Evening star., 1915-03-07

the crowd "What' gone wrong with Mon
sieur Ingersoll and Yvonne2 They might
have seen the devil out yonder. | must
hurry after them. III hear all the news later
when Peridot comes.
The two girls went with her. For once
feminine curiosity was less potent than
sympathy. Moreover, Tollemaches an
people had terrified them. They shuddered
at the notion Of the solemn procession OF men
carrying limp and heavy body. The mere
sight of such a thing would take the heart
out of them for the evenings merrymaklng.
INGERSOLL had passed the first mill--or
the last--that brides the river, and was
striding through the narrow street leading
to the bridge, when he became conscious of
the force he was eXerting on his uncomplaln-
ing companion.
@I'm sorry, Yvonne," he said, freeing her
arm Immediately. a forgot myself. Really
hardly know what am doing. Am hurt
ing you' Why didn't you tell me9'
He spoke in queer, choking voice which
at any other time would have aroused his
daughters affectionatc solicitude. That
night, however, probably because she too was
in an overwrought condition, she contented
herself by seemingly nonchalant reply.
1T doesn't matter, Dad. A bruise more
or less, after all that we have gone through,
is not of much account"
81 hurried YOU away" he began; but,
greatly to his surprise, Yvonne interrupted
the labored explanation he had in mind.
Il think | understand, Dad, she said.
"Wouldn't it be better tor both OF us II you
left unsaid what YOU were going to say-at
any rate, till the morning? We a1e-how
shall | put it?-somcwhat unhinged by to-
nd
know | am Let me go and see that Mrs.
Carmac is being cared tor. Ill not remain
long, and we can retire soon after supper.
Then, when we have slept, perhaps we shall
wake into new world with nerves not so
exhausted or strained as at this moment.
lngersoll, brooding on his own troubles,
and teverishly eager to snatch his daughter
from soul-racking ordeal, was wholly una
ware OF the passionate tumult vibrating in
every syllable of that appeal. He caught
the sound, not the significance, OF the words
that irritated him.
"Now you are talking nonsense he cried.
You cannot possibly know what course
have decided on. 1t is this: loathe the
sensational element attached to such an
event as the rescue we have taken part in.
To avoid this, you and are going to Paris by
the early train tomorrow. Lorry is coming
too. He is delighted at the prospect of the
outing.
"Poor Lorry!" said Yvonne.
"Why poor Lorry'? He is only too
pleased at being invited"
But, Dad, he doesn't know what you and
know"
a sudden terror fell on Ingersoll. what
do you meano" he murmured hoarsely, stop
ping short as though he had been struck by
an invisible hand.
During a few fateful seconds father and
daughter stood in the center OF the four ways
| that meet SO soon as the road from Paris
crosses the Aven. No one was near The
eternal plant of the river was drowned by
the fierce wind whistling under the caves Of
| the old houses with high pitched roofs, and
singing an anthem OF its own around the
pierced sprc of the neighboring church.
Yvonne placed her hands on her fathers
shoulders, and her sweet lips qujvered in an
irresistible rush of agonized emotion.
Dad" she said, striving vainly to keep
her utterancc under control, "if you-wsh
Ito 90 to Paris tomorrow--I-shall not try
to dissuade YOU. But 1-cannot come
with you. dare not! You see-I have just
found my nother-and-she may be dead
tomorrow. Oh, Dad, Dad No matter how
my mother may have erred--or what wrong
she may have done you in the past-I cannot
abandon her now"
CHAPTER " The Lifting of the Veil
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