Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-18

nare and he looked intenty at her. She flushed darky,
and somehow Belmont guessed much of what he owed
her and why he owed it.
He took her hand. "Perdita," he said softly, at
you whom have to thank for the help-the letterthe
means of escaping the Zephyrs-I know it. Tell me
why you schened so desperately to help a despised
legionnaire."
But Perdta silent and her eyes no longer met his.
1t seemed to Belmont that he moving, speaking,
living in dreams Strangely as he stood there, holding
the hand of the Spanish girl, there rose before him
memory of the last occasion which he stood alone
with woman holding his hand That had been during
period when he moved in very different surroundings,
and in very different manner. And the woman had
been of different class-yes and different character
too She would have drawn her skirts aside from poor
beast of egonnaire nstnctively; indeed, she had in
effect, drawn her skirts aside from officer of English
cavalry-from him, Belmont, because he poor
in comparison with new eligible. Indeed, thought
Belmont bitterly, she was of different class from Per
da of the Cafe du Legion She had said to the last that
she loved him; but he had her eyes such
look he had in those of the Spanish girl when he
took her hand.
Belmont understood without words that Perdita
loved him, and mingled with the passion of gratitude
that now flooded his spirit was new feeling He did
not know whether it love "a egonnaire orgets
about love), but it something trenulous and
derful such torment of anxiety to prove devotion
or alteration as may have possessed those frenzied
doaers of India who used to throw themselves beneath
the wheels of the of Juggernaut. Wave upon
OF intense emotion swept across his mind gratitude,
amazement many emotions. He was grateful for her
love- he grateful for her help On the verge of tears
he pulled himself together.
"You love mel! he said rather than asked
She raised her lips to his, with little low cry of
tent. For moment she forgot everything everyone
but
Then coughed dryly at the door, and they
turned 1t was The Shoulder, hunched sinister There
something vulturine in his pose He removed his
cigarette with flourish. "Good day, Senorta. Legion
naire congratulate you" he said sweetly. But his
mouth was and evil with hate and envy and malice
CHAPTER VII. The Shoulder Is Generous
THE man with the hunched shoulder stepped into the
cafe sat down. lit fresh cigarette and spoke. at
is to that there has not been time for Perda to
explain things fully to you, Legionnaire' he said
doncaly. @Perhaps then it would be better if 1
to explain to YOU l well qualified, believe me, Lee
gionnalre l am man who is placid, kind hearted, of
easy disposition, and Unconditional" But the wry
and bitter smile his lips contradicted every word he
said.
Belmont looked at Perdita questoningly. He was
vaguely conscious of complications come he guessed
that his simple matter of appeal to the
Colonel by Perdta Something sinister lay behind it ALL
Perdita hesitated, then nodded. @He will explain"
she said a little catch in her voice.
Belmont turned to The Shoulder, waiting.
u am simple man, Legonnaire, said The Shoulder,
@and will tell my tale simply" He ficked the ash
from his cigarette and dropped his voice II love Per-
dta Perdta loves you. But you do not love her. You
desertyou captured say to Perdita L will save
him, will arrange for him to leave Africa without pun
shmen if you will be my wife Perdta agrees to that
arrange the half of your rescue and ask you come to
my house that may perfect my plans for your escape
But you do not So to Perdita to ask her
how l can help you-and find her in your arms,
Legionnaire! That is the explanation" he repeated
Belmont flushed little; for, loathe the man though
he might, he could not uneasy feeling that
he had not been treated fairly He turned to Perdta;
but the girl said nothing: only stared at him. her eyes
as this tu,e Perdita3n he asked SOFTLY