The Washington herald., 1914-03-10

\ face that Indicated the closed eyes were
glimpsing far. sweet vistas.
1 Phil groaned. groan wrenched from
\ aching depths. and the strong man trem-
bleS with grief His face wore mask
OF tragedy and utter despair. He wruns
\ his hands.
Grace watched him with n gioatfng leer.
II she could but aid climax to her tri-
.umphs by ensnaring the master detect
i've with her wiies, That was all she
lacked. She had fascinated many men
with the black. soroerous depths of her
eyes. Why not Phil Kelly?
| She touched his shoulder and smiled
temptingly Phil pushed her aside, but
she knew that half her purpose had been
accomplished. She thought his love for
Nell was dead. Absorbed In thoughts OF
conquest. she did not notice that Phil
had drawn a pair of handouts from his
pocket. He sprang at her. but Grace
/ lodged behind a curtain and disappeared
through a panel in the wall She es-
capped from the house by secret passages
which she knew well. but Instinct told her
she was being pursued. She ran to the
lodging house and entered her room, but
PhiPs assistants were following. She
eluded them by escaping through a trap
door. a cellar. and underground passage.
and then the flight and pursuit continued
over back porches and through dark al
Iieys.
At last she was safe again. But a vision
had haunted her as she ran. II was the
look OF crushed grief and agony of
soul she had seen In Phirs face as he
stood over Nell Cunard. Strange and
long forgotten sensations. memories that
warmed the aching yoids of her heart,
lfiower-fringed visions she had sought to
Danish crept upon her. Was IL worth
while? She shrugged as IL to sweep away
tormenting thoughts. She must assume
another disguise and have a gay evening
in some brilliant restaurant and chase
away the blue demons
An hour later, seated in a restaurant.
she glanced beyond the rim of flushed
faces and saw Phil enter. In an instant
she knew his keen eyes had penetrated
her disguise. He had traced her. and
she was trapped again. He sat down at
her table and greeted her as n friend.
mo chance this time" he whispered.
House surrounded"
She must fascinate this man, make
slave Of him as she had the others. ''Iow
is baby-face?" she asked demurely.
The quiYer in his face told her the
question had stabbed him. He quavered
before her like crushed, broken man.
She flashed her sorcery upon him.. again
she was the artful siren whose wiles few
men could resist. She threw necromatIc
glances at him and dispensed small. bril-
liant talk with an ease acquired as part
OF her training as a thief.
Was he yielding? She was almost GER
tain he was being ensnared. Did she not
see in his eyes that look of infatuation
that had always meant conquest for her?
Phil drew a little package from his
pocket and handed IL to her. Just a
little present" he mumbIed awkwardIy
Hope you will accept it as "A remem-
brance of me"
At last she was sure OF victory. She
broke the string. unfolded the wrapping.
removed the cover and looked. And as
she looked the flush Of triumph faded
from her face. The box contained a pair
of handouts
Phil's manner had changed abruptly
You didn't really believe | would be so
easily trapped. did you? As ! told you.
there is no chance. The interesting and
brilliant career Of Grace Ward will have
to close. As for Nell Cunard. his voice
softened and grew tender. she has es-
capped from the curse. After ! had taken
her away from that Internal hole Of
Yeen KEGS and brought her home. she
promised me she would never touch il
again. She gave her promise in way
that told me she poured her whole life
and soul and heart into the resolve She
will win. She is young And ! am going
to help her. Guess YOU had better come
along now. My men are waiting outside. I"
She followed him across the hOor. a
limp. scorned and withered thing AT
the door she seized Phirs arm. II want
you to help her" she whispered broken
ly. And I'll help. too-I'n Npray for
her
w-snr-dny's >t"ry-"Into the Foot
hills
Copyright. 1914. by Henry Barrett Cham
berlin