The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-23
THE WHITE MORNING
By GERTRUDE ATHERTON

had caught her from her chair and
strslning her to him, his arms. his en-.
tire body. betraying no evidence what.
ever of depleted vitality.
Let us forget 1t ALL" he NUT.
tered. 1--WE are still young and / am
free. / was a fool once and you will
believe me when tell you that ]
would beg you on my knees to marry
me even II you were Gisela Doring
1 have leave OF absence for a
month let US be happy once
more I" ."
at was a long while ago - all
that - do you realize how long?"
Gisela stood rigid, her eyes expand.
ed. To her terror and dismay she
was thrilling and flaming from head
to foot. This lover of her life might
have released her from one of their
immortal hours but yesterday.
But although she had to brace her
body from yielding. her mind land it
Is the curse OF intellectual women of
individual powers that the mind never,
in any circumstances. ceases to func-
toni realized that while the human
will may be strong enough to Danish
memories, and readjust the lonely
soul, its most triumphant acts may
be annihilated by the physical con-
tact OF its mate. Unless replaced.
Fool that she had been merely to have
buried the memory of this man by an
act OF will. She should have taken
a commonplace lover. or husband, put
out that flaming midnight torch with
the standardizing light OF day.
Her Mind In n whIrI.
Her mind seemed to be darting from
- In, axw-ff ~ 10
flight as he talked rapidly and brol<-
emily. kissing her cheek, her neck,
straining her so close to him that she
could hardly breathe.
Suddenly ii poised above the mem
DRY of an old book of Remains, "The
Abbess Juarre." in which the eminent
sIeptic had somewhat clumsily at
tempted to demonstrate that II the
world Enthusiastically announced its
finish within three days the inhabi-
tants would give themselves up to an
orgy of love.
Well, her world might end tomor-
row. Why should she not live to-
night?
Her arrogant will demanded the
happiness that this man, whom she
had never ceased to love for a mo-
ment. to whom she had been uncon-
sciously faithful, alone could give
her.
Moreover. her reason working side
by side with her imperious desires.
assured her that II he really were
spying, and. whatever his passion.
meant to remold her will to his and
snatch the keystone from the arch. II
were wise to keep him here 1t was
eviLent that he had no suspicion of
the imminence OF the revolution.
And II was years since she had felt
all woman. not a mere intellect iEnor-
ing the tides in the depths of her
being.
The revelation that she was still
young and that her will and all the
proud achievements OF her mind could
dissolve at this mans touch in the
OF her passion filled her with
She melted into his arms and lifted
hers heavily to his neck.
Franz. Franz" she whispered.
Gisela moved softly about the room
looking for fresh candles. Those that
hau replaced the moonlight hours ago
had burned out. and she did not dare
draw the curtains apart: It was too
near dawn. She had no idea what time
~ '" dHs nut ndNb 4lkbIs IOT
to think was imperative. and aher
processes were always clog
ged In the dark.
She -ound the old box of candles
and placed four in the brackets and
lit them. Then she went over to the
couch and looked down upon Franz
Won Nettelbeck. He slept heavily, on
his side, his arms relaxed, but slight
ly curved.
Prepared For EventuaIItIeA
In a few moments she went down
the hall to her bedroom and took a
cold bath and made q cup OF strong
coffee: then dressed herself in a suit
Of gray cloth. straight and loose, that
her swiftest movements might not be
Ir.peded. In the belt under the Jacket
she adjusted her pistol and dagger.
She returned to the Saal and once
more looked down upon the uncon-
scious man. How long he had been
falling asleep! She had offered him
wine, meaning to drug II. but he had
refused lest II inhame his wounds.
She had offered TO make him cof- !
fee, but he would not let her 20.
1t was in the complete admission OF !
her reluctance to leave him. even
after he slept, and while disturbed by
the fear that the dawn was nearer |
than in fact It was. that she stared |
iown upon the man who was NOR. TO /
her than Germany and all its enslayed |
women and men.
He knew nothing OF her plal4. had |
not a Fuspicion ~ the revolution. byt
he lad vowed they nsver Snul,Id 90 |
parted again. He had great influence |
Ind could set wheels ir 1,n-,pn shat |
would return him ID the diplomatic |
service and procure him M nproint- |
mont to Spain. where good diplomat |
SITS were badly needed.
Ito Be Continued Monday.) !
Copyright, 1918. Gertrude Atherton.