Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-09-22

you enjoy the play?"
II went to the Venus" he said frig-
Idly.
Now Mrs. Dacre laughed softly.
1.-THE Venus. of course I, too. was
there"
"Youf" he stammered
Eyes. 1t was all rather stupid, was
It notf Always excepting EcarlateT
He was silent His mouth was
white, and his gray eyes looked cold
and impenetrable.
Eve arose and crossed to the phono-
graph. She slipped In n record, set 1t
in motion and returned to lean over
the back of her chair, looking at her
husband with grave, dark eyes. while
the tender strains OF Ecarlate's dance
rose and fell.
''What are you doing that for?" he
demanded fercely.
"Jack," she said In voice suddenly
weary. 'let us be frank with each 9th
or. You want your freedom. Am
right2'
"You are dead wrongl" he retorted
doggedly.
"But EcarlateT Her voice dropped
to a whisper.
"We will not talk Of her"
"And those that came before Ecar-
late" she went on, while the haunting
music made background for her pas
sionate words. II have overlooked, I
have forgiven, and now 1t is Ecarlate.
You love her. You dare not deny itF'
Again he was silent He looked at
her, noting with a shock of surprise,
that there were silver threads in Ewes
dark hair and lines about her mouth
and eyes-llnes that he had craven
there. Eve was only twenty-five, and
he was killing her youth.
Suddenly she drew long breath.
'What is 1t about these women that
attracts your What charm do they
possess that Is not miner
Still he did not answer.
She swayed little and turned away.
"Ecarlate is herei am sending her
to your
"Ecarlate here2 You are madr' he
exclaimed. But the gentle closing of
the door sent him qulvering to n chair.
The music played steadily on-that
eternal butterfly dance. He began to
hate It. What was Ecarlate doing
herein his house2 1t was like
Jealous woman to take revenge, but he
had believed Eve above such trickery
Ecarlate!
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
counsel He forgot that I've 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.
painting a little, as II afraid.
Dacre laughed triumphantly. Ecar-
late afraid OF him, her adOrerl
He made one step toward her. but
In that instant she left the door and
swayed like 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 noated her
chiffon wings beat the air; the Jeweled
band above her forehead blazed with
myriad lights; the cactus flower famed
like burning heart.
Suddenly the music ceased. and the
dancer was once more leaning against
the white door OF Ewes dressing room
Through her black mask her eyes
cleaned 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 ut her smiling lips. Mt the
alluring sparkle OF her eyes peering
oddly at him through the mask, at her
black hair with its dazzling band OF
brilliants.
Suddenly he remembered that his
wife's hair was black, but It was
threaded with silver. He had placed
the silver threads there.
He laid his hand on Ecarlates arm.
His voice was hoarse with resolve
"Allow me to pass" he said.
She laughed, merry, trlckling,
hooking laugh that ended suddenly In
q sob of pain.
His hand had closed on her tender
flesh.
"WilI you let me pnssT" he asked
through cllnched teeth.
you love mer she whispered tensely.
lie was silent.
Say you love meF' she repeated.
He lifted his hand and deliberately
tore aside the mask.
For several minutes no stared at
Ecarlate's face. How many times had
he yenrned to tear away the mask and
feast his eyes on her unknown lowell
ness!
II was a face such as he had never
imagined in his widest dreams OF her.
Suddenly she covered It with little
jeweled hands.
Then he spoke.
II love your he cried yehemently.
III have always loved you'll II was be-
cause you were behind the mask that
loved you, and you alonep'
She melted into his arms. and he held
her there.
Ecarlate no longer barred the door
10 his wife's room. She was In his
arms. His wife was in his arms.
His wife was Ecarlate. Ecarlate
was his wife.