The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-09-01
CHAPTER xIV-Continued.

Once past the sentries, the spahi
turned into one of the quieter avenues
leading to the barracks. He had not
decreased his speed, and his horses
hoofs struck a metallic, ominous music
out of the cobbled roadway. Colonel
Destinn heard it and it seemed that
another sound had caught his atten-
ton, for he went to the window and
stood with his hand on the clasp, his
head bent. Something rustled-some
thing white flashed out from between
the trees and came gliding hurriedly
toward him.
Sylvia" he muttered.
She almost flung herself into his
arms, clinging to him with a child's
panic, and for the moment that he held
her their shadows were sharp cut
against the light. Then he half
dragged, half carried her into the room
and closed the windows. There were
heavy curtains on either side, and he
dragged them across. Save for the
soft Jingle Of his spurs and her own
quick breathing there was no sound.
from her white face.
"Where have you come from?"
From the Cercle. Desire left me.
don't know where he went to-but I
ran here"
''I have watched FIVE nights for you"
Il knew. 1t has been awful-the
temptation, the fear, the uncertainty.
Every night 1 tried to make up my
mind one way or another, but I
couldn't. 1 seemed to have lost hold.
Oh''-her white baby hands clutched
at his dolman in helpless despair-"oh,
what have you done-what have you
done?"
Il was very brutal" He led her
gently to an armchair far from the
window and stood quietly beside her.
his hand still holding hers, his eyes
turned from the bowed head to the dis
ordered table. as though seeking a
memory. 'Some men are born brutal
some become brutal through habit,
Sylvia. / have seen life too long from
my deliberately chosen standpoint to
change And then meant there should
be no illusions-either for you or me-"
Il have none," she broke out bitter
iy; ';they are all gone. l would not
have come to you tonight If you had
not made me see my own worthless
ness"
Il knew that You would have played
on the safe side of the game and
called 1t virtue
Paul, how cruel you are!'
''Y"t-you love me, don't your
- looked up at him with yelled
wis.,. Ill eyes.
''Ycs-I believe I do. You are the
one real thing left me-the one real
thing of my whole life | have been
fed on illusions, my own and other peo-
pies. They thought because l was
bcautiful-more beautiful than most
women-that was also better differ
ent. And l believed so, too. From our
second meeting l knew that you had
seen me-the real me-the foolish,
selfish, vain, shallow child. And at
first l was frightened, angry, fasci-
mated against my will, and then-in-
tensely, unutterably grateful"
He bent over her and lifted her to
her feet.
You have been honest" he said. in
q changed tone. THAT is all wanted.
We wear masks-every one Of us-and
| mine. l am not absolutely a devil.
It's hard to believe, | suppose, but
there was a time when l was fond of
all sorts of unlikely things-fowers
and music. and men and women-and
children His hands released hers.
and he walked restlessly to the table,
where he stood moment in silence.
his back toward her, his head bowed
This is u miniature of my SON." he
said abruptly. She came softly across
the room and took it from him. There
was a moment i'll which they seemed
IN pass out of each others conscious
ness. Then she looked up timidly. His
head was still bowed, and the sharp
cut indomitable profile gave her no
clue. no indication.
He died?" she said almost in Il whis-
per.
NO, IL WIS wle died" He straight
eDed up !ik" ! man shaking off