The Holly chieftain., 1916-10-06

Gabrielle glanced af MIN and saw
that he WAS In undress. and that his
uniform WAS stained with dust.
Colonel Destinn" she said slowly.
''the man you have just punished for
speaking to me In my one friend. We
brushed shoulders. as II were. months
arnted us-materiaily and socially.
Now by cllnnce we have met again on
the same level Birds Of feather.
you know. Colonel Destinn. ! too. am
something OF q sca In wag. and the only
virtue OF the species Ii o certain 10y
atty to their kind. ! am here to keep
guard"
keep guardr' he echoed, half pcs
sled. half amused.
HE hns an enemy"
'And You are here a. . sort OF deus
ex machina? Name Of heaven. friend
Of metal! Give me the name OF this
eviIly intentiOned pcrsOn?''
THAT I cannot do. Colonel Destinn.
But ! will make a bargain with you.
.
quencies aud will take my place until
I return. ! will 20 on your errand.
Otherwise ! stay here"
He was silent Q moment. bis hand at
his mustncle: then he looked at her
with Q curious smile.
"You are an unusual little woman.
mademoiselle." He seated himself ON
fka NJ nA
his watch held 1t to the light II give
you ten Minutes" he added.
I'm ten minutes I shall have ~
turned" she answered.
zone thing more. do not wish any.
one to know Of my presence here. II
would cause comment The matter 70
between Madame Arnaud and myself.
You ,nnderstandr'
"Yes-l understand" she assentsd
slowly.
At bend in the avenue she glanced
back for a moment. senrching the dark
ness. Colonel Destinn's aomberly clad
figure was hidden In the black out.
lines Of the trees. but beyond. clean
cut against the silvery plain. she saw
figure. Half satisfied. SHE hurried on.
As she reached the villa Bernotto's
the waltz came to languOrOus end.
md few couples In search Of fresh
air drifted out on to the veranda. Syi.
via Arnnud. with her hand resttuG
tightly on the arm Of young lieuten-
mt. stood at the top Of the steps. her
head thrown bnck little 50 that the
soft reflection from the overhanEtng
lantern flooded down upon her face
and the beautiful white neck.
Gabrielle touched her on the elbow
and she started. "Oh. It's you. Mis0
Smith! I thought What is it7''
Colonel Destinn is in the grove"
was the quiet answer. "He wishes to
speak with you. viii you comef''
"Yes. wait!' She turned careiessly
to her companion. "You will excuse
me. won't your Ny husband has sent
for me-"
A minute later she stOUd at Gabrielle
Smiths side at the entrance Of the
grove. She had completely changed.
r'rhe cOquettish light t-henrtptlness was
gone, leaving her excited and little
breathless. She ginnced uneaslly about
her.
~ believe you are shocked" she said
hurr,etlly ~ had to say 1t was my
husband. And l promised Colonel Des-
tim. 1t Is about Desire-and his pro
motion-a surprise"
Suddenly. with a little choking ex.
ciamation. she stopped and clung to
her companiou's arm. "Aliss Smith
whnt Is thut-don't you see-there In
the light" y
Instinctiveiy Gabrielle threw OF the
terrified hand. She had rec0gnized
Arnaud. He stood In bright patch
which the moon threw between two
great palms on to the sandy avenue.
His hack was toward her. his head
bent, the stoop OF his shoulders. the
whole attitude unmistaknble. She hen I'd
the faint click Of lock being slipped
back, and then he turned and loOked
behind him. In that second his fea.
lures were as visible ms when IineiIxht
Is turned on to the face Of consuim.
mate actor. Capt Desire Arnnud
crossed the avenue and disappeared
like a shadow In the darker shadows
OF the trees.
Sylvia shuddered and then laughed
unstendily.
"How stupid Of me! was really
frightened. But did not want him to
see us. 1t would have been hard to ex.
plain. and he has been 20 strnnge and
ovclts hio lately"