Evening star., 1914-12-27

may not think so now, but shall. There is
more love for you, more understanding of
you, more real sympathy with you, in a
single beat of my heart than in any of the
false words that little pale-faced chit has
the window, Jermyn. You see? There is a
motorcar coming up the avenue"
He followed her finger. what of it?"
@Who is in it?' she asked.
"There is policeman on the box" he an
swered slowly. "Inside-yes, it's Lisgood
Captain Lisgood."
@The chief constable of Norfolk" she re-
marked. Every well, you have just as long
to make up your mind, Jermyn, as it takes
that motorcar to deposit its passengers in
side this house. AS live, will send Sybil
Cluley to take her trial on the charge of
numbering Aynesworth unless you give me
your word of honor to marry me within two
months! Hesitate, if you like; but every
second means risk. If they come before
you have answered me, then l strike"
7 ACCEPT" Jermyn agreed swiftly. al
will marry you'll promise no more than
that mind-but 1 will marry you if those
are your terms. Remember that Sybil is to
be spared not only the worst, but every
breath of suspicion or annoyance, so far as
lies IN your power.
@She shall be saved from everything
Lucille declared, 4from everything
There was a moments silence Jermvn
had turned half away. Suddenly Lucille
moved little closer toward him. Her
voice, her tone, even her bearing, were sud-
denly different. Her face seemed Younger;
her eyes were shining.
"Jermyn,' she whispered, "some dav or
other, believe me, l shall be able to make
you forget this morning. 1t is only because
you are little mad that l have ventured
what have ventured. If had believed in
your love for her, or her love for you, be-
lieved in it whole-heartedly, l should have
saved her for you-indeed l would. I'd
have been just like one of that other poor
army of fools, who cut out their own happi-
ness from their heart for the sake of the man .
they love. But it wouldn't have been of any
use, Jermyn. If this all seems theatrical to
you, and foolish, and wicked, try and be-
heve that it is only because the circum-
stances themselves are so wonderful. We
will save little Sybil Cluley, and she shall
go back to the profession she loves, and
am quite sure that presently she'll settle
down happily enough. She can have all the
money or the social recognition she wants.
Well make it up to her. And, Jermyn, even
if you don't believe it now, l shall teach YOU
to forget her, Dear. l shall teach you to
feel in your heart that there was Provi-
dence even in this terrible happening"
She had come quite close to him now.
Her head was lifted to his, her beautiful eyes
were seeking to draw some answering light:
her lips were little parted, her breath al
most was upon his cheek He caught her
hands and held them in grip of iron; but
he held her from him.
Lucille he said, @I have accepted your
bargain. Don't misunderstood my accept
ance. have listened without protest to all
that you have said about Sybil; but to me .
she is the one woman in the world l have
lived life of which such men as Lakenham
make sport. l am one of those primitive
fools who believe in loving only once. l
never cared for anyone before l cared for
Sybil; l have never told a woman that l
cared for her; l don't believe that l have
ever looked at woman as though l cared
for her. gave Sybil my whole heart, and
she will have it until the end. l shall marry
you to save her from the shadow of disgrace
1 can't see that you II get much out of it. l
promise nothing beyond the bare fulfilment
of that contract
She raised his hand to her lips. GThev are