The Washington herald., 1911-02-27
CHAPTER XIX.
Breitmann Makes His First BIund.


Breitmann Makes His First BIundcr.
The secretary nerved himself and
waited; and yet he knew what her reply
would be. even before she framed IT,
knew it with that indescribable certainty
which prescience occasionally grants in
the space of d moment. Before he had
spoken there had been hope to stand
! upon. for she had always been gentle and
kindly toward him, not whit less than
she had been to the others
h Mr.. Breitmann. I am sorry. I never
dreamed of this nor had she. She had
forgotten Europeans seldom understand
the American girl as she is or believe
that the natural buoyancy of spirit Is as
free from purpose or intent as the play
of child. But in this moment she
remembered her little and perfectly in
consequent attentions toward this man,
and seeing them from his viewpoint she
readily forgave him. Abroad, she was
always on guard: but here. among her
own compatriots who accepted her as she
was, she had excusabIy forgotten Il am
sorry il you have misunderstood me in
any way"
that those stars should cease to shine
tonight" his voice heavy with emotion
II am sorry" she could only repeat
Men had spoken to her like this before,
and always had the speech been new to
her and always had a great and tender
pity charged her heart. And perhaps
her pity for this one was greater than
any she had previously known; he seemed
so lonely.
Sorry, sorry! Does that mean there is
no hope?"
None. Mr. Breitmann. none"
rs there anotherT' his throat swelling
But before she could answer: Pardon
me; l did not mean that 1 have no
right to ask Suoh a question"
And 1 should not have answered it to
any but my father, Mr.. Breitmann." She
extended her hand. Let US forget that
you have spoken. 1 should like you for
a friend"
Without a word he took the hand and
kissed it. He made no effort to hold
it, and it slipped from. his clasp easily.
Good night
Good night" And he never lost sight
of her until she entered the salon-cabin.
He saw a star fall out of nothing into
nothing. She was sorTy. The moment
brewed thousand wild suggestions. To
abduct her, to carry her away into the
mountains, to cast his dream to the four
winds. to take her in spite of herself
he laid his hand on the teak railing.
wondering at the sudden wracking pain,
a pain which unlinked coherent thought
and left his mind stagnant and inert.
For the first time he realized that his
pain was a recurrence of former ones
similar. Why? He did not know. He
only remembered that he had had the
pain at the back of his head and that
it was generally followed by a burning
fury, a rage to rend and destroy Things.
What was the matter?
The damp rail was cool and refreshing.
and after a spell the pain diminished.
He shook himself free and stood straight,
his Jaws hard and his eyes, absorbing
what light there was from the stars,
chatoyant. Sorry! So be it. To have
humbIed himself before this American
girl and to be snubbed for his pains,
But, patience! Two million francs and
his friends awaiting the word from him.
She was sorry. He laughed. and the
laughter was not unlike that which a
few nights gone had startled the ears
of the other woman to whom he had once
appealed in passionate tones and not
without success.
"Karlr'
The sight of Hildegarde at this moment
neither angered nor pleased him He
permitted her hand to lay upon his arm
MY head aches,'' he said as II reply
ng to the unspoken question in her eyes
Karl why not give it up?'' she plead
d.
Give it UP? What, when 1 have come
his far. when 1 have gone through what
have? oh, no Do not think 50 little
IF me as that"
But it is a dream"
He shook of her hand angriIy. IF there
s to be any reckoning shall pay, never
ear. But it will not. shall not fail!'
She would have liked to weep for him.
Il would gladly give you my eyes, Karl.
( you might see it all as 1 see it. Ruin,
-uin! Can you touch this money without
;iolence? All. my God, what has blinded
you to the real issuesg'
'T have not asked you to share the
difficulties"
mo. You have not been that kind to
ne"
Tonight there were no places in his
lrmor for any sentiment but his own.
L want nothing but revenge"
'I think can read" her own bitterness
,etting the better OF her tongue. Miss
Silligrew has declined"
'You have been listening?" with
narL
1t has not Deen necessary 10 nspen'
leeded only to watch"
well, what Is II to your"
Take care, Karii You cannot talk
o me like that
Don't drive me, then. Oh" with a
rudden turn of mind. II am sorry that
Tou cannot understand"
IF / hadn't should never have given
'ou my promise not to speak. There
vas a time when you had right on your
ide but that time ceased to be when
rou lied to me. How little you under
tood me! Had you spoken frankly and
generously at the start God knows
houldn't have refused you But you set
ut to walk over my heart to get that
Miserable slip OF paper. All! had I but
,nown! i say to you You win fan utterly
nd miserably. You are either blind or
nadr'