The Washington times., 1913-12-30
THEHOUR OF CONFLICT
By A. Hamlton-G Gibbs @sggEze l@s By Frank Mgas C,

wall the cheap photograph of her
father over the mantelpiece.
Then she knelt down by the side OF
her bed and said her prayers, as she
had said them every night since she
| could remember. But they were NOT
| quite the same, for a new name was
included among those for whom she
| prayed.
There was only one candle in the
room. and by its feeble light she un-
down below her waist, thick and very
| black, and many minutes elapsed before
It was satisfactorily remade in two long
plaits. For some moments she stood
| listening, but the only sounds from out
side were the cries of the frogs from
| the marshlaud opposite and the rumble
! of the waves as they broke on the
| cliffs. He had not come
| second and then blew it out, replaced ii
on the dressing table. and got into bed.
| As her head went down upon the pillow
| she gave q sigh which In the darkness
might easily have been mistaken for
| a sob. Bverard had not come.
Sleep laid its hand gently upon her
eyes and waited her out upon the
boundless sea of dreams. How far she
foated In those mystic waters she could
not know, but suddenly, through worlds
"ToiDetteI' That was the whisper,
and again, ''Toinette"' Her ears caught
the word vaguely at first and without
more. the hand of sleep was thrust
aside and she sat up quickly. What
"Toinette," -.-. ..
A murmur OF greet giadness broke
from her, and she left the warm pillow,
lit the candle. and slid across to the
| window. Everard had come!
Cautiously she raised 1t and pulled
aside the blind. rs it your she whis-
pered.
white line OF road, stood Everard, his
face raised to hers. Were you asleep,
he asked.
Toinette leaned far out, and one of
her plaits slipped from her shoulder
and dangled down Everard caught his
breath. In two days he would be away
in England. Good Heavens.
Il was dreaming said Toinette.
that you and 1 were wrecked on a
| desert island"
Come down, Toinette'' said Everard.
Il cannot saw goodnight to you down
here. 1 want to feel you in my arms,
your heart beating against mine. Come
possible" she answered; But see-I
blow You a kiss. Catch,' She placed
| both her hands to her lips and sent
him down two kisses
/ EVerard moved nearer to the wall OF
the house and felt II in places with the
palm Of his hand. She was only twelve
feet above him. and there was a lower
| window
What are you doing?' asked the girl
Everard gave a quick laugh OF ex-
| citement Il am going to climb I'D TO
1ou.'' he said.
With her heart beating wildly for fear
he should fall and be hurt, Toinette
watched him climb up to the window
| ledge beneath her, reach up and feel
Tor a grip upon the rough stones of
me wall, and inch by inch creep nearer.
suddenly she gave a low CRY. He had
slipped and was lying on the ground.
All, do not she whispered II i'm
plore you, do not Arc you hurt?'
But Everafd leaped up. No" he
cried, its easy" He clambered up
| anced himself carefully for a moment,
and then sprang.
Ills nngers just reached the ledge Of
her window and clutched franticalIy
After an appalling second of strain hts
feet found purchase, and very grad
ually he raised himself till his head
was level with hers, his eyes burnine
with triumph.
Toinette drew back into his room
with strange little cry, and Everard
swung one leg into the chamber, duck
and stood beside her.
There was only one candle burning
ano for long moment he and she stood
motionless, gazing at each other with
the picture OF the Virgin and Child and
The crucIhX on the white wall above
them. Then Everard went TO the door
turned the key in the lock and came