The Washington herald., 1914-03-29

were the young husband and his bride,
| in white. They had spoken together in
rapid undertones while the other trans
actions were carried on. Now, draw
ing from her handbag crisp roll, Mrs.
Holm held out her husbands ransom
to Charles Captain. He took the roll,
! but
Il am extremely sorry to hear" said
| he. "of your recent miSfortunes"
81 have nothing" she said despairing-
ly. "A little sum of ten pounds or so
/ in my pocket, and-how am | to get
him away with that? God help mep
A. flush swept slowly up over Cap
tain's face. He stood considering them
with little wistfui irony
You do not suppose that in the Cir
cumstances l wish to hold you to our
agreement"
He returned the notes.
"No! Nor cried Holm, starting.
mo- No" she stammered, but love-
ly JOY and relief dawned in her eyes.
Yes! Yes" said Captain, his per-
emptoriness tempered by a curious soft
ness as he looked at her.
white. Well, why should be ashamed
wears white" He laughed at himself.
He opened the door for them.
Good luckw
They left him He collected the bank
notes on the table-eighty thousand
pounds-locked the room, found. nearer
Victoria, taxicab, and was driven TO
Emperor's Gate.
Anna Stuart sat upon her green
divan. Her gown was white. and 1t
clung around her; her little satin shoes
were white; the darkness OF her hair
made mystery against a dimly lit back
ground. She raised first one eyebrow
inquiringly, then the other in a little
subtle way she had, smiled with her
eyes-they being more unmanageable
than her lips-and asked:
Il suppose you have come with some
news, Charles?
Il have come with the news l prom
ised your majesty"
The incorTigible laugh was in his eye
as he gave her the title. The triumph
that he kenw so well burned in hers.
Tell me the whole story instantly.
She leaned forward, quivering and
flashing, to hear The young man,
standing before her, told it with some
dramatic power, and with, at the close,
a certain reservation.
Your majesty is pleased?
"My good Chafles, am pleased with
you. And the money, OF course, is to
the amount we specihed?"
He now withdrew the certain reser-
vation.
81 have eighty thousand pounds
forty thousand from Denesanton. forty
from Mount. 1t is here He tapped
his breast.
A little light dropped out OF her face.
1T was to have been a hundred thou
sand altogether. Where is the twenty
thousand for-I do not remember
names-the other man."
He told her with extreme brevity,
and respect tinged with irony for her
appetite.
She sat swaying a little, and grew
pale.
You betrayed my trust she said,
very slowly. You have defrauded my
war chest of twenty thousand pounds
What do l care for this woman and her
affairs?
Where is your heart" he said soft
ly. and he looked at her dangerously.
She rose, walked the floor, and burst
out al him in a torrent of anger.
Heart! Heart! l have no heart! |
am all head! Who are you? Scum
hat | took from the gates of Portland
upon! You take my commiSsions-you
play me false How do | know what
YOU have done with twenty thousand
pounds? 1t may be you w-=e not sat
isfed with your rate OF commission.
have Just your word for it that you
gave it back! Your word-a criminal'sl
A criminal and false servant y
The young man went 10 her as she
paced about. took both her wrists in
one hand. gripped a fold of her bodice.
too, where it fiuttered above her heaving
breast. so that both the wrists were held
back there He looked at her and smiled
a little. Again silence fell between
them. He led her over TO a small table
covered with silver bric-a-brac- This
he swept aside with his free
hand so that it fell with tiny crashes
upon the floor. and the table top was
bare The table was beautiful. No
natter He laid down eighty thousand
pounds in notes upon it, took out his
match box. by deft manipulation struck
, match. and lighted the FIRE. He held
ler there to watch. Not a sound
passed between them till the last fame
lied out
You look pale" he said, releasing
ler. Sit down
She nearly fell upon the divan. He
vent slowly to the door.
Charles" he heard behind him,
where are you going?"
He looked round, without coming
Jack
With your majesty's permission,
hink to America for a few weeks"
"To-America? But-but l may
want you here"
q do not think" said Mr.. Captain,
that | am in favor at court. l shall
20 to America for a short time
He reached the door.
"CharlesI' he heard again behind
lin.
He looked round, and she had risen,
nd he saw now Just woman in white,
ovely and appealing.
Charles, | was. no doubt, hasty. l
wish you to sit down and talk over
our plans with me. L am sure that l
vas hasty. You-you-are "a good
ervant. l may not have been-right."
But your majesty can do no wrong"
aid he, and he left her lightly.
The white girl wept upon the green
Ivan.