Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-20
BOOK H..
CHAPTER XVI.-Continued.

I understand we'll enough why you
need Julien Portel,' she admitted. Il
am still in the dark, however. as to why
you imagine that shall give him up?''
Because I am going to buy him from
you," Falkenberg asserted.
She glanced across the room at him.
half curiously. half scornfuly.
Buy him. Your
Exactly he replied. You smile be-
cause you do not understand 1 offer You
dispensation for your divorce. and your
son."
her whole frame. For a moment she
closed her eyes. Then she sprang to her
| feet and stood quivering before him.
This Is one Of your traps! she ex-
| claimed. You don't mean it,
ITO prove that 1 do" he insisted. Il
| have brought Rudolf with me to Paris.
He can be In your arms in few min
utes. Look into the street. II you Will:
| She crossed the room hastily and nfteo
| the curtain. A low cry broke from her
| lips. In the tonneau Of the great touring
car outside a little boy was lying back
among the cushions, asleep.
HE is tired Falkenberg said. slowly.
with his eyes fixed upon the woman. He
has come all the way from Berlin with
out an hours rest. Am l to take him
back tomorrow? 1t is for you to decide. "
Nine. Christopher turned toward the
door. Falkenberg barred the way.
mot yeti" he declared. do you &C
| cept my terms?'
but he is hungry" she cried. 81 can
see that he is hungry! And he is so pale
let me fetch him in
"Of course he is hungry" his father
agreed. "He has also been asking me
| questions about you all the way. He be-
| leves that he is going to see you. I. too.
believe that You consent?"
TELL me exactly what it is that you
require?" she demanded.
Take me to Portel" he answered.
swiftly Inform him that you cannot
any longer permit him the shelter of your
roof
She sat down and began to laugh. soft
| ly but in unnatural fashion. Falkenberg
| watched her with grim curiosity
And then?' she inquired
He hesitated.
II have made some plans he said.
| slowly. IF he passes outside your doors
| tonight he will write no more articles"
But the whole Of the English press Is
clamoring for his return to power! There
| will be no need for his pen-he will take
up his old position.
PRECISELY Falkenberg assented. 'It
! is not my intention that he shall return
| to that position"
Nine. Christopher sat with her eyes
| fixed upon the wall. Then she began to
| laugh once more in the same strange
manner. F'alkenberg was curious.
you find my intentions amusing?" he
| asked.
| Il find the situation amusing she re-
piled. Half an hour ago l offered Sir
Julien Portel what is left of my life"
Falkenberg stood perfectly still. watch
| ing her closely. Then his eyes filled with
a sudden bright light.
your! he exclaimed. "You-Prfncess
Won Falkenberg-offered yourself to this
man and were refused"
You are indeed a genius" she admit
| ted "I was refused"
| waited Nine. Christopher remained ST.
lent. Her attitude puzzled him little.
He was afraid to speak for fear of strik-
| ing the wrong note. Nevertheless. the
onus of speech was thrust upon him.
| Madame he said, at last, II antici-
| pate your reply. This man has put an
| intolerable insult upon you. While he
| lives you could never forget 1t. There
are some privileges still belonging to me.
/ claim the right Of avenging that af-
'front.'
1T comes conveniently-the affront!'
she remarked, through her clinched teeth
Conveniently or not, the affront ex-
ists!" he cried. You cannot refuse me
now! You would not have him go un-
punishedv'
st am not sure that he was to blame
mot to blame?" Falkenberg repeated,
with emphasis. Would you have me be-
ueVe tndt you tnreW yOuTSeiI 1T MS Hcdu
unasked, without encouragement = you,
the proudest woman in France? One
| does not believe such folly!"
Nevertheless, it is the TRUTH" Nine.
| Christopher declared.
Falkenberg smiled incredulously, but he
said nothing. Nine. Christopher had
found her way once more to the window.
| She stood there. looking down into the
car. The boy was still asleep She grip
ped the window curtains with both her
hands. He was SO pale, so tired and
how he had grown!
Il give you even his heritage" Falken-
| berg promised. Make Of him a French
man or an American. if you will: He is
your own son. Take him. give my
| first born for my country. You will not
refuse what offer?''
Nine. Christopher made no answer.
Falkenberg, however, saw the longing in
her face. 1t was enough! He suddenly
changed his tactics.
This Julien Portel," he said-"it Is an
other woman he prefers"
He saw her bosom heave. The storm
against which she had been struggling
| all the time seemed on the point of burst
ing. The hot blood was singing in her
ears, her eyes were af1ame She crossed
the room and rang the bell. Falkenberg
was content to wait. He felt that he had
| won! The butler appeared almost imme-
diately.
You will conduct the Prince Won Fall
kenberg into the winter garden" she d.
! rected. He desires to speak to Sir julien
Portel.''
toward her.
swift glance showed him her disorder
ed countenance. It was reasonable.
II follow" she announced.