Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-07-06
"Youf" he stammered-
Eyes. II was all rather stupid, wus
n not? Always executing Ecarlater'

graph. ST. ST. ped in u record. set u
In motion AMI returned 10 lean ovel
the back OF her char. looking at bel
husband with grave dark eyes. while
the tender strains OF Ecarlates dance
rose and fell
what are you doing that forf" HI
demanded 1ercely.
"Jack." she said In IA voice suddenly
weary, 'let us be frank with each 9th
or. You want your freedom. Am
rightT
"You are dead wrongi" he retorted
doggedly.
But Ecarlate?" Her voice dropped
to q whisper.
I'VE VIII not talk OF her"
"And those that came before Ecar
late" she went on, while the haunting
music made background for her pas
sionate words. II have overlooked,
have forgiven, and now IL is Ecarlate
You love her. You dare ND deny I'll"
Again he was silent He looked al
her. noting. with "A shock of surprise
that there were silver threads In Ewes
dark hair and lines about her mouth
and eyes-lines that he had craven
there. Eve was only twenty-five. and
he was killing her youth.
Suddenly she drew long breath.
what Is IL about these women that
attracts your What charm do they
possess that is not miner"
Still he did not answer.
She swayed little and turned away.
"Ecarlate is here | am-sending her
TO you
"Ecarlate here? You are madp' he
exclaimed But the gentle closing of
the door sent him qnivering to a chair.
The music played steadily on-that
eternal butterfly dance. He began to
hate It. What was Ecarlate doing
herein his house? 1t was like a
Jealous woman TO take revenge, but he
had believed Eve above such trickery.
Ecarlatei
The repetition OF her name. the IA
miliar music, and again the old en-
chantment fell upon him. He watched
the door FOR her appearance. What
would she look like? Beautiful, OF
course! He forgot that Eve would ac-
company the dancer
He jumped up when the door slowly
opened to admit Ecarlate's scarlet clad
form. She was alone.
The door closed and left her leaning
against the white paneled surface.
painting little. as IL afraid
Dacre laughed triumphantly. Ecar-
late afraid Of him, her adoreri
He made one step toward her, but
In that instant she left the door and
swayed like a butterfly In the mazes
Of her dance. Delicately she poised
before him. and then. before his out
stretched hand could touch her, she
had melted away beyond his reach
Her tiny scarlet shoes seemed TO
barely touch the floor; she fioated: her
chiffon wings beat the air: the jeweled
band above her forehead blazed with
myriad lights; the cactus flower famed
Nike burning heart
Suddenly the music ceased. and the
dancer was once more leaning against
the white door of Ewes dressing room.
Through her black mask her eyes
cleaned strangely
Dacre clinched his hands Ecarlate.
standing there with outstretched scar
let winged arms. appeared like a scar
let angel barring him from his wife's
room.
He stared>at her smiling lips. at the
alluring sparkle OF her eyes peering
oddly at him through the mask, at her
black hair with its dazzling band of
brilliants
Suddenly he remembered that his |
wffes hair was black, but IL was
threaded with silver He had placed |
the silver threads there.
He laid his hand on Ecarlates arm.
His voice was hoarse with resolve.
ALLOW me TO pass" he said.
She laughed, a merry, trickling. |
hooking laugh that ended suddenly in
! sob Of pain.
His hand had closed on her tender
1esh.
"Will you let me passY" he asked
through clinched teeth.
you love me" she whispered tensely.
he was silent.
Say you love mep' she repeated.
He lifted his hand and deliberately
ore aside the mask.
For several minutes he stared at
ccariate's face. How many times had
Re yearned to tear away the mask and
east his eyes OF her unknown lowell
essl
1t was a face such as he had never
imagined In his widest dreams of her.
Suddenly she covered II With little
eweled hands.
Then he spoke
Il love your he cried vehemently.
| have always loved you'll 1t was be-
ause you were behind the mask that
loved you. and you aloner'
She melted into his arms. and he held
err there.
Ecarlate no longer barred the door
his wife's room. She was in his
rms. His wife was In his arms.
His wife was Ecarlate. Fcariate
as his wife J
Cleanliness an Asset. :
Dust Is a parasite that eats into
0Afa nop1f ehroxu |