Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-20

rapid volte-face was beyond credence
This man had watched by her bedside
nursed her during the week that she had
hot at the thought of the situation, and
quickly she questioned Ena, who at last
reluctantly admitted the truth Herr
Hauptmann Goritz had sat many nights
by the bedside while she, Ena. had slept
SO as to be fresh for the daH to fol-
low. He had commanded her silence.
and Ena had obeyed., She, hoped that
the EXcellency would understand
Marithka nodded and sent her from
the room, for she wanted to be alone
with her thoughts. He had watched by
her sickbed, carrying out the orders or
scous-Goritz the master craftsman of
duplicity-Coritz the insensible What
did it mean? Fad the man spoken the
truth? Was he? Love to such man
as Goritz! 1t was impossible.
Love! She knew what love was She
closed her eyes and buried her face in
her arms in wordless, silent grief for the
man to whom she had given all that was
best and noblest of her-Hugh! But
she could not weep 1t seemed as
though. long since. the FOUNTAINS Of her
misery We're dry. For tong while she
crouched in the window, motionlesS. anu
when at last. she raised, ner he'd and
gazed down the shimmering vista of the
gorge, it was with look of new reso'
luton and intelligence She must eso ho
given to find a way out of Schivss Sol
nok. What IT, in spite of all. the things
that Leo Goritz had confessed were true
she doubted it and yet-if he loved
her! Here was a woman's revenge,
to bait to charm. to spurn; and then to
outwit him. a test OF the slncerlty or
arms-a dangerous game which she had
once before thought Of playing. until his
cruelty had, atrophied all impulse ,0r
RSt oSa grow re ne wth Iea ths ventare her
a dangerous game, indeed. here alone
upon this .crag in the mountains t,,h 6Hs II
flaming sword to defend-to destroy
If? She would not trust him. but sne
would fight him with tt" weapons shs
a CLINT as of polished metal came into
| her ewes a the scene in the house or the
Beg of Rataj shut out the lovely ianu,
scape before 0 her To To, deS,poSh sne might M eX
tinguish it: to corrode the spirit with
the biting acid of contempt; to envenon
the soul--newly. born. perha ps~to hnn nnn
| sweeter uses OF benenceh'e' an" ''e
escape! If he cared ,., ,ha
She planned her campaign with the
calm forethought OF genera. s;no Tno
| picks out his own battiensia, u,spostS tor
| his forces TO the best advantage, ior
attack or for repulse.. for victory, or
| defeat. She must mask her approach
conceal her intentions. and develop SLOW
ly the real strength OF ner ppsi, ~
| There was much that she wished to
| learn as to Schloss Szolnok. and its Sc
| curity from those who sought to inter
| cept them, much in regard to the plans
| of her captor for the future, but she
| knew that she must act with caution ana
| skill if she hoped to escape.
Goritz had previously expressed a
| wish that when she grew strong enough
to leave her bedroom, she would 1oln
| him at dinner. which she heard was
| served in one end of the great hall. but
she decided that the first skirmish
| should take place in a situation OF her
own choosing. And so after DUSK, the
moon coming out, she went again upon
wall of the bastion and looked down with
an air Of self-sought seclusion' upon
the mists of the valley.
Cioritz was not long in joining her,
She heard his footsteps as he approach
edrment ed Pue t'e Of III his pr presence. sem
May l talk with you Countess
Strahni ?" he asked easily.
Her shrug, under her cloak. was
hardly perceptible.
seems that my own wishes do not mat
ter" she said coolly.
"I have no wish to intrude
Marishka laughed. II can go in" She
drew her wrap more closely about her
throat and Strengthened,
II hope that you will not do that"
he said.
rs there anything you wished to
anything of Importance"
Goritz looked past her toward the
profile of the distant mountain. and
smiled.
Il thought that you might be interest
ed to learn something of my reasons for
stopping here"
"The insect in the web OF the spider
has little emotion left for curiosity"