I have not a.
| yet been able to discuss with you, bu
which l fear are likely to have the mos
! serious consequences. In the presen
weakened condition Of our garrison W,
! can afford to run no risks. Nicholson /.
with me here. Your presence would sim
| plify matters as regards forming oul
plans for the future
Stafford turned to the waiting soldier.
Present my compliments to the Col
] Sahib," he said. Il shall be with him
| Immediately"
| CTo be continued tomorrow