The Washington times., 1913-07-02

that he understood anything whatso
ever about women. He walked up ane
on his hat and walked across to tn
club.
Let me. go. tell you! BY Heaven
therelr be mischief II you don't!
Half dozen of them were holdint
Drexley-a pitiable sight. His coat wa,
torn, his eyes seemed starting from hi
sockets, his breath reeked OF brandy
and his face was pale with passion
Opposite him was Douglas, his cheei
bleeding from the sudden blow which
Drexley had struck him, gazing will
Some one had told him that Drexie,
was there. had been drinking brand,
all day and was already verging OF
madness. and he had gone at once into
the little bar. hoping to be able te
quiet him.
But at his irst words Drexley hat
sprung upon him like. a wild animal
nothing but his own great persona
strength and the prompt Intervention O
all the men who were present haS
saved the attack from being q murder
ous one There had been no words
no s1l. wes aaroo. S hs silent Se NOV
Il think You had better 60 away
lesson. one Of the members said. I'VE
will take him home"
But -Drexley heard and shook his head
He spoke then for the first time.
said. Pm sorry I made Q fool Of my.
self I'm, all right now. You necdn'
hold me-" N-,a
They stood away from him. He made
no movement.
i've a word or. two to say, to lesson
in priate." he said. mo one need be
afraid Of me. You can tie my hands
IL you like, but 1t isn't necessary"
Cleavers. one Of the members who had
witnessed the assault. shook his head.
II wouldn't trust myself with him II
were YOU, Jesson," he said. Hes hall
mad NOW ana TOR some reason,oe other
he's got his knife into you. You slip
OF hime quietly" @
lesson looked across the room to
Drexley, who was leaning against the
wall with folded arms.
Give me your word of honor. Drex-
ley" he said. land Til hear what ycu
have to ay."
II give it. / swear that will not lay
a finger upon you.'
Come this way, then" lesson added
He left the room and entered small
committee chamber nearly opposite
Drexiey closed the door. but he showed
no signs Of excitement.
"Jesson," he began, II hated yot
once because j WAS tHe pOoT "
woman who cared nothing for m,
or any who had gone before me, ant
, who from the 6rst looked upon vol
differently. I hated you from tn
day Emily de Reuss wrote me AM
ordered me to delay your story an an,
be driven to go to her for aid. Then
think / became apathetic. We iriftet
together, / tolerated you. The WON
an had worshiped all my life forgo
crumbs of consolation. 1t was then
/ met-through you-Miss Strong" B.
Douglas was suddenly interested
What had Cissy to do with 1t all? HI
put his thought into words; %, -.
understand how I have injured you"
"Oh! you have not injured me.
Drexley answered bitterly. You hav'
simply stood between me and saliva
ton" :,
you want me to understand you,
"There was only one thing in th'
world which could have saved M
from this-from myself. DreSiev con
names you like. I'll accept them;
wasted half a lifetime only to hnt
that rly folly had been colossal. NJ
other woman but your cousin has eve
been kind to msd;ne n ses aeid the 'Hs iirhte
and then yos pust come and taxi
poaslas sased at him in biani
DO Won mean to tell me that 70,
care for my cousin-seriously-wo
have asked her to marry your he ex
claimed. .. ....
Yes
And she?"-.- -~
"she was kind to me. In time I shoult
har t.
Douglas rose from his chair ant
walked restlessly up and down I'M
'Drexley." he said. If only I coult
have guessed this.if only could hav
had any idea Of it,
You couldn't" Drexley answered
shortly. II couldn't myself. I'd hav'
given the lie to anybody who had dare
SO much as to hint at IT, 1t was lik'
a thunderclap to me-
Yes"
Listen, then" Douglas said. sudden
iy pausing in his restless walk and fac
! ing his companion. Il will tell you nov
It came about. You rememner the nign
that We were at the Milan
Emily de Reuss was there"
Yes"
For months had been steadily tryinI
to forget her. That night the work o
months was undone. She had only Il
hold out her hands. to speak for a mo
ment kindly. and the truth seemed t.
fare out in letters Of fire. canno
forget her. I own myself, Drexiey, on.
of the vanquished. love her as shall
never love any other woman in thii
world"
DrexIey's face was black with pas
siop. but Douglas would not have hin
speak.
wait" he said. Hear my story first
II left you that night abruptly-as Vol
know. ] went to her. / put aside al
false modesty. / forgot that I wal
only a journalist with possible future
and no past-and that she was an aris.
tocrat-my passion carried me away
! knew only that j was a man and she
was the woman ] loved. So pleaded
with her. and at first thought that
had won"
"Ah. Others have thought that
Drexiey sco6ed.
She answered me-" Douglass con