The Washington herald., 1914-07-19

strange, unbelievable" she pied impulsively
reaching out her hands in a wide gesture of ap-
peal toward him. Il know that But il you
would only Investigate You would find that
told the truth when 7 said caught the Princess
on an aeroplane left word that had received
information that led to believe the papers were
in the possession of someone aboard that boat
You know did that. / found the papers and re-
covered them. / was shipwrecked with them upon
a savage island. Hugo Loubeque was also saved
and got the papers away once more. And then
he got them again in China-look into the records
Ask the Chinese Ambassador to investigate a
death"
"An details of your story have been proven
Miss Love-" gravely, sadly answered the cabinet
minister, but there is evidence in your faith
er's favor. What would be the motive for Hugo
Loubeque-
Revenge" she answered quickly. Cant you
sec"
"If it could be proven"
He was interrupted by the entrance of clerk
with a card. The Secretary frowned, then list
ened to the whispered explanation of the man,
slight smile upon his face. He nodded that admit
tance was TO be granted, then turned again to
Lucille.
Mr.. Gibson-formerly Lieutenant Gibson"
Lucille sprang TO her feet, all confusion She
strained toward the door but a great fear vas
holding her back. The last time she had seen her
sweetheart he had rePulsed her, had turned away
from her, and now
Gibson entered quickly, halted abruptly at
sight of the woman he loved standing there, with
the gentle love light in her ewes and the reproach
of maid offended in her form. Slowly, very
slowly as one who would be forgiven vet cannot
hope for that forgiveness, he placed the little,
ivory box in her hands, the box which Hugo Lou
beque had given to him. She looked at him in
quiringly and his lips parted
From Hugo Loubeque with hopes for for
giyeness and felicitation"
Hugo Loubeque!
With trembling fingers she pried open the
delicate lid, then gave sharp cry of disappoint-
ment that was echoed by one of mute admiration
and amaze from the others as. turning the box up
id f,,1 Fan
the floor, every blood red facet darting a thou
sand threats at them. But Lucille's eyes paid the
necklace no heed. Instead they fastened upon q
little slip of paper in the bottom of the box, dirty
and torn, but which she dragged forth with cry
of unutterable Joy, pressing il to her heart in
ecstasy of delight, fairly babbling over it:
Page from Diary of Hugo Loubeque.
In account with General Sumpter Love for
dismissal from West Point and robbing Of
Lucille
Theft committed
She read no farther but, sobbing with the
abandonment of child, placed the page from the
diary in the hands of the Secretary Of War. He
turned il over and over in his hands, light Of
understanding growing in his eyes light which
softened he looked upon the girl who watched
him.
'T see," he murmured quietly. You say, Mr.
Gibson, Hugo Loubeque gave this to you to hand
to Miss Love-?
Yes sir"
eff you do not object, Miss Love-" he said to
the girl, with little knowing smile in the direc-
/
ately before the Board of Inquiry. I think, with
your story and the verifcations I have gathered
of its details it will not only clear your father
but also return 10 the Army young Lieutenant
who had been named Captain al the time this un-
fortunate incident occurred"
Mr.. Secretary"
He still smiled as, embarrassed. she halted
midway toward him. her arms outstretched
though to throw them about his neck
Then I shall return il TO you" he said
quietly. at reads: Account finally cancelled by
Loubeque because no hate is strong enough but
would wither and die in him who knows Lu-
cille?'"
You will excuse me-" he added, after long
pause.
Evidently. important cabinet officer though
he was, the Secretary expected no answer for
he did not glance back the couple, who
forgetful of etiquette TO ignore his
question. But Lucille had her arms close, close
about the neck of Richard Gibson. and that young
man was only mindful of his burden at the mo-
ment.
CHAPTER XXXXXvI.
Concerning Ghosts.
At his desk General Sumpter Love smiled as
the murmur of two voices came to him. His eyes
closed wearily and his head sank forward upon
his chest, victim of dreams-dreams of the
long ago. 1t had been hard, giving up to
other this daughter whom he had only Just
gained. And yet-and yet-there was another Luz
ciIle-
"LuciIIe!".
His arms were outstretched toward the vision
his lips. from his overburdened heart, wakened
him with start.
You called. Father?"
Lucille's arms were about his neck. Just they
had been about his neck that other time in Ma
Mia when she coaxed his consent TO her marriage
to Gibson. And Gibson, with the straps of
Captain, was standing once more in the doorway.
His hand rose to pat the rose petal cheek OF
her. Then his fingers encountered the necklace
about her throat, the necklace of rubieS which
the Washington papers had decanred upon so
in (heir accounts of the romantic
postponed wedding. As though he had struck
snake, his hand recoiled.
"Loubeques necklace - he muttered.
The about his neck frightened. The
cheek was pressed against his own
Poor, poor Hugo" she murmured. Poor,
poor man who did not know there was no room
for hate in world that might be filed with
love. Poor, poor man."
81 think, sometimes" she murmured dream
Ily, 81 hear his voice as / heard il when he suf-
Tered gladly for me-when he nursed me-out
there in the open boat-without water-food-
always is it kind and gentle"
General SumPter Love turned away. His eyes
had suddenly become moist. Captain Gibson pIt
MS hand gently upon the shaking shoulder of his
wife.
The three were silent. There was no room
'or words. Ghosts were all about-whisperng,
soothing ghosts that would not be allayed-
ghosts that danced merriy through the leaping
lanes of the CRATE fire, that winked from the