Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-23

81 LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE "THE s5gR1neHsssF s5g1eHs e eo>v,.

He smiled. THAT cannot reveal until
we nave come to a complete understanding.
| Give me your word that you will do all
| tnings in your power, and under my
direction, TO carry It to a successful issue
| and tonight, at o'clock will take YOU
completely in my confidence"
why the delay2" asked curiously.
That may signal the Myosotis, now
standing on the coast, waiting for infor.
| nation. II l signal Airs WE'LL the yacht
| proceeds upon its course, avoiding danger
II otherwise-if you refuse, / am forced
to threaten you-Lady Herbert will return
| at an agreed time and again become In
| volved in dangers and peris far more
desperate than those you know off,
And you permit that--you, who would
| marry herl" cried.
II have no choice. must use whatever
tools come to my hand without regard to
| sentiment"
Tell me one thing then," I pleaded
what Is the nature OF your power over
| herr What makes her bend to your will
-now2 God knows the woman hates you"
And know 1t, too" he returned, without
flicker OF an eyelash. But l would be
a great fool to show you my trump card,
| gentlemen"
The truth Of that observation was SO
plain that l could not argue against II. 1
bowed my head, struggling to suppress tho
lame of my smoldering resentment
For your own comfort, however" he con.
tinued In honeyed tones, IT will confess one
thing to YOU. Lady Herbert today gives not
one fond thought to your humble servant.
might make shrewd guess as to the man
SO fortunate as to bask in the light of her
faNor-but 1 refrain. On the other hand,
l would not be cruel"
Something beneath the sound of his
words puzzled me. 1 did not quite under.
stand, and watched him keenly while he
fumblpd hpnnutb L.
his own good time, he brought forth an
envelope.
Here Is a note addressed to Mr.. Gordon
Traill." he drawled irrtatlngly. ut is
sealed-and yet might suggest the identity
of its fair author, IL would"
He gave II twist of his fingers, sneering
contemptuously, and the note SKINNED
across the floor, falling at my feet / had
IT In my fingers in an instant, trembling
with an uncomfortable agitation; for at the
first glance had recognized the handwrit.
Ing of Hearts Desire.
1mpatienuy broke the wax and drew
forth the single sheet of family fragrant
paper 1t contained.
Undated, 1t read. four square pages hur-
rledly penned:
Gordon, If you would aid me--and be.
lieve you desire to do so could not write
this did l not hold firm to that belief
please, nh, please do not misconstrue my
actions. Through no will of my own am
forced to leave you and return to the
Myosotis. / cannot help It. II must be- |
What will happen next 1 cannot foresee, |
but oh. Gordon, may God have us in His |
keeping!
Captain Won Holzborn tells me that he |
Will make you certain proposition. |
cannot advise you to trust the man, for |
none can appreciate his falthlessness bet
ter than 1; yet in this instance believe |
he will keep faith.
t1f then Won IN N Goa ,y0ur to ~ NJ
ceptance, bearing in mind the reward he |
offers, the penalty he exacts. would say |
to you, Accept!-were / but sure that II |
was fair and right to you.
Il AMI cannot find words TO say with |
what burden OF sorrow and anxiety
JULIA"
pondered long over this. sensible to the
honest and straightforward as her own dear
heart.
So far as I was concerned. the matter
stood already settled. I must consent to
undertake whatever task Won Holzborn
might set TO my hand. The man had laid
his heaviest ammunition until the final
assault. Despite her expressed doubts Julia
had left me no course TO pursue save to ac-
cept and dare whatever dangers such &C.
ceptance might entail.
At length looked up, TO find Severance
waiting with show of impatience ST.
ently handed him the note. He read II
through without sign and then, returning
L, asked openly:
at is her own hand? You are sure?"
Certain" affirmed.
Inspired. do you thinkr no pursued,
with a sideways nod toward the Prussian.
81 think not" said.
1t appeared that he had como to the
same conclusion as myself; he faced Won
"I for one, accept" he announced sttay.
The Prussian looked to me-
"And l."
~ he sighed tremulously, sinking
back upon his pillow.
With the triumphant contamination of
his desires, he virtually keeled over, played
'ut lying as limp as a rag, as motioniess
Ls a stone.
CONTINUED TOMORROW