Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-03

teIicss: apparently net Knowing what
TO say, or il he was expected to say
anything, while, for her part. the cir
no longer looked at him, but at the
flowers. taking one, which she turned
in her fingers.
"Your Ladyship would command
ne"
ITO give the play no more!"
But" Expostulation shone from
his look.
"In which event you shall be SUI
fered to 20 free tomorrow"
But my livelihood! What shall
do. if am forbidden to earn"
She gave him Z colder look. IT have
spoken to tho commandant; told him
what l had seen, and that ] did not
think you intended to make trouble
Your case will, therefore, not be re
ported to his Excellency. Only" with
warning fash, If you are again
caught giving the play, you must eX
pect to receive your deserts"
"Of course! If your Ladyship com
mands!" dejectedly.
81 do! But, as an Offset to the cop
pers you might otherwise receive,
will give you sum of money Suffl
cient to compensate you"
your Ladyship is SO generous!" He
made an uncouth gesture of gratitude
and covetousness. May I ask your
Ladyship how much"
"How much?" scornfuily. "But
suppose"
The words died away; her glance
fell; fingered on the hand he hac
extended. Muscular, shapely, il
seemed not adapted to the servile
gesture; was most unlike the hand
OF clod or clown. Moreover, it was
marked with a number of wounds,
half-healed, which caught and held
her look.
"Of course, I am so poor, your Lady
ship" he began, in yet more abject
tore, but stopped, attracted in turn
by the direction OF her gaze; then,
meeting it, quickly withdrew the hand
and thrust it into his pocket. Not
in time, however, to prevent startled
light, a swift CLEAN of recollection
from springing into her eyes! The
very movement itself ironically
enough. -was not without precedent.
"You!" She recoiled from him. 1.-THE
Black"
AS a man who realizes he has be
trayed himself, he bit his lips; but at
tempted no further subterfuge. The
stumbling figure straightened; the
dull eyes grew steady; the bold self
possession she remembered we'll on
another occasion again marked his
bearing.
Your Ladyship has discerning
eyes" he remarked quietly, but as
he spoke glanced and moved little
toward the window.
My lady stood rs If dazed. He, the
Black Seg1eur, there, in the palace!
Mechanically she raised her hand to
her breast; she was very pale. On
the balcony the nightingale, grown
confident, burst into a flood Of varia'
tons; thousand trills and full
throated notes filled the room.
Il understand now" at length she
found voice, why that fancy came to
me below, when l was listening to the
play On the platform. But why have
you come--to the very Mount itsclf?''
Her voice trembled q little. you!
On the beach the people tried to stop
you"
you saw that, too?"
"And you knew the play would
make trouble! You wanted 1t to-
quickly. For what purpose? To get
into the upper part of the Mount? To
have them arrest-bring you here?
She looked at him with sudden ter
ror. "My father! Wes 1t to"
= low, distinct rapping at the door
she had entered, interrupted them,
She started and looked fearfully
around. At the same time the noun.
tebanA stepped back to the side OF
a great bronze in front Of the balcony,
where, standing In the shadow, he
was screened.
"Elisa!" voice called out.
The flower the girl had been hold
ing fell to the floor.
My" she began, when the door
opened and the Governor stood on the
threshold.