Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-03-26
CHAPTERsXIl.
THE DRAMA BEGINS.

~HE swayed a little. but recover.
ed az the pain OF the shock
~ was succeeded by numbness
That out Of the dark OF this
room into the light Of that lamp in
this house so far removed from cities
that II seemed not part Of the world
there should step this man. Why had
there been no hint OF his presencef
Why had not the clairvoyance OF des-
pair warned her! One Of her hands
rose and pressed over her eyes as II
to sponge out this phantom. 1t was
useless; II was no dream: he was still
there this man she had neither seen
nor heard OF for five years because
her will was stronger than her desire.
this man who had broken her heart
as children break toys. And deep be-
low all this present terror was the
abiding truth that she still loved him
and always would love him. Th'
shame of this knowledge did more
than all else to rouse and to nerve
her.
"Karl?" II was like an echo.
"Yes." There was war IN his voice
and attitude and not without reason.
He had wronged this woman. not with
direction intention. II was true. but
nevertheless be mud wronged her. and
her presence here could mean noth.n:
less than that tate had selected this
SPOT for the reckoning. She could
topple down his carefully reared
schemes with the same ease with
which he had blown over hers. And
to him these schemes were life to his
breath and salt to ai1 blood. every
thing. What was one woman: cyni'
caIly. Yes. 1t is l." in the tongue
native to them both.
And what do you here?
IL am Admiral Killigrew's private
secretary." He wet bis lips. He was
not so strong before this woman as
he had expected to be. The giamor 0t
the old days was family rekindled at
the sight Of her. And she was beautl
full.
"Then. this is the house" In q
whisper.
ut is."
"You terrify mer
"Hildegarde. this is your scheme
struggling. Tell them all you know;
break me, ruin me- Here IL u fair op'
portunity for revenge
God forbid she cried with a shiv-
or. Were you guilty Of all crimes. !
could only remember that once l loved
YOU"
you shame me-" he replied frankly.
but with Infinite relief. You have out
done ME In magnanimity. VIII you
forgive me?'
"Oh. yes. Forgiveness Is one OF the
few things you men can not rob US
Of" She spoke without bitterness. but
her eyes were dim aud her lips drop
ned. .Whut shall we do? They must
not know that we have met
"Cathewe knows. mo0dily.
81 had forSotten!'
81 leave all In your hands. Do what
you will. If you break me-and Goo
knows well that you can do t-I
would be ouly an sct Ut justice.
have been Il scOundrei. l am man
enough to admit Of that"
She saw his face more clearly now.
Time had marked II. There were new
/ lines M the corners Of his eyes ana
/ the cheek bones were more prominent.
PERHAPS he had suffered too. You
will always have the courage to DO.
she said. right or wrong In great
manner"
"Am ! wrong to SEEK
Flush! I know. II Is what you must
thrust aside or break to reach II.
Farl The thing itself IL not WRONG.
but you will 60 about It wrongly. You
can not help that
He did not reply. Perhaps she was
right. Indeed, was she not herself an
example OF it? If there was one thing
In bis complex career that be regretted
more than another II was the deception
of this woman. He did not possess tho
usual vanity Of the sex. There was
nothing here to be proud Of. His dream
Of conquest wus not over the Kingdom
| Of women.
..Some one IL coming" he said, listen
ing.
leave II all to me-"
"Ah"- with q hand toward her.
"Do not say II. ] understand the
thought. II only you loved me you
would sayw the iron In her voice un'
| mistakable.
He let his hand fall. he was sorry.
Presently the others made their en-
trance upon the scene. q singular anti'
climax. The admiral rang for the cock
tails. Introductions followed.
rs II not stranger" said the singer
TO Laura. Il stole In here to look at
the trophies. when I discovered Mr..
Breltmann. whom I once knew In hu'
nIch."
mir. Cathewe." said the young