New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-13

grace of long limbs, exceedingly delicate and
Shapelv. Nevertheless, he moved slightly
so that he stood now in the little ray Of light
streaming out from the room.
Al suppose it was our old friendship that
saved me- he declared. "Do YOU hear
that? They are dealing
From where they stood they could hear
the soft patter of cards upon the green baize
of the table Lucille did not move for a
moment. Her bosom was rising and falling
quickly. there was a storm in her eyes.
"You are clever, my dear Jermyn," She
murmured "Some day, perhaps-wcll, wc
shall see
She walked away and took her place at
the table Jermyn Strolled of into the
shadows OF the garden, threaded a laurel
shrubbery, and stood by the lake. He was
sensitive enough 70 feel keenly the little
scene that had been precipitated upon him,
but at the back of it all the greater happi0c,s
prevailed Life had never seemed so ,p.cn-
did to him as in those few minutes when he
walked in the gardens he loved and ilnally
turned his face toward the house, curous.E
picturesque in its indistinctneSS, with the
lights streaming from every window. The
half-hour was up. In a few minutes Sybd
would be his once more.
LIE entered the house through the library
IL window and watched the game, looking
over Lucille's shoulder. She did not once
glance toward him. Then the door was
opened and the butler appeared, usheriug
in visitor.
~Nlr. Norden Smith, Sir he announced,
"to see the Marquis of Lakenham.
Io+C TO,
He was. as a matter of fact, rather glad Of
the distraction. He was glad too Of so
plausible an excuse for going in and breaking
no that billiard match. which apparently
was still continuing. Norden Smith was
tall, coloress thin American, loosely built,
with a long, intelligent face and high fore
head. He was wearing dinner clothes of
somewhat transatlantic cut, and a small,
precisely tied black bow Jermyn advanced
TO meet him and held out his hand.
"You are a friend of Lakenham'S, | I'm
derstand." he remarked. 81 am very glad
YOU came over. | spoke TO you on the telc-
phone, | think. My name is Annerley
"Glad to meet you, Sir Jermyn AnncrIcN
| am sire" Smith replied. Lord l.aEcu-
ham stayed with us out in New York. and
he made me promise that I'd look him up
if | ever found myself in this country. !
happened to hear by accident tha, he was
staving here; but I've no wish 10 iutruic. /
won't stay longer than just 10 shake hands
with him, if he is anywhere about
"You mustn't think of hurryiug, Jcrmyu
declared Hospitality. Some along and TIT
take YOU to him. He's playing billiards
As Iermyn threw open the door Of The Dill
lard room he stopped at the threshold, Dos
right hand gripping the side Of the door, alb
solutely motionless, bereft for a moment OF
all power of speech, numb, nervelc figure.
The American, looking over his shoulder,
was the first 10 break the silence.
My Godl' he exclaimed. ~What's hap
pened here?"
JERAlYN clutched at his companion and
y drew him into the room. His voice, when
he spoke. seemed to come from a long way
off. He was scarcely conscious that 1t be-
longed to himself.
@Close the doorl" he ordered. I'VE mustn't
let anyone in
Living a yard or two in the room was
Lakenham, fiat upon his back, with one arm
gripping the leg Of the billiard table. as
though he had tried to draw himself up and
failed. Far above him, curling its way t9
the ceiling, lowered a thin blue cloud u