Evening star., 1912-09-29

.., OeS pdIely toucnlng the moor.
!m-working Mrs. Poggi," Bernie ex-
pianed. I'm a-detective."
~. W nat new falsehood Isl this?''
NO falsehood at all.' Norvin told her.
he is a detective-a very fine one, too
ana ne has been working on the Malta
or MS work 20 follow the Poggis. Please
dont allow your jealousy to ruin every
thing
Il am not jealous. I merely will not
let MIN love another. that is all. But
What is this you say?" Her velvet eyes
mad lost little Of their hardness: they
were as round as buttons and fixed in
quiringly upon the speaker.
You must believe me-" he said, i'm
pressively, though can't tell you more.
even or this you mustn't breathe a word
to any one. Mr.. Dreux has had to per-
init this misunderstanding much against
his VIII. because Of the secrecy imposed
upon him."
With wonderful quickness the anger
died out Of Felicite's face, to be replaced
by look Of sweetness.
detective" she cried. turning to
Bernie. You work for the public good
at the risk Of your life? And that dago
woman Is one Of the. Malta? What a
noble work! You forgive me?''
Instantly Mr.. Dreux's embarrassment
left him and he assumed chilling
haughtiness.
Forgive you? After such a scene?
MY dear girl. that's asking a good DEAL"
Felicite's lip trembled; her eyes, as
they turned to Norvin. held such an ap-
peal that he hastened to reassure her.
Ot course he forgives you. He's de-
ilghted that You care enough to be jeal-
ous.'
Bernie grinned. whereupon his pepperv
sweetheart exploded. angrily:
You delight In my unhappiness, VIII
lain! You enjoy my suffer1ngs. Very
well! You have fiirted-I shall fiirt. You
drive me to distraction-I shall behave
accordingly. That Antoine Giroux wor-
ships me and would buy a ring for me
tomorrow If would consent
"1t murder him. exclaimed Dreux,
with more savagery than Blake believed
was in him.
Now. don't start all over again." he
cautioned them. "You.are mad about
each other
Nothing of the sort declared Felicite.
AT least Bernie worships you"
Ihe girl fell silent and beamed openly
upon her lover.
Why don't you two end this sort of
misunderstanding and-marry?'
MISS Delord paled at this bold Ques-
tion. Dreux gasped and flushed DULY,
out seemed to find no words.
That is-impossible," he said, finally.
ITS nothing of the Sort" urged Blake.
you think you're happy this way, but
you're not and never will be- You're let
ting the best years Of your lives escape.
why care what people say if you're
happy with each other and unhappy
when apart?"
To his surprise the girl turned upon
MIN fiercely. do not torture Bernie so,"
she cried. There are reasons why he
cannot tn marry me- | love him: he adores
cred and stole down her smooth cheeks.
You are cruel to hurt him SO. m ,sieu."
Bernie, you're coward! Blake said.
with some degree of feeling. but the girl
new once more to her lovers defense.
coward, indeed! His bravery is un-
Del1evable. Does he not risk his life for
this miserable committee of yours? He
mas the courage of thousand lions.''
II admire your loyalty-and. of course,
1ts really not my affair. although
Why don't You go out to the park, where
the birds are singing, and talk 1t all
over? Those birds are always glad to
welcome lovers. Meanwhile I'll look into
the Poggi matter
Bernie vas glad enough to end the
scene. and he arose with alacrity, but his
race was very red and he avoided the
eye OF his friend. AS for Miss Delord.
now that her doubts We're auelled. she
was as sparkling and as cheerful as an
April morning.
bles for the day had ended with that
stormy scene in the cafe he was greatly
mistaken. He had promised Felicite that
he would fly to her with the coming of
dusk. and that neither the claims of duty
nor OF family should keep him from her
side. But that evening Myra Nell seized
upon him as he was cautiously tip-toeing
past her door on his way out The tone
OF her greeting gave him an unpleasant
start.
she said.
Now. nobody save Myra Nell ever as
sumed the poetic license Of calling Bernie
young man. and even she did SO only
upon momentous occasions. A quick
glance at her face confirmed his premoni-
tion of an uncomfortable half hour. Il
haven't cent. really he said, des-
perately.
This isn't about money! She was
very grave. 1T is something far more
serious
Then what can it be-" he inquired in
tone Of mild surprise. You aren't GO
ing to die again. are your" But she
delgned no explanation until she had led
him into the library, waved him imperi-
ously to seat upon the haircloth sofa
and composed herself on a chair facing
him. Rejecting that he was already late
Tor his appointment, he wriggled uncom-
fortably under her gaze.
"Well?'' she said. after a pause Some
thing In her bearing caused his spirits to
continue their downward course. Her
brow was furrowed with a somber por-
tent
"Yes'm." he said. nervously. quite like
SIndiI ScnOolDOy whose eyes are fixed
upon the sunshine outside.
I've heard the truth
Yes'm," he repeated, vaguely.
Needless to say, I'm crushed"
Bernie slowly whitened as the meaning
OF his sisters words sank in. He seemed
to melt. to settle together. and his eyes
filled with strange. hunted expression
What are you talking about?" he de-
manded. thickly.
You know. very well.''
DO To-
She nodded her dark head. "This is
the first disgrace which has ever fallen
upon us and I'm heartbroken."
II don't understand" he protested, in
voice so faint she could scarcely hear
HIM. But his pallor increased; he sat
upon the edge OF the couch. clutching it
nerrously. as If 1t had begun to move
under him.. He really felt dizzy. Myra
Nell had a bottle of smelling salts in her
room and he thought of asking. her to
fetch it.
Even yet I can't believe it of YOU"
she continued. THE idea that you NV
protector, the one man upon whom I've
always looked with reverence and re-
spect: YOU. my sole remaining relative
the idea that YOU should be entansled in
miserable. intrigue-Why. it's appallingr'
Her lips qOivered. tears welled into her
eyes. seeing which the little man felt
himself strangling.
DON'T he cried 'miserably II didn't
think you'd ever find it OUT
Il seem to be the only one who doesn't
know all about It," Myra Nell shud-
dered.
IT simply couldn't help it, he told her.
Pm human and I've been in love for
years"