The Washington herald., 1915-05-28

blooded artistocracy, and knew that if
help were to come, it would not be from
the only extant scion of that time-hon-
ored family. She kept her eyes glued
ever on his face, paralyzed with fear.
and thought, as she fancied his express
sion turn to more its usual cast. that her
perilous position was affecting her rea-
son. She felt she could not hold out
much longer now-felt, indeed, that she
had already held out much longer than
even the strength of her 1.-the young body
warranted-felt herself momentarily
growing weaker and weaker, and her first
tense grip on the protruding twig gradu-
ally relaxing. as her hand became numb.
Her plight. however, was not affect
ing her reason, as she thought when
she was aware Of his change of ex-
preston: the change was actual, and
due to the fact that his ear had caught
the sound of approaching footsteps
along the hard, narrow path. These
footsteps became more and more dis
tinct, until a man appeared around
the bend in the trail. This man was
Paul Reed. He soon rescued her from
her dangerous position.
VIII.
Yes, Paul"
You haven't forgotten, Ann"
She was silent. with bent head.
What could she say? How have the
heart to make him suffer? Even il
she did-even IL she could force her
self to be cruel enough to tell him
she could not marry him how could
she explain why? Her agreement with
Scott, to keep their marriage secret
for the two weeks before she arrived
at the age Of 25, when her fortune
would not be forfeited. would prevent
LAr xalIi fHr, that ha hxpea
because Scott had been accepted. If
only her silence. her equivocation, was
for the sake of love! But as it was"
He would certainly know that she
couldn't love Scott after yesterdays
episode. so to say Scott was accepted
could only mean that her acceptance
was irrevocable-that they were mar
ried. Her acceptance of Scott's in
junction to be silent. for your sake
prevented that.
Il say, you haven't forgotten, Ann?
You promised you'd let me know. Oh.
Ann. don't you love me?''
His warm. magnetic personality. that
personality which had always made
her fearfully glad now again awoke
in her that feeling of infinite affinity
which no personal effort could over
come.
She looked up at him. her eyes
lQuld ana paln-drawn.
1T can never be, Paul." she said,
half chockingly.
, He was about to ask that fearful
Why" when they became conscious
of a man approaching them. 1t was
Huff.
He came up. hat In hand, and bowinz
respectfully, said to Ann, Miss Logan,
my name is Huff-John Huff; I'm to
bacconist in town. and a creditor of
Alfred Scott's. Not a large creditor-not
nearly as large as some of them-but
then I'm only a small retailer. Scott's
bill has been dragging along now for
over eight months. and I'm anxious to
get it settled. Is there any truth in Mr..
Scott's statement that you will marry
him and pay his debts? He told Inc 30
two days ago. and I want to know
whether there's any truth in it?''
Anita's eyes, soft and tender a mo-
ment ago. dashed with the fury Of q
venEeful goddess.
Did he tell you that7" she queried.
''Yes, Miss"
"Very well. then. Ycr may go. shall
with YOU"
He bowed. and was gone.
Ann had. at this latest revelation Of
her husbands blue blood. forgotten Paul
entirely. She started walking quickly
back. and there was that in her stride
which boded Ill for the last of the Scots.
Paul followed behind. keeping her ever !
In sight. and was surprised when at a
turn In the road she stopped suddenly.
her whole body tense. He came up with |