The Washington times., 1913-07-04
CHAPTER XXXvIII.
"She Was a Woman: / Was Coward!"

GAIN Douglas found himself face
~ to face with a future emptied OF
n all delight, only this time as
saner and an older man. The
growth of his literary powers. an In
creased virility. following upon the
greater freedom Of his life, and the ces-
sation of those haunting fears which
had ever hung like a shadow over his
earlier days in London, came to his aid.
All that was best and strongest in his
character was called into action
He faced his future like brave man
determined to make the most OF his
days-to make the best use of the pow
ers which he undoubtedly possessed He
remodeled his manner of living to suit
his altered circumstances, took rooms
In Jermyn street, which he furnished
quietly but comfortably. and although
he never became a society man, he went
out often and did not indulge In an ex-
cess Of solitude. He had grown older
and graver. but had lost none Of his
good looks, and was particularly scare-
full never to pose as man OF disap.
pointments.
or Emily de Reuss he saw or heard
nothing. She seemed to have vanished
completely from her place in society,
and although he ventured to make
few careful inquiries, he never CHANGED
to come across anyone who could tell
him anything about her.
IL was astonishing how soon she was
forgotten, even among those who had
been her greatest admirers. He seldom
heard her name mentioned. and although
he never failed to believe that she would
return some day to London, he set him
self az deliberately as possible 20 for
get her. On the whole, he believed that
he was succeeding very well. He was
q favorite among women. for he treated
them charmingly, always with ready
and natural galantry. but always with
the most profoud and unvarying re-
spect.
Only the very keenest observers fan
cied sometimes that they detected the
shadov- of a past in his far from cheer
less demeanor. For Douglas held his
head high. and met the world which had
turned aside to welcome him with out
stretched hands.
One evening, at a large and crowded
reception. a man, whom he knew slight
ly touched him on the shoulder.
Guest" he said, there is lady with
whom i have been talking who wishes
to rehew her acquaintance with you.
May I take you TO herr?
Douglas murmured conventional ac-
quIesccnce and bowed to the pleasant
faced old lady with a sense OF pleasure.
II am honorcd that you should have
remembered me, Duchess" he said. 1T
seems quite a long time since / haze
had the honor OF meeting you"
She made room for him by her side.
Il am glad to see You again, Mr..
Guest she said. pleasantly. for your
own sake. o: course. and also because
you were a friend OF Emily de Reuss."
Douglas looked steadily away for a
moment. He had not yet come to that
stage when he could speak OF her light
ly as n casual friend.
You have not heard from her lately.
sIppcse?" the Duchess asked. "f hear
that she writes to no one"
IT have not heard from her since be-
fore she left England" Douglas ans
wered.
The Duchess sighed.
Poor Emily" she said. You know I
am among those Few who knew her
well-you also. I think, were one Of
them There was no one I was more
fond of-no one whom ] have missed so
much"
Again Douglas was silent Did this
woman understand? he wondered
1T is a pleasure to me-" she con-
tinued, to fipd some one with whom I
can talk about her-some one who knew
and appreciated her"
DO you know" he asked, where she