The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-15
BY Eleanor Ingraham.

the girl was asking nerSelf, When
the carriage halted with an
abruptness that flung her for
ward In her seat. A sharp COM
mand was still ringing In the air
The road was wider here, and on
1t were halted dozen riders,
closing the way with wall-like
finality.
The leader of the men rode up
alongside the carriage.
II am Stefan Balsic," he an
nounced. Does the name mean
anything to your"
The girl shrank, paling. This
was the man around whom GEN.
tered so many sinister tales, the
brother who denied Michael ever
SO small share of his wealth,
who even interposed his influence
to prevent the younger mans ad-
vancement in army or state. But
she controlled herself.
Since | have travelled from
America to become the wife of
Lieut.. Michael Balsic, naturally |
have heard of his brother" the
girl answered. The afternoon
is almost ended; please let US
pass. This would be a fearful
place at night"
More fearful than you can
guess" he returned Miss War
rem, Michael will not have left
you ignorant that he and l are
enemies. How | knew you and
why l have been awaiting your
coming does not matter. l can
not let you pass to him."
The American girl uttered an
indignant cry, the blood pouring
into her face.
You will not let me pass!
How can you control me? You
have no right, no right"
II have the power" said Stefan
Balsic.
Delight steadied her lips. She
felt pitifully confused. II the
man had been less well-bred, had
spoken roughly or less in the
speech of her own world, this
thing might have seemed grotes-
l quely Impossible.
you force me to turn back,
them" she compelled herself to
speak. very we'll; i cannot re-
sist."
"You have not understood me"
said Stefan Balsic. Il take you
with me. And because there is
no other way you can come with
honor, | take you as my wife. y
Delight gave a low cry. The
proposition was too incrediable.
This was not the 10th century,
but the goth.
Have no unnecessary fear;
you will be a prisoner of war in
my house, no more" he said
gently.
"In-your-house?"
i. "In my house, because you
!, must not carry the weapon OF
your wealth to Michael's."
i "Why?" she cried. "Why?'
IL cannot tell you here. Made
moisselle, this scene before my
men can do no good. You must
come with me-"
There was movement of the
group. Delight saw her driver
and his companion dismount sui
lenly from the box of the car
riage. Two of Stefan Balsic's
followers swung into the vacated
: seats.
. The carriage started. The girl
, recognized herself helpless; con-
fronted by one thing the Ameri-
can woman cannot comprehend
because the American man does
not use it against her: force.
Soon black night had fallen.
Delight could not see the driver
of the carriage, or those riders
whom she heard all about her.
There are few things more trying
to nerves unaccustomed than
continued darkness. Hour after
hour it taught the girl suspense,
evaporation, dread. Finally
there appeared a yellow light
ahead. Delight fixed her eyes,
aching with Darkness, upon it's
welcome relief. 1t grew nearer,
taking the shape of a pointed WIN
dow. Then the cavalcade halted.
Stefan Balsic opened the door
Of the carriage and bade the girl
descend. Dumbly she obeyed.
I'VE are near the Orient" Ste
fan said. mo women are more
chaste than ours, but no conven-
tions more strict. l would not
do you so much wrong as to take
you to my house except as my
wife. The marriage can be an
nulled in your America on your
return. This building is a
church; priest is waiting"
"Where?" she painted, aroused
to hope. Take me to him!"
He looked at her with an un-
Outstanding compassionate rather
than hard, and brought her across
the threshold of the poor little
edifice. A white-haired, white
bearded man moved forward in
the light.
MY father, you will help me?"
she cried. You will not permit
this thing-this crime? will
make your church rich; only keep
me here"
Her wide eyes besought him;
she broke off, expectant. The old
man met her gaze with a smile
of embarrassment, moving un-
easily. To Count Balsic he look
ed with habitual dependence on
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