The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-05-22

held He wondered at his own con- !
nivance in the matter, and he shud-
dered to think how many illegal acts
are constantly committed by the most
respectable people.
When he reached the Stafford es-
tate he stopped the driver of his car +
and got out, telling the man to take
the case Of instruments up to the
house. Royce had seen Lois stroiling
about the lawn in mood Of sOlemnity.
He felt that the time was appropriate
for the surrender of the letters. He
wondered if he had the right to de-
liver them over to her. Yet he knew
that he had no right to keep them. 1t
seemed that he had SO tangled him.
self in the net of the Freneau affair
that anything soever he did was bound
to be wrong.
He hurried to Lois and called to her.
She turned to him sadly and weakly.
He knew too much about her for to
face him without shame. He brought q
little smile of relief to her along with
swift blush Of guilt when he said:
ssLois, have decided to give back to
Won the letters you sent to Freneau.
I read only one Of them, and have
think you have earned them back, and
+ I advise you to burn them up at me
first opportunity
h He took the long envelope from ms
@ pocket and her hand was just moving
h forward to take it when he saw her
! blush vanish in flash Of pallor
e ''My husband!' she whispered
,r Royce thrust the envelope back IN MS
nocket lust before he felt David's hand
N on his shoulder and turned to look into
If David's smile Of cOmradeshlp.
T. Royce had to playact with all ms
M might to pretend a cheer that ne was
10 far from feeling. Once more the loath-
2 some phase Of deceit was uppermost.
err He could not control himself under
David's ewes and he made an excuse
cit to move on.
TO- CT was looking for Gloria he said.
no ashes over by the marble pool" Da-
,st vid answered. Royce moved on, know
cd ing that he was watched. He dld not
&c, want to meet Gloria with those letters
,,-n in his nocket. but he must go ON WltI
der the role.
on1 Gloria seemed figure in painting
&c she stood at the edge OF the blu'
water in it's white frame, with the for
~ NAL shrubbery and the graceful coioii
., made back of her The boy Stas wa
N on one knee at her feet. He was sail
a,~;1 ing a tiny sloop on the tiny ocean.
AS soon as Gloria saw Royce sh
. beckoned to him with cordial1ty ina
she regretted at once, rememperli'
*:"==". +bo+ someone else had waved to hll
* **= before. Having just seen nm spea
"a TO Lois, she felt sure that 1t was
". Lois that he had waved when ne lie
***::*.:i the house
:*"*".l When Stas saw Doctor Royce he lie
- - tho sloon to it's fate and ran whooplI
#aNI to him. Royce caught the child in h
##t hands and tossed him high, tn
&aSa hronrht him to the level Of his sho'
:=:="* der for q hug and kiss. He loved ch
""=. dren and children loved him.
**":==* uo did not notice that the 1T
==*:=".*: orroninp hands Of Stas had happen
=". on the envelope full Of Freneau
tiers and lifted it stealthlly from
rocket. When he set the boy $ I
on the ground again Stas ran q"
.= hrandislling the envelope ana challe
~: ING Royce to & game OF rag.
*.====: Rovce,s heart bounded with ala
:=""".::"*: r. tho child had carried a stick OF
-: -: nanite in his hand it would mar
~ have been more dangerous.
- "Give 1ne the letter, MY boy 10
..:=".4l said. putting oJ1t his hand.
*:sa&& Stas 1:?11uhc! and ran q hue tart
":= s2fa of Rovcn followed del2thdlhS'
:s,s.3tsSI more anxiezls Royce was the more ;
sXps8G liked the game.
aX8zai rcxca WIS in mortal terror lest
letters fail from the envelope
$500 ean,aIo,x Gloria would learn their
:.*3=., ture.
*:::..**Z He made a dash for Sfas.
- : v-hisIed behind a juniper and CIR
!: 1,,vca rhcsed him through a E.
of rhododendroi2s.
Gloria began 70 laugh ana ei4>
- age Stas. At length Royce na'
frantic rush for the boy, inG
v Tone growing hreathess, made Tor 0lo
arms and flung himself INTO mem,
to no ;no. ..Take IL. take i. take
quick !" a.
He placed the envelope IN di'
d gath ,.ds sho xvas about 10 return
'oA Royce without glance. b,'' 'iV
afe and ia hook caught her eye
~ she looked down.
oaeh ~ instantly she recCGnlZed '1ie
veIoDe. It was the one tAal iit'u
as 1rou on from Freneau,s POCKET lhe
Gloria: ia bar s-cot,-bv II
tee the one that she had seen the CT
'uei ol7- ING figure take from freneau l
chances n, 5,a murdered him
80 90 - run away!
If the GRO BE CONTINUED
led with