The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-08-24
CHAPTER TX.

VIM i/Ns
EXCEPT that his lirs parted and were
then shut tight as If to restrain an ex-
clamation, he gave no sign OF recognl-
ton. He looked down at the surface
of the rock as II listening to Varneys
whispered though animated talk.
For an appreciable space OF time
Leslie remained leaning against the
balustrAde. AS In the supreme agony
of fear all the blood seemed to nave
gone to her heart, her muscles re-
fused to obey her will. her knees
shook. She expected to fall to the
ground. With desperate effort sne
turned away and, stumbling over the
rich carpets, staggered out onto the
porch.
She stood clinging to a pillar. VIC
tor alive! How had he come to life
again? They had been positive of his
death. She recalled the assurances
given her at the war office over four
years ago as distinctly as tnousn 1t
had been yesterday.
His comrades had seen him speared
She had never heard Of him or from
him since. But she knew there was
no possibility Of a mistake or an 1llu-
sion. 1t was Victor Steele, alive, who
stood within the sacred dome behind
her conversing with her husband.
Her husband-but which Of them
was her husband? Oswald, OF course.
The marriage with the other man was
invalid. Rose barley had told her so.
There could be no doubt about that.
She thought of her son and drew a
deep breath.
she was Oswald's wife, but what
had she been to Sergeant steele! the
blood rushed to her face. She had
borne his name, she had lived with
him three months. Oh, it was wicked,
hideous that fate should have played
her this trick! She cringed with
shame. She put her hand to her brow
and tried to understand what had nap
And what were the two men talking
about-how had they come to know
each other? Victor had recognized her
and denounced her to Oswald. How
did men behave toward women In sucn
circumstances?
She walked unsteadily down the
stems. and then, not feeling quite sure
Of herself. rested against the basin at
which the faithful perform their aolu'
tions before going to the shrine.
She turned toward the porch through
which she had come, and saw Oswald
come out accompanied by Victor
Steele. They descended the steps to-
ward her. She braced herself for the
ordeal. Turning half round she at
fected to be enjoying the prospect OF
the Mount Of olives.
The two men halted beside her. She
did not raise her eyes.
"You look rather pasty, Leslie" be-
gan her husband cheerfully. Rather
stuffy inside there, Ell? l want to In
troduce an old friend of mine-Cap-
tain Steele, Egyptian army. Queer We
should knock up against each other
after all these years in this place OF all
Others This is my wife. Steele"
Leslie turned slightly toward them.
For the briefest instant she raised her
ewes toward Victor's in desperate en-.
treaty. She lowered her lids again and
murmured, How do you do, Captain
Steele? It must have been great
surprise for you to meet each other"
IAN unlikely spot, certainly. Mrs.
Varney."
She Hears the Voice
Of Her "Dead' Husband.
The last time she had heard his
voice was at the London station. when
he babe her farewell that dismal De-
cember afternoon. 1t was slightly
deeper in tone now. She thrilled to
hear It, and the thrill was not unpleas-
ant. She fancied that he had laid =
stress on the words Mrs. Varney.
Yet it was impossible to suppose that
he did not recognize her.
II knew Steele years ago." explained
Oswald, when I was in the army. We
saw service together near Alden. You
remember that awful hole, Steele?
Well, always stick to 1t that you
saved my life. Funny
never spoke about him to you, Leslie.
Wen, you see. it's not because 1 had
forgotten. And so you're in
the Khedive's service now, and got
your cross, lucky beggar! Here,
must introduce you to our s-.ends."
His face was deeply bronzed-in
fact, many OF the Arabs standing by
were fairer than he. The close-cropped
hair about his temples was here and
there flecked with grey. and there
were lines on his face which told OF
pain and privations; but his masculine