The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-07-21
CHAPTER VIli-continued.

Outside in the quiet street her hus-
band awaited them with the carriage.
He saluted gravely, assisted them into
their places, and in silence they drove
rapidly through the awaking town. A
second carriage. travelling at more
deliberate pace, blocked, the narrow
avenue. and they pulled up sharply be-
meath an overhanging lantern. There
was a subdued rattle of arms. Arnaud
leaned forward.
"Ah, it's you, Goetz! One man is
can trust?''
stand forward-No. 40O5!'
There was a brief silence. Arnaud
rested his chin in his hand and stared
down at the man drawn up stiff1y be-
fore him. The other hand lay clenched
on his knee, and the knuckles stood
out white.
"You heard-No. 1905? You will
keep guard alone here"
Yes"
1T is well. Drive on"
Again the soft clash of steel. Ar
maud dropped back IN his corner. The
light fell on his face for moment, and
Gabrielle Smith saw that he was smil-
ing watchfully at the woman beside
her. Sylvia had not moved. She had
not even glanced in his direction or at
the man to whom he had spoken. Her
lips were still parted in the childish
expression Of wondering anticipation.
and her eyes glistened. Arnaud laughed
and turned away from her.
A moment later they passed out of
the somber shadows into the light, from
the unfathomable eastern hush into the
babble and movement of the West.
Instinctively Gabrielle glanced back
for a moment 1t was as though she
had been lifted suddenly out of a
black, mysterious sea on to fairy
island, and that against the haze of
light she could hear the waves beating
in sullen threatening disappointment.
When she turned again she found that
Sylvia had already vanished into the
crowd, and that she was alone with
Arnaud. He glanced down at her.
Over his pale features there passed
shadow of pity and annoyance.
II am afraid my wife is not always.
very considerate," he said apologeti
cally. "You scarcely know any of
these people"
"I know one or two" she answered.
'In any case like to look on. You are
not to bother about me. l can take
care Of myself"
Eyes. you can take care of yourself"
He nodded moodily. There are not
many of us who can do that much,
Miss Smith. We pretend that we hold
the reins, but it is the devil who
drives" =
"Yes," she admitted. ''our particular
devil"
do you know that? How do you
know"
perhaps have been into the ditch
myself. Captain Arnaud. Perhaps
and then she looked him full into the
face-"perhaps tonight has taught me-"
and then, before he could answer she
turned from him and passed out reso-
lutely on to the veranda.
He did not follow her beyond the
first step. A man in civilian dress had
come out of a lowered alcove. and as
he saw his face Arnaud drew back
with white lips The stranger ap-
peared not to notice him. He limped
out on the veranda, his uneven step
curiously noiseless.
Gabrielle Smith stood with her hands
resting on the balustrade. her face lift
ed to the sky. already siIvered with the
first blush of the rising moon All
was quiet The band had ceased play
ing: the voices behind them had sunk
to vague murmur.
Gabrielle" the man said, scarcely
above his breath, and then louder, with
a note of impulsive Interrogation, ga
brielle!'
She turned and looked at him, and
neither spoke. Whatever surprise or
CONSERVATION there had been in her
face had vanished. Her eyes met his
haggard. bewidered appeal steadily
and sadly. Then she made a slight
gesture-a gesture which seemed to in
0lcate an llSIdHce-dQO
passed down the steps into the dark
ness.
No. 1905 shouldered his rifle and re-
sumed the monotnous tramp back
ward and forward across the narrow
entrance to the grove. He moved rap
idly and from time to time glanced
about him with the straining vigilance
oofS hi, Lon
Southward lay oren country, silver
stretch tCoken by n dark ridge of sand