, 1915-07-29

"0h yes, to be sure.l he said smooth
ly. "An a part of the game! And
that-that is-all?"
Lucene faltered. shrank, could not
meet his searching eyes.
THAT" she said despairingly-"that
is-alli''
Wainwright went slowly toward his
wife. There was something COMPEL
ing In his aspect, something tina beat
upon her heart and bent 1t to his will.
despite her struggle against him.
Blindly she saw an imperative gesture
from Andrew. bidding her go. She
gave no heed to it. Her whole soul
was absorbed by the man she loved,
who came close to her. and looked
down on her with eyes that searched
within the innermost recesses of her
soul.
Look at mel he commanded. She
made 10 answer; only stood downcast
before him, tremulous, longing, fear
fully reluctant. Look ut mel" Again
the command smote her, moved her
strangely to obedience. despite every
thing.
"Lucene!" Once again, his voice was
wholly masterful. Look at mel"
Then, at last, she yielded her eyes to
his, and the piteous sacrifice in those
depths taught him something of the
ghastly truth that lay beneath her sur
face reluctance.
He went to the door leading into the
hall and called sharply:
Marshall, Marshallr' There came
an indeterminate sound that he trans
lated into al answer. Bring Creegan
here!' was his command.
A moment later the detective ap-
peared with a manacled thief at his
side.
''Take off the h~andcuffs,' VAIN
wright directed briskly.
After one glance at the set face
Marshall obeyed the order. Then
Wainwright spoke again. to the pris-
oner:
"Creegan, my wife tells me tina she
and you had planned to go away to-
gether."
"That's right, gov'nor."
Wainwright turned his eyes full on
his wife, and spoke easily, almost lack
adaisically:
well, here she is, Creegan. Take
her-and go!'
The thief stared wonderingly.
~"Sure-sure!'' he exclaimed.
Wainwright nodded toward Creegan
and then looked toward his wife.
Come, Gomez he exhorted. There's
your man. Take him and be Off" He
went to her, took her hand, drew her
forward. and placed her hand in that
Of the thief, holding the two together.
The touch of the ruffian's hand on hers
broke the bonds of her self control.
She drew away with a shril cry of
horror.
mo, no, mol" she repeated fiercely.
II can't, l can't, l can't?'
'Lucene!" Walnwright's voice was
surcharged with tenderness.
But the woman was become gen
uine now-self sacrifice forgotten I'M
der the driving of natural repulsion.
"Oh," she cried despairingly. I'm
go; yes, 1 will gol But not with him
not with himl Oh, l couldn't; no, l
couldn'ti Td-rd kill myself firstI"
Suddenly a smile curved the lips Of
Wainwright.
81 thought sor' Without any haste
he turned to Marshall. Take him
awayl" he directed. with a curt nod
toward the thief.
"I'll keep him safe, no fear!" the de-
tective Joined.
But Wainwright shook his head.
mo, not that" he commanded. Turn
him loose-let him goi'
AS the two disappeared Lucene ut
tered a broken cry and sank to the
floor, budding in helpless weakness.
As she fell Wainwright leaped to her,
caught her in his arms. drew her to
his breast.
"Oh, my dear-my dear!" he said
TREMENDOUSLY. 81 knew It'll Yes; l
knew itr'
Then presently there came a whisper
from the wife. a merest breath of
sounda which told him loudly Of her
truth:
"Oh, Cprtland, but l meant to gor'
For theASime being Wainwright felt
himself the conqueror. He understood
in some measure the device by which
the Master Mind had plotted to make
Lucene the hstrument Of his venge-
ance. He turped to Andrew with a
auntIa 90 aw,lk 49,, - a. ,N&a- At,