The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-20

toms letter of credit. She had totally
forgotten its existence. Martha could
not help seeing it. Elsa explained
frankly what 1t was and how it had
come into her possession. Martha
was Mortified.
ELSA, they might have entered
your room; and your jewels lying
about everywhere! How could you be
| so careless"
''But they didn't. I'll return this to
Mr.. Warrington in the morning; per
haps tonight, il see him at dinner
| ''He was in the next room, and we
never knew it," The final hook
snapped in place. well, Wednesday
our boat leaves" as if this put q
/ period to all further discussion anent
Mr. Parrot & Co. Nothing very seri
GUS could happen between that time
and now.
Wednesday night" Elsa began to
sing again, but not so joyously. The
petty things of everyday life were
hfting their heads once more, and of
necessity she must recognize them.
She sat at the consul generals table,
informally. There was gay inconse-
quential chatter, an exchange OF rec.
objections and comparisons of cities
and countries they had visited at sep.
arate times; but neither she nor he
mentioned the chief subject of their
thoughts. She refrained because of a
strange yet natural shyness of a
woman who has found herself: and
he, because from his angle of vision
1t was best that Warrington should
pass out of her life as suddenly and
mysteriously as he had entered 1t.
Had he spoken frankly he would have
saved Elsa many bitter heartache.
many weary day
warrington was absent, and so were
his enemies. If there was any truth
In reincarnation Elsa was confident
that in the splendid days of Rome she
had beaten her pink palms in ap-
plause of the gladiators Pagan; she
was all of that; for she knew that she
could have looked upon Mallow's face
with more than ordinary interest.
Nevermore would her cheeks burn at
the recollection of the mans look.
In her room, later, she wrote two
letters. The one to Arthur covered
several pages; the other consisted OF
single line. She went down to the
office, mailed Arthur's letter and left
the note in Warrington's key box. 1t
N nj i0na 1l,y
she had written to the man in Amer.
lea; but If she had striven toward
that effect she could not have achieved
1T more successfully She cried out
against the way he had treated his
brother, the false pride that had hid.
den all knowledge Of him from her.
Where were the charity and mercy
of which he had so often preached?
Pages of burning reproaches which
scared the soul of the man who read
them. She did not confide the state of
her heart. 1t was not necessary. The
arraignment Of the one and the de.
Tense of the other were sufficiently
Illuminating.
Soundly the happy sleep She did
not hear the removal of Warning
tons luggage at midnight, for it was
stealthily done. Neither did she hear
the fretful mutter of the bird as his
master disturbed his slumbers. Moth. |
ing warned her that he intended to
spend the night on board; that, hav.
ing paid his bill early in the evening, |
her note might have lain in the key
box until the crack OF doom, so far as
he was likely to know Of its existence
No angel of pity whispered to her,
Awake! No dream magic people tell |
about drew for her the picture of the !
man she loved, pacing up and down |
the cramped deck of the packet boat, |
hghting battle compared to which |
that of the afternoon was play. Elsa |
slept on, dreamless.
When she awoke in the morning she !
ran to the mirror-all this fresh |
beauty she was going to give to him,
without condition, without reserva.
tion, absolutely She dressed quickly, |
singing lowly. Fate makes us the hap. |
piest when she is about to crush us.
Usually she had her breakfast |
served in the room, but this morning
she was determined to go downstairs.
She was excited; she brimmed with |
exuberance; she wanted Romance to
begin at once.
Good morning." she greeted the
consul general, who was breakfasting
alone.
We'll, you're an early bird!" he re.
Piled, BY the way, our romantic Par.
rot C Co. have gone"
Gomez" Elsa stared at him.
Yes. Sailed for Saigon at dawn,
and | am rather glad to see him 20.
i was afraid he might interest you too
much. Good heavens. Elsa, what is
the matter?"
mo, no! Don't touch me. I'm not
the fainting kind. Did you know last
night that he was going?"s
Yes"
i shall never forgive you. Never,
never! You knew and did not tell
me. Do you know who Paul Ellison
Is? He is the brother of the man
at home. You knew he was stealing
away and did not tell me-"
She could not have made the truth
any palmer to him. He sat back in
his chair. stunned, voiceless.
i am going to my room," she said.
DO not follow. Please act as If moth