The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-10-06

which, until that instant, she had look
ed In vain-but Ii was a mans wonder
OF woman now, utter and absolute and
all enveloping. She caught her breath
then. She touched her lips with a
dainty tongue as though they had gone
dry Of a sudden. Involuntary she
stepped toward him, that single pace
which she had fallen away. And
above the tumult of her own senses
she heard herself trying to laugh and
realized how unsteady the effort was.
'Then you do forgive me?" she
breathed. do I-pass inspection? Do
you like me-in my masquerade?"
"There was never need of a fairy
godmother for you" he told her, his
voice grave. There was never need
of transforming miracle You have
been that always yourself. And you
are not permitted to ask forgiveness
from me nor pardon. Men do not ad-
NIT that there can be need of that
where they have worshiped as long as
| have worshiped you. You knew /
was coming I've been coming ten
years now. But you can never know
either how long ten years can be-"
The words We're blurred as far off
echo in her ears. She started to speak,
but all that she would have said caught
In her throat and hurt her, and only
her unsteady breath came from parted
lips. But when at her inarticulate eff
fort at speech he bent his head to her
swiftly uphung face her whole slender
body frightened at the rough contact of
blue flannel against her cheek. Almost
before they held her she struggled
madly from the circle of his arms.
White of face, white of lip, she broke
away from him and darted through
the gap in the hedge only to shrink
back against him in panic the next In
slant before the black shape upon a
blacker horse between her and the
lights.
He was gazing in their direction-the
man upon the horse. He was laughing
softly. And when he thrust back the
black cowl that hid his face and began
to speak Stephen O'Mara recognized
that terribly pale, terribly drawn face.
Garry Devereau rocked little In the
saddle and waved a gracefully un.
steady hand.
Blessings, my Children he called to
the two I'm the shadow, and his tongue
was not thick, but only wavering. my
Fluctuations. And, cen though know
not your identity, still l may sense
your fond confusion. And yet why
blush, dear unknowns? 'Tis in the air
tonight. Even | myself have yielded
to spirit of frivolity. Two hours ago
appeared masked in these dingy vest
ments as Loves Young Dream, but
with me the mood has passed. Fellow
romancers, you have witnessed meta
morphosis. You are now gazing upon
the Wrath of God about to thunder
forth upon coal black. charger.
merely paused to bid you haste inside
lest you miss the crux of the evening
When | withdrew the Hon. Archie was
already searching with bravely con-
cealed distraction for the fair daughter
Of tile house. The hour has struck.
It's masks off-masks OFF from eyes
and hearts,"
He laughed again. White face
whittier still against the background of
his somber vestments. debonair and
drunkenly insecure in the saddle, Gar
ret Devereau tore out into the main
road and Numbered off into the night.
is that true?" Steve asked quietly.
She made no move to answer.
rs that true?" his low and gentle
voice commanded this time. you still
mean to-marry-him?"
what | have done tonight | can
never hope to explain" she answered,
recovering herself. Il can only hope
that some day may cease to despise
myself as utterly as you have taught
me to at this minute, And since you
choose to regard 1t now as your right
to ask that question I'll answer it for
you. l mean to marry him. shall
be proud to be his wife"
The light that streamed over her
shoulder fell full upon his face. She
saw the blood pour up, staining throat
and cheek and brow. and then ebb
away. She gave him time to answer,
but he did not speak, and suddenly she
knew what scene Of another day he
was remembering. Her eyes dropped
to her imprisoned hand.
"You are OBTAINING me-" she said.
He released her Immediately. and yet
she did not move. And while she wait
ed he turned and stopped and turned
to her again. She stood like stone
while he wrapped her fur edged
sapphire cloak about her and fas-
tened ii close beneath her uptilted
chin. He waited. bare of head, in the
hedge gap until she had crossed the
lawn to the house that lay sprawling
glowworm in the darkness. A tumult
Of voices leaped out to him when he
opened the door-a lifting crash of
syneopated melody. And then it was
quiet again.
After a glimpse of his chiefs eyes
that night Fat Joe essayed not so much
as one facetious protest against turn
ing the tagged team homeward with
scarcely any rest at all. He remained as
ouIet as that too quiet man beside him.