The Washington times., 1912-10-26
CHAPTER TX.
An Interrupted Breakfast.

An Interrupted Breakfast.
WY HEN ANNE and her guest
"/ entered the dining-room. Ry-
Wv lance saw that the table had
been laid for only one per-
son. The young woman asked him to
be seated, then stepping to the door
that led to the kitchen. she summoned
4 middle-aged woman whom she called
Therese. The woman entered with Q
tray containing a slice OF melon. eggs.
chops, potatoes. rolls. and coffee. When
Anne left the, room.
Rylance. left to himself. had just
finished the melon. and was about to
open one of the eggs. when he heard a
series OF low cries coming from the
floor above him.
"Therese! Theresei Come here!
The voice undoubtedly was that Of
Anne Bregaut, but II was SO expressive
tmpulsively. started toward the hall.
b But, quick as was his action, Therese
arrived before him. The woman's face
was pale and. as she ran, she wiped
her hands on the apron she was wear
ing.
"Therese! Therese! They've gone!'
Rylance halted. 1t was apparent that
the young woman to whose aid he had
been hastening was threatened with no
physical violence. 80 he returned TO
Twice OF thrice in the course of the
next five minutes Rylance heard the
sound Of sobbing. He thrust back his
plate on which the tempting chops were
with nervous steps:
'T can do nothing" he muttered
moodily. Tho curse which has been
following me has fallen on her. also.
By Heaven, I were better dead!
At length he heard her voice In tho
mo. no-not that. rherese! We shall
do better now that he Is gone"
footsteps; then Anne re-entered the
room. Though pale, her face was no
less calm and cold than It had been
when he had first seen 1t on the night
before.
"You, too. have had loss?'' said Ry-
lance kindly, as she paused Just inside
dlsnsins from his face to the table.
"You have scarcely touched your
breakfast, monsisur.7swss II not to
Chilled BY the manner in which She
thus gave him to understand that she
did not desire his sympathy. Rylence
still was human enough to fnd him
self admiring the grace of this strange
young woman who. even now, ne felt.
was the most beautiful he had ever
,pressye OF admiration and sympathy.
Ris voice was scarcely less cold than
hers as he replied:
"The fault lay with my appetite; and
not with the 6reaf,ast ,Ss srosis Tos have
taken. and am sorry, that my visil
has been accompanied by incidents
which have disquieted YOU"
AS he finished speaking he bowed ano
stop" Anne said. quietly.
Ryiance, turning, looked at her ques'
"Yos are not soins-nowT' the young
" "@why noti. can be of no use to you
The young woman coiored slightly
and her eyes kindled with displsa;ure ls ~ !.
~. cold voice. mo, you can't Be that
3tiii, there is something Of which
want tS speak before you 90. BE sea'''
The unshaved face of Rylance flushed
ansrily. He hesitated. then, crossing
10 4 rocking chair, he moved It slightly
toward where Anne was standing:
The young woman seated herself on
chair near one Of the windows. Ry'
lance sat down near the table.
"well, mademoiselle?" he asked.
"You have told me that while you
slept last night your purse was stoien'
Anne began.
Eyes" said Rylance, quietly.
"It Contained $lO02" Ryiance nodded
zone hundred dollars Is not such 9
sreat deal Of money" Anne went on
'No. it is not much" Rylance as,
"But. despite the promise I made tc
you before you came downstairs. II II
more than I can restore to you Just
now"
The young woman's eyes flashed omi
"You do not doubt that will do so,
she said, with note of anger In hel
"You are in no manner responsible,
for my loss. will not be beholden t
you for charity"
iAnne's eyes widened. Though thi
stranger had spoken quietly. there wa
something In his voice and the stern
ness of his features that plainly CAV
her to understand that his world ha'
been larger than the Island of Orleans
that he could be chivalrous. without be
ing a woman's fool. His face was hag
gard and unshaven and his clothes wer
such al the island farm hands wore ol
Sundays and holidays. but his carriage
speech, and hands indicated that he di
not belong to that class OF men o
which the boon companions of Jeai
Bregaut were members.
II was In a softer voice that she re
piled:
"The money was taken by my father
''The loss of the money does no
worry me- Many times I have lost IA
greater sums with better grace tha
you are crediting me with losing now
II I were disposed to seek reimburse
ment It would be of Jean Bregaut alone
I certainly would not accept 1t at You
hands"
Though kindly spoken. his words ha
a decisive ring that was unmistakabl,
rose and turned to one OF the windows.
What am to dor" she murmured.
The dignity which heretofore ha
partially cloaked the sense OF humilia
y EzkKER'8