The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-11-09


tant country still. l want some
thing to take back with me-"
you want a keepsake. OF course,
Philippe declared. looking around
the room. you can have my pho
tograph-the one over there. Helen
will give you one OF hers. too. l
am sure. II you ask her. She Is just
as grateful to you about Richard as
am"
But from you" he said earnestly
At want more than gratitude"
Dear me, how persistent you
arsg" Philippe murmured. Are you
really determined to make love to
me?"
"Ah, don't mock mel" he begged
what I am saying 20 you comes
from my heart"
Philippe laughed At him quietly.
There WAS just little break in her
voice, however.
Don't be absurd"
There Is nothing absurd about
IT," he replied, with a nore OF sad
ness in his tone. II felt II from
the moment we met. struggled
against Il. but have felt 1t grow
ing day by day. I came here with
my mind fIIed with different pur-
poses. I had no thought Of anus
ing myself. no thought OF seeking
here the happiness which up TIL
as a servant because I was sent. a
mechanical being. You have
changed everything. For you feel
what have never felt for any
woman before. place before you
my career, my freedom. my honor.
Philippe sighed very softly.
do you mind ringing the belE
she begged.
THE bell:" he repeated. what
for?"
81 want Helen to hear you she
eonndsd. with a wonderful little
smile.
"Phnippa, don't mock me-" he
pleaded IF this is only amuSe-
ment TO you, tell me so and let me
20 away. II is the first time in my
life that a woman has come between
me and my work. ] am no longer
master OF myself. ] am ooseSssd
with you. want nothing else in
life but your love"
There was an almost startling
change in Philippa's face. The
banter which had served her with
so much effect, which she had relied
upon as her defensive weapon, was
suddenly useless. Lessingham had
created an atmosphere around him.
~ afH
Are you in earnest?' she faitered.
God knows am he insisted.
''You-you care for me?"
so much,- he answered passion
ately. that for your sake would
sserifce my honor. my country. my
life"
But I've only known you for
such a short time" Philippe pro-
tested. land you're an enemy"
81 discard my birth. renounce
my adopted country" he declared
hercely. You have swept my life
clear OF every scrap OF ambition
and patriotism. You have flled IL
with one thing only great, con-
Stunning love"
"Havs you forgotten my hus-
band?"
"Do you think that ~ he had
been a different sort of man |
should have dared to speak? Ask |
yourself how you can continue to |
live with him? You can call him !
which you will. Both are equally |
Your heart knows the
truth. He Is either a coward or
philanderer.T
Philippa's cheeks we're suddenly |
white. Her eyes dashed. His words
I. - - - I'll
"a coward" che repeated furt-
ously. You dare to call Henry
that"
Lessingham rose abruptly to HIS
feet. He moved restlessIy about the
room. His hsts were clenched, his
tone thick with passion.
LeaslnEham DenouneeH Sir Henry.
'T do" he pronounced. "Philippa,
look at this matter without preju-
dice. Do you believe that there IL
a single man Of my country. OF your
age and rank, who would
be content to trawI the seas for fish
whilst his country's blood Is being
drained dry? Who would weigh a
he added. pointing scoru-
fully TO the scales, whilst the
funeral march Of heroes IL beating
the world? The thing IS
.nsenFate, IMPOSSIBLE"
Philippa's head dropped. Her
hands were nervously intertwined.
"Don'ti' che pleaded. u have
so much"
Forgive me- he begged. with .
sudden change OF voice IF am
mistaken in your husband-and
here is always the chaDce-I am
sorry. I will confess that I myself
rad a different opinion Of him. but
can only Judge from what have
seen and from that there Is no one
n the world who would not agree
With me that your husband IL I'M
worthy Of you"
"oh. please stop" Philippe cried
stop at once"
Lessingham came back to his
,lace BY her side, His voice was
till shaking, but il had grown very
oft.
"Philippa. forgive me-" he repeat
q III you only knew how II hurts
0 see you like this! Yet must
peak. There il. just once in every
mans lifetime when he must tell the
ruth. That time has come with
ne--I love you"
so does my husband" she muir
nured.
81 will only remind you, then. that
= shows II in strange fashion"
continued. "He sets
our wishes at defiance. He who
houId be an example IN q small
lace like this. IL only an obiect Of |