The Press., 1916-08-24

demanded fierceiy. "Jack,~ she said in voice suddenly weary, 'Iet us be frank with each oth- CT. You want your freedom. Am I right?'
 "You are dead wrongw he retorted doggedly.
 But EcariateT' Her voice dropped to a whisper.
 We will not talk of her."
 And those that came before Fear late," she went on, while the haunting music made a background for her pas sionate words. "I have overlooked, have forgiven. and now it is Ecarlate. You love her. You dare not deny it!"
 Again he was silent. He looked at her, noting. with a shock of surprise, that there were silver threads in Eyes dark hair and lines about her mouth and eyes-lines that he had graven there. Eve was only twenty-five. and he was killing her youth.
 Suddenly she drew a long breath.
 'what is 1t about these women that attracts you? What charm do they possess that is not mine?" Still he did not answer.
 She swayed little and turned away.
 @Ecariate is here! I am sending her to your
 "Ecarlate here? You are mad!' he exclaimed. But the gentle closing of the door sent him quivering to a chair.
 The music played steadily on-that eternal butterfly dance. He began to hate 1t. 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 fa- 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, panting little, as if afraid.
 Dacre laughed triumphantly. Ecar- late afraid of him. her adorer!
 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 f1oated: her chiffon wings beat the air: the jeweled band above her forehead blazed with myriad lights; the cactus flower famed like a burning heart.
 Suddenly the music ceased, and the dancer was once more leaning against the white door of Eyes dressing room. Through her black mask her eyes gleamed strangely.
 Dacre clinched his hands. Ecarlate, standing there with outstretched scar let winged arms. appeared like 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 olaCA hdlI "ltu ltS udIZlilS udiu ol brilliants.
 Suddenly he remembered that his wife's hair was black, but 1t was threaded with silver. He had placed the silver threads there.
 He laid his hand on Ecarlate's arm. His voice was hoarse with resolve.
 Allow me to pass" he said.
 She laughed. a merry, trickling, mocking laugh that ended suddenly in a sob of pain.
 His hand had closed on her tender flesh.
 "wilI you let me passY' he asked through clinched teeth.
 You love mer she whispered tensely.
 lie was silent.
 Say you love mer' she repeated. He lifted his hand and deliberately tore aside the mask.
 For several minutes he stared at Eeariate's face. How many times had he yearned to tear away the mask and feast his eyes on her unknown loveli- ness.
 It was face such as he had never imagined in his widest dreams of her. Suddenly she covered it with little jeweled hands. Then he spoke.
 Il love your he cried vehemently. '.I have always loved you! It was be- cause you were behind the mask that loved you. and you aloney'
 She melted into his arms. and he held her there.
 Ecarlate no longer barred the door to his wife's room. She was in his arms. His wife was In his arms.
 His wife was Ecarlate Ecarlate was his wife