The Arvada enterprise., 1915-04-22


little that when 1t comes 1t should be
welcomed. even by those who may not
share in it,
And bent nearer and whispered the
truth.
"Sylvia!" murmured the young
countess, incredulously. "A spy! And
she brings this-this shame on mel"
Sylvia turned. standing unsteadily
For long time they looked at each
other in silence, their eyes wet with
tears. Then Eyre lifted Sylvias hand
and kissed it, and led her away. clos
ing the door behind.
The countess still stood in the cen.
ter of the room. transfixed. rigid, star
ing through her tears at the closed
door. With deep drawn breath she
Strengthened her shoulders; her head
dropped; she covered her face with
clasped hands.
What have done?" she cried
brokenly-"what have done that this
shame should come upon me?"
You have done nothing" said.
neither for good nor evil in this
crisis. But Sylvia has; Sylvia the
spy. That a man should give up his
life for friend is good; that woman
offers hers for her country is better
She has done her duty; the sacrifice
is still burning; | pray it may spare
her and spare him"
The countess looked at me scornful-
ly. Il think that we are not fitted to
understand each other"
| ut remains" said, for me to thank
you for your kindness to us all, and for
your generosity to me in my time Of
need. 1t is quite useless for
me to dream Of repaying it. I
shall never forget 1t. ask
leave to make my adieux, madame"
She flushed to her temples, but did
not answer.
As l stood looking at her. a vivid
flare OF light flashed through the win.
dow behind me. crimsoning the walls,
playing over the ceiling with an in.
fernal radiance. At the same instant
the gate outside crashed open, a hub.
bub OF voices swelled into roar; then
the outer doors were flung back and a
score Of men sprang into the hallway.
soldiers with the red torch-light dane.
ing on rife barrels and bayonets.
And before them, revolver swinging
in his slender hand. strode Buckhurst,
a red sash tied across his breast. his
colorless eyes like diamonds.
Speed and Jacqueline came hurrying
through the hall to where | stood !;
Buckhursts smile was awful as his
eyes flashed from Speed to me.
Behind him. close to his shoulder.
the torch-light fell on Mornac's smooth,
false face, stretched now into a fero.
cious grimace; behind him crowded
the soldiers Of the commune, rifles
slung. craning their unshaven faces
to catch a glimpse OF US.
'Buckhurst." l said, what the devil
do you mean by this foolery?" and l
started for him. shouldering my way
among his grotesque escort.
For an instant | looked into his dead.
ly eyes: then he silently motioned me
back: a dozen bayonets were leveled,
forcing me to retire. inch by inch.
The Countess de Vassart was al.
ready In the hall. facing Buckhurst
l
He turned and addressed Us. Suave.
ly. bowling with horrid. mock defer.
ence to the countess:
In the name OF the commune! The
ci.devant Countess de Vassart " &C.
cused Of shelterins the individual Scar.
lett. late inspector Of imperial police
the individual Speed. ex.inspector OF
imperial sendarmes: the individual
Eyre. under general suspicion: the
woman called Sylvia Elven. 4 German
spy. As war delegate Of the com.
mune. am here to accuse!
Il accuse the woman Sylvia Elven
OF communication with sPruSsian
agents: OF attempted corruption OF
soldiers under my command accuse
the cheyenne ElIne Treoourt. late.
ly known as the Countess dc vnsHart.
OF aiding. encouraging and abetting
these enemies OF France!"
He waited until the short. fierce yell
OF approval had died away. Then:
Call the soldier Rollnnd!" he said.
My heart began to hammer In my
throat II believe It's going hard with
US ! muttcrcd 10 Speed.
Listen" he motioned.
! listened to the wretched crsa,u-s
ROLAND while ne told what had hnv.
pencd at the semaphore.
You say he bribed you'" asked
Buckhurst, gently.
Yes; I've said II twenty t,msa.
haven't ~"
And you took the hribes?"
The wretch laughed outright.
And you believe that you dnServs
well OF the eommune?" smiled Buck.
hurst.
The soldier gr'nnsd and opened his
mouth to answsr. and Huckhurs, shot
him through tho face: and. nm he fc,,.
shot him again. Stnnding wrcnthed n
the smoke OF his own weapons.
Il think" said Buckhurst. In n pleas
antly persuasive voice. that there will
be- no more bribery In this battalion. f"
He deliberately opened tho smoking
weapon: the spent shells dropped one
BY one from tho cylinder. ciinking on
the stone floor.
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