The Washington times., 1913-06-30
CHAPTER XXXIv.
The wooing Of Cicely.

TIME completion of Douglas Jes-
sons novel was the principal
event of the following week.
There had come no word from
Emily de Reuss, nor had Douglas him.
self sought her. Better. he told him
self. to face his suffering like man,
grapple with it once and for all, than
to become even as Drexley and those
others, VINO had never found strength
to resist. She was beautiful. mag
netic. fascinating, and he loved ner;
on the other hand, there was his self
respect and the strength of his man
hood He was young, he had courage,
and a career-surely the battle would
go for him. But the days which fol-
lowed were weary and the nights were
pitiless.
He finished his novel, doggedly and
conscientiously. The great publishing
house who had been waiting for II had
pledged themselves to produce II within
a month, and Douglas was everywhere
pursued with little bundles OF proofs
recurring immediate attention. These
and his work at the Courier kept him
fairly occupied during the day, but the
nighttime was fast becoming sea-
SON of terror. He tried theaters, music
halls, the club-all vainly. For there
was always the silent hours before the
dawn. when distraction was impossible
hours when he lay with hot, wide
open eyes and looked back upon that
little scene-saw Emily with her hands
outstretched toward him. and that new
light UP on her face, heard her changed
eyes felt She thrilling touch Of her
lips.
ote-he, to dare to make terms with
her who offered him her love-he. un-
Atrtk hA
arsstocrat to the fingertips; rich,
beautiful, famous. What gulf be-
tween them! She had stretched out her
hands to help him across, and he had
fingered bargaining. He leaped from
his couch and stood before his window.
He would go to her at once-her love
he would have on any terms until sh'
was weary of him, and the measure
of his life should be the measure Of
those days.
He would have his day and die Then
the empty streets. the curling white
the far-off sickly lights cleaning down
the riverside reminded him that many
hours must come before he could see
her. And with the later morning came
fresh resolutions-the moment OF weak
ness was gone.
He broughe home to his rooms a home
less wanderer whom he had found dis
Charged from a night In the cells. gave
him his own bedroom and sent for a
doctor and nurse. From them he
learned that, so far as Emily de Reuss
was concerned, there was nothing more
to be feared from David Strong.
HIS days were numbered, al last, and
the end was very near. So Douglas
you'd hear nothing of hospital, and
spent weary nights at the dying man .
side. For which, and his act Of charity.
he had soon an ample reward.
One morning a grinning youth invaded
his sanctum at the Courier with the in
formation that a lady wished to see
him. The walls spun around, and his
neart leaped with delirous hope. But
when he reached the waiting-room II
was Cicely. who rose smiling to greet
him, Cicely In the smsrtest clothes she
had ever worn, and 4 new hat, looking
as dainty and pretty as picture. But
Il was Cicely-not the woman for whose
coming he would have given years of
his life.
She herself was too happy to notice
the sudden fall in his countenance. Her
piquant little face was beaming. She
held out a pearl-gloved hand to him.
Douglas she exclaimed. II have
come to take you out to lunch. 1t was
a bargain. remember. have just drawn
a check from the Ibex for 20 pounds.
Twenty pounds" he repeated, with
mock reverence. Heavens! what e.