Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-04
Continued from page 9

that Mrs. Cobb had made-also | recognized
how lnexorably was held by it, and at what
price.
HENRY drove me home. We didn't talk
- very much; but as we passed under a
huge, castellated gate, and wound up long
driveway, all new and raw and yellow in the
fog, he leaned toward me.
$50, Mademoiselle, you are going to marry
Victor Cobb"
"Yes," l answered under my breath.
"And yet, Mademoiselle-e me; but
this is what has been puzzling me-you took
me for him."
"I've never seen him" answered family.
Twas ashamed. What would he think of me,
this stranger who was already more to me
than any friendo
"Well, I'll be damned! Excuse me-but
how"
at was Mrs. Cobbarranged the marriage
And my aunt consented, and $3.50 what
could | do?"
Before huge mound of building, dwin-
ding off in the mist with Norman turrets
and Moorish domes and who knows what
else beside, the car came to stop. My new
friend jumped to the ground and held out
his hand to me. AS descended with his aid
he bent suddenly toward me.
"Tell me, Mademoiselle-yo took me for
your new fance Suppose suppose you
had been right, after all, would you have
been very much displeased?"
His blue eyes laughed at me, but with
something behind them that was not laugh
ter at all. And all at once into my own eyes
came something that blinded and stung
Henry image blurred and swan before me;
but l heard his voice saying, quick and
breathless:
"What? What"
The chauffeur had disappeared on the
other side of the car. The house was grim
blank in the fog And suddenly as Henry
stopped toward me had the impression that
he was going to kiss me. Just for a minute
the sweetest, most terrible instant of my
life-the impression touched me: only the
impression, however, and nothing more; for
the next instant the great door swung open
in a blaze of light, and footman began
leisurely march down the steps. And the
next minute Mrs Cobb came tearing after
him.
as it her? Is it you, Lip"
Yes, was touched-in spite of everything
| was touched by her affection as she seized
me and kissed me and exclaimed over me.
"What scare you have given us! Oh, it's
been perfectly terrible! They found the car
with nothing but the servants in it and you
kidnapped by perfect stranger! we've
been telephoning all over the island"
Henry stepped forward with explanations
and apologies. Henry! what right had to
call him Henry, even in my thoughts? AS
saw him standing there beside Mrs. Cobb, I
realized how far had let myself wander in
the land of dreams. The gentleman that l
saw before me was a stranger, courteous
stranger and behind the door waited my
husband-my husband!
Mr. Stuart touched my hand, said few
polite words. The next moment the fog had
swallowed him up. Mrs Cobb dragged me
up the steps.
"Come, my dear, he's here! Gomez
We entered the hail. blaze of electric
light, of gliding, and of many colored mar
bles. My eyes, dazzled by the brilliance,
were aware only of a tall figure that adj
vanced to meet us.
"Darling boy, come! This is Elise! And,
Lii, this is Victor!'
CHAPTER VIII.
THAT evening, at the beginning of the
splendid dinner served on gold plate
and handled by gold-embroidered walters, |
ate a new shellfish. 1t was both salt and bit
ter; it seemed to me that it tasted of tears.