The Pulaskian., 1916-07-28

go myself, but my condition forbids it."
 Gabrielle glanced at him and saw that he was in undress, and that his uniform was stained with dust
 Colonel Destinn," she said slowly. 'the man you have just punished for | speaking to me is my one friend. We brushed shoulders. as it were, months | ago, when three flights of stairs sep arated us-materially and socially. Now by chance we have met again on the same level. Birds of a feather you know, Colonel Destinn I too, an something of scalawag, and the only virtue of the species is a certain loy- atty to their kind. 1 am here to keep guard"
 Keep guard?" he echoed, half pug zled, half amused.
 He has an enemy" And you are here as a sort of deus ex machina? Name of heaven, a friend of metal! Give me the name of this evilly intentioned person?" That 1 cannot do, Colonel Destinn. But l will make a bargain with you. i If you will forget tonights delin- quencies and will take my place until I return, I will go on your errand. Otherwise I stay here" He was silent moment his hand at 1 his mustache; then he looked at her with a curious smile. You are all unusual little woman, | mademoiselle." He seated himself on the root of the tree, and drawing out his watch held 1t to the light. q give you ten minutes" he added
 Tn ten minutes I shall have re- turned" she answered.
 "One thing more do not wish any one to know of my presence here It would cause comment The matter is 1 between Madame Arnaud and myself You understand?'
 ''Yes-I understand" she assented slowly.
 At bend in the avenue she glanced | back for moment, searching the dark. ness. Colonel Destinn's somberly clad | figure was hidden in the black out lines of the trees, but beyond, clean cut against the silvery plain, she saw Richard Farquhar's upright watchful | figure. Half satisfied, she hurried on.
 AS she reached the Villa Bernotto's the waltz came to a languorous end, and few couples in search of fresh air drifted out on to the veranda Syl- via Arnaud, with her hand resting lightly on the arm of young lieuten- ant, stood at the top of the steps, her head thrown back a little so that the soft reflection from the overhanging lantern flooded down upon her face and the beautiful white neck
 Gabrielle touched her on the elbow and she started. "Oh, it's you, Miss Smith! I thought What is itY
 Colonel Destinn Is in the grove," was the quiet answer. "He wishes to speak with you. Will you come?"
 "Yes, waitp' She turned carelessly to her companion. You will excuse me, won't you? My husband has sent for me-"
 A minute later she stood at Gabrielle Smiths side at the entrance of the grove. She had completely changed The coquettish light-heartedness was gone, leaving her excited and a little breathless. She glanced uneasily about her.
 "I believe you are shocked" she said hurriedly. T had to say 1t was my husband. And promised Colonel Des- tim. It is about Desire-and his pro- motion-a surprise" | Suddenly, with little choking ex- clamation, she stopped and chung to her companions arm. Miss Smith what Is that-don't you see-there in the light"
 Instinctively Gabrielle threw off the terrified hand. She had recognized Arnaud. He stood in a bright patch which the moon threw between two great palms on to the sandy avenue. His back was toward her, his head bent, the stoop of his shoulders, the whole attitude unmistakable. She heard the faint click of lock being slipped back, and then he turned and looked behind him. In that second his fea- lures were as visible as when limelight is turned on to the face of consum- mate actor. Capt. Desire Arnaud crossed the avenue and disappeared | like shadow in the darker shadows | of the trees.
 Sylvia shuddered and then laughed unsteadily.
 How stupid of me! I was really frightened. But did not want him to see us. It would have been hard to ex. plain, and he has been so strange and excitable lately"
 She went, on alone, walking in the center of the grove where the light was strongest and humming softly to herself, like a confident child whose momentary fear is passed and forgot ten. Colonel Destinn heard her com ing. He was still seated where Cab rielle had left him, smoking tranquilly, and the dull glow of his cigarette light ed m an eni0rnaticnI compos11ra