The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1915-08-26


enough Of happiness In the vosia-so
little that when 1t ceDas II sAoulA b
welcomed. even hy thsss who oay not
share in it."
And I bent nearer a.l Whispered The
truth.
"Sylvta!" murmursA the young
countess. incredulously. "A sDy! And
she brings this-this shane "a mel"
Sylvia turned. standing anstsaAily.
For . long time they looked at each
other in silence. their eyes vet with
tears. Then Eyre lifted 6ylvtas hand
and kissed 1t. and LED her away, elos.
ing the door behind.
The countess still stood in the 60.
ter Of the room. transaxed. rigid. star
ing through her tsars At the closed
door. With . deep drawn breath she
Strengthened her shoulders: her head
dropped: she covered her face with
clasped hands.
What have l done?" she cried.
brokenly-"what have I done that this
shame should come upon met"
You have done nothing" said.
neither for good nor evil In this
crisis. But Sylvia has: Sylvia the
SPY. That . man should give up his
life for = friend IL good: that . woman
offers hers for her country 10 better.
She has done her duty: the sacrifice
10 still burning: l pray It may spare
her and spare him"
The countess looked at me scoruful-
ly. Il think that We are not fitted to
understand each other"
1T remaips." said. "for me to thank
you for your kindness to us al, and for
your generosity to me in my time Of
need. It 10 quite useless for
me to dream Of repaying 1t.
shall never forget It. ask
leave to make my adieux, madame"
She flushed to her temples. but did
not answer.
Az I stood looking at her, q vivid
fare 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. hub
bub Of voices swelled into q roar; then
the outer doors werS flung back and q
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. strobe Buckhurst.
. red sash tied across his breast. his
colorless eyes like diamonds.
Speed and Jacqueline came hurrying
through the hall to where stood:
Buckhurst's smile was awful az 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 glimpse of US.
"Buckhurst," 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
with perfect composure.
! He turned and addressed Us, suave
ly. bowling with horrid. mock defer
ence to the countess:
I'm the name Of the commune! The
ci-deyant Countess de Vassart Ia &C
cused Of sheltering the individual Scar
lett, late inspector Of imperial police;
the individual Speed. ex-inspector oi
imperial gendarmes; the individual
Eyre. under general suspicion; the
woman called Sylvia Elven, 4 German
spy. As war delegate of the com
mune. l am here to accuse!
Il accuse the woman Sylvia Elver
of communication with Prvssiar
agents; Of attempted corruption o
soldiers under my command. accus,
the cheyenne Eline Treoourt, late
ly known as the Countess de Vassart
of aiding, encouraging and abettinI
these enemies Of France!"
He waited until the short, fierce vel
of approval had died away. Then:
Call the soldier Rolland!" he said.
My heart began to hammer in m,
throat. Il believe It's going hard witt
u.s." l muttered to Speed.
; Listen" he motioned.
listened to the wretched crsasur
ROLAND while he told what had IA,
, pened at the semaphore.
You say he bribed you? asks
Buckhurst, gently.
Yes; I've said II twenty umer
I haven't II"
And you took the bribes!"
t The wretch laughed outright.
And you believe that you daseev
we'll Of the oonmune?" smiled Bucl
e hurst.
!, The soldier grannsd and opened hi
mouth to answer, and Buckhurst ste
" him through the face; and, as he fol
8 shot him again, standing wreathed !
q the smoke Of his own weapons.
Il think" said Buckhurst, in a plea,
: antly persuasive voice, that there wi
r be no more bribery in this battalion.