The Washington herald., 1914-12-20

Forbes glared at her incredulously.
Persist Are you lost to all decency?"
"You ought TO know" she retbrted.
But what of that? I'm desperate. Pm
fighting for life"
"Oh, my God, Persis, what have. we
come to?", he moaned. as this the re-
suit of our lover"
"Yes, this is tP she laughed. This is
what comes of having a heart. ! see
now why a love like ours is against all
the laws, written and unwritten, It's
the wisdom of the ages, Harvey" His
very neck rebelled against the CALLING
yoke of their intrigue. He groaned: .
I'VE can't go on with the situation any
more. We are getting degraded-driven
to lies, and now you suggest blackmail.
What next? We must pull up short
and sharp, Persis. You must decide
this minute; either to go away with
me or to stay here without me-"
You've got to stay here and help
me fight"
Il tell you | won't fight such a bat
tie. 1t isn't fighting; it's cowardice, it's
treachery. Decide now, once for all.
Give me up or free yourself from Enslee
and become my wife. The only way to
make our love right is TO come out be-
fore the world and proclaim it."
And even now, when | should be
thinking of you, all / can think of is
what they'll be saying of me tomor-
row."
IF we do the best we can what dif-
feren-e does it make what people say?
Persis, I'd rather die than endure an
other hour of this underhand life But
| can't give you up. ! can't leave you
here to the mercy OF these people and
the evil influences around you. | offer
you happiness. We shall be together al
ways. You can't refuse"
You're right, of course. I've got 10
decide. I'm afraid to be alone. I'll go
with you. Give me just one moment to
get my cloak"
Then she shivered and sank into a
seat helpless.
Il can't go. Harvey, | Just can't 60.
I'm afraid of what people will say"
That was the acid phrase that turned
his love TO hate, his alteration TO dis
gust. He broke the vialS of his wrath
upon her head
What will people say" he sneered.
Is that all you can think of? Why,
that has become your religion, Persis.
You can stand the lying-the sneaking-
the treachery-can't you? You've cour-
age enough for the crimes. but when it
| comes 10 consequences, you're a cow
ard, eh? But I'm not afraid of the con-
sequences. I'm afraid of the crimes
I'm not afraid of the gossips, but of
giving them cause | offered you pro-
| lection. devotion. | wanted to rescue
our honor But you-what do YOU care
| for me-for love-for honor? You care
only for yourself and for what people
will say-well, you'll soon know. But
won't help you to ruin your life. |
won't let you ruin mine. I'm sorry l
ever saw you. Before God, I'll never
see you again"
He turned TO go. A cry of anguish
broke from her. She rushed in pursuit
of him. flung her arms about him, sob
bing: NO, no. | won't let you You've
no right TO leave me. I've given up
everything for you I've been every
thing to you. You can't leave me!
Don't, don't, don't!"
He was too deeply embittered to have
mercy Her panic only angered him
the more. He ripped her hands from
his shoulders, jeering at her: "Agh,
you're faithless to your duty TO your
husband. faithless TO your love of me,
faithlesS to everybody-everything."
Don't say that, Harvey she plead
ed. brokenly. Take that back"
You've killed my trust" he ragged.
You've killed my loye- / hate the sight
of YOU"
She put her hand over his cruel
mouth to silence it. Don't let me hear
that from you-pity me, pity mel"
He tried to break her intolerable
clasp, but she fought back to him. Abb
ruptly she ceased to resist. She just
stared past him. Startled, he looked
where she stared. She whispered:
Some one is behind that curtain
listening!"
The curtain trembled, and she gasped
again: "Lookl"
A shudder OF uneasiness shook him,
but he muttered: Its only a draught
from somewhere
Perhaps it is she answered. weak
~. Il feel all cold" And then she
stared again and whispered: No! See!
And Forbes could descry the muffied
outlines of fingers clutChing the heavy
fabric He hesitatCd 4 moment, then
he moved forward
She put out her arm and STAYED him.
and spoke with abrupt >clf-posSeSSion
mo. il is my place" Then she called
hoarsely: ''Crofts, is that you! Crofts r.
There was no answer, but the talons
seemed 10 grip the shivering arras
tighter. She called again: ''Nichette
Dobbs Who's there"
There was no answer.
Its none of the servants" she whis-
pered Then, after a pause of tremul-
Gus hesitation, she strobe to the cur
tain and hurled it back with a clash of
rings. 1t disclosed Willie Enslee cow
ering in ambush. He held silver-hand-
led revolver in his hand.
A little groan of dismay broke from
Persis' lips as she rushed between
Forbes and the danger, interposing her
body to protect his. Forbes seized her
and thrust her away and leaped toward
Enslee.
But Enslee darted aside and, running
behind a great carved table, covered
Forces with the revolver, and cried, in
a quivering voice, Don't you move or
I'll frep
Forbes smiled grimly at the plight,
and spoke with the calm of the doomed.
"All right, if you want to. It's your
privilege But wouldn't if were you
In the first place, I'm sure you'd miss
you don't hold your revolver like a
marksman"
THE first shot might miss" Enslee