The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-02-21

carefully. She could conceive Of but
one reason for Stephens presence in
her house, and it rather amused her. It
was, of course. no friendly visit He
had come either to threaten or to
cajole. Yet what could he dot What
had she to fear1 She went over the In
terview in her mind, imagining him
crushed and subdued by her superior
subtlety and fnesse.
With little smile Of coming triumph
upon her lips she descended the stairs
and swept into her pleasantly warmed
and perfumed little drawing-room. She
even held out her hand cordially to the
dark, grim figure whose outline against
the dainty white wall seemed so inap-
propriate.
'.This is very nice of you indeed. Mr..
Strangewey," she began. II had no idea
that you had followed your brothers
example and come to town."
Shc told herself once more that her
slight instinct Of uneasiness had been
absurd. Stephens bow, although lit
tie formal and austere, was still an
acknowledgment of her welcome. The
shadows Of the room, perhaps. had pre-
vented him from seeing her out
stretched hand.
''Mine is a very short visit, Miss Mau-
REL" he said. II had no other reason
for coming but to see John and to pay
this call upon you"
II am greatly flattered." she told
him. "You must please sit down and
make yourself comfortable while we
talk. See. this is my favorite place" !"
she added. dropping into a corner Of
her lounge. "Will you sit beside met
Or, If you prefer. draw up that chair"
my preference" he replied. 'Is to
remain standing"
She raised her eyebrows. Her tone
altered.
ut must be as you wish, Of course" :"
she continued; "only I have such pleas
ant recollections Of your hospitality at
Peak Hall that should like, If there
was any possible way in which could
return It"
Madam" he interrupted, "you must
admit that the hospitality Of Peak Hall
was not willingly offered to you. Save
for the force Of circumstances. you
would never have crossed our thresh-
old"
She shrugged her shoulders. She
was adapting her tone and manner to
the belligerency Of his attitude.
"Well7"
"You want to know why I have found
my way to Londonr he went on. II
came to and out . little more about
you"
about mer'
"To discover II there was anything
about you." he proceeded deliberately,
''concerning which report had lied. I
do not place my faith in newspapers
and gossip. There was always a chance
that you might have been an honest
woman. That IL why came to Lon
don. and why went to sec your play
last night"
She was specifies. It was as II he
were speaking to her in some foreign
tongue.
Il have struggled he continued. ITO
adopt . charitable view, Of your pro-
fession. know that the world changes
quickly, while we. who prefer to re-
main outside itA orbit, Of necessity lose
touch with its new ideas and new
fashions. SO I said to myself that
there should be NO mistake. For that
reason sat in q theater last night al
most for the flrst time In my life.
saw you act"
"Wellf' she asked almost denantly.
He looked down at her. All splendid
self-assurance seemed ebbing away.
She felt a sudden depression of spirit,
sudden strange sense Of insignifl-
canoe.
II have come" he said, III I can, to
buy my brothers freedom"
ITO buy your brothers freedomf"
she repeated. in q dazed tone.
my brother IL infatuated with you"
Stephen declared. II wish to save
him."
The woman's courage began to as
sert itself. She raised her eyes to his.
"Exactly what do you meanr' she
asked calmly. ''In what way Is any
man to be saved from mel Il your
brother should care for me, and /, by
any chance. should happen to care for
him, in what respect would that be a
state frum which he would require sal
vationf"
"You make my task more difficult" :"
he observed deliberately. 'Does 1t
amuse you to practice your profession
before one 50 ignorant and SO unappre-
ciative as myself7 II my brother
should ever marry, 1t is my firm inten-
ton that he shall marry an honest
woman"
Louise sat quite still for q moment.
A fash of lightning had glittered be-
fore her eyes. and in her ears was the
crash of thunder. Her face was sud-
denly strained. She saw nothing but
the stern, forbidding expression Of the