The Washington times., 1916-07-16
CHAPTER Lv.
The Hatred Implacable.
NHS HHeVEN~ HHNPH1t"UHus
Y = ARNEY. / would speak with

" The discordant voice rang
out through the clammy re-
cesses OF the council room. Arthur Var
ney arose from his knees. where with
his fellow members OF the Black Order
he had been swinging in rhythmic
chanting. q part or the weird rites OF
the Devil worshipers.
The leader Of ceremonies had Just
opened a meeting Of the evil cian az the
brasen gong rang out.
Yes. master" answered the ciubman,
~ he went slowly toward the black vel
vet curtains. which pulled in the cold
preeze Oh the suoterianean cnainoers.
There were three resonant crashes Of
the gong once more, and he entered.
lpto mis- vision there grew stronger
with the spreading, red luminosity the
preme ruler OF the order.
The two exchanged the sign of their
brotherhood. thumbs pointing upward.
either sss ef thsr Cheeks TSe SsSo
cal Significance of this sent a shudder
through yarney. The piercing black
eyes OF his superior did not miss the
LOOK upon his human tool Of death.
Look In my eyes. Varney" was the
The man raised his glance and then
dropped the lids, as though he feared
that some inner weakness might be dis
covered by the gimlet sharpness Of the
"Varney. you have been brooding Of
late. know all you have done. all that
you have said. and even your innermost
thoughts .;,, Ny power is SO tremendous
unfaithful thought which you haye!"
varney. despite his effort at calmness.
started u ever s 80 slightly nby.rv..
He raised a bony fist. clenched until II
looked like the talon OF some omnivor.
SNs bird Of prey He l ga sb,1 6orW pa
Arthur yarney. woe betide you II
you play false to your oaths to the
Black Order and to me. your Master Of
Soul and Eternity" he cried. You are
Maynard, weaken your loyalty II you
attempt to betray us ! will .
His lips drew back over the fang-like
teeth. His hand descended toward the
covering man.
"Oh. master! I swear that I have
obeyed your every command. But, mas
ter do love Myra Maynard. She does
not love me, but she could learn. My In
fluence with her even now Is 80 strong
that would force her to turn over her
fortune to the order" he began piteous-
How often before had he made this
weak plea in vain. to the understandable
monster sitting In Judgment above him.
The horror of 1t all was finally borne In
his iron nerves. Through such fright
full catastrophe had they been during
these past few weeks that he was YIELD
ing to the strain. No longer did he be-
neve the occult promises made by the
master Of a reward of ettrnal love and
existence with Myra Maynard In mys-
FERROUS paradises beyond the grave!
But the supreme ruler Of the Black
Order banged upon the richly carved
altar with q furious fist. 49,. -.
often that this cannot be. Myra May
nard 10 possessed Of a power. which. II
she ever learns to master 1t. 1t will undo
. me, and our order. She must be dis
posed Of. I command you to take out
Afternoon. to scour the country. and
leave no opportunity for her to escape.
My will Is supreme here, and at the
slightest sign Of your falter I will give
you the most horrible punishment which
the mind Of man can conceive, ana
which only my art can administer"
At these awful words. the sinister
truth OF which Varney understood only
toe we'll. he bowed low.
~ obey. Oh. mighty MASTER" he muir
INJURED weakly. And with a hopeless drop
Of his broad shoulders, he made a low
obeiSance, and backed, shuddering from
the secret room.
Once In the general council chamber
he gave directions to the leader Of the
ceremonies. who evidently understood
masters plans.
But It was part Of the cunning rulers
scheme to force no other than the love-
1orn Varney to lead in the cowardly at
tack upon the unsuspecting girl. He was
certain Of his dominance with the man.
and confident that his supposed inno-
cence of any connection with the evil
order would cover the most daring cpl.
sode' Of rhe crime.
varney and the other members re-
IN
hurrying in a formation like a great
net to encircle the unsuspecting girl.
And all this time Myra was as happy
as a child. in the glorious thrill OF
such weather as would dlspel al brood
ing thoughts of unseen fear.
Little did she dream of the treach-
cry of the man she had promised to
marry.