The Washington times., 1918-12-04


fore he reached the front door. the
postern gate in the wall on his left
hand side opened, and Philippa stood
there, muhfled up in her fur coat
framed in the faint and shadowy
moonlight against the background Of
seabounded space. He moved eager
ly toward her.
II heard the car" she Whispered
Come and sit down for a moment
1t isn't in the least cold. and tho
moon Is just coming up over the sea
I came out she went on. as he
walked obedlentfy by her side. be
cause the house somehow suned me.
She led him 70 a seat. Below. the
long waves were breaking through
upon the rocks. throwing little foun-
tafns of spray into the air. The vii
-lage which lay at their feet was sill
ent and lifeless-therc was, indeed,
curious absence Of sound, except
when the incoming waves broke upon
the rocks and ground the pebbles to-
KetherS In their long. backward swish.
Very soon the sleeping country now
wrapped in shadows, would take form
and outline in the light OF the ris-
ing moon; hedges would divide the
square fields. the black woods would
take shape and the hills their mystic
soIemnity. But those few minutes
we're minutes Of suspense Lessihg-
ham was to some extent conscious Of
their queer, aIlegoricaI significance
Il have come" he reminded her
quite steadily, for my answer"
She showed him the small bag by
her side upon the seat, and touched
her cloak. She was indeed prepared
for a Journey.
You see." she told him. here 1
am"
His face was suddenly transformed.
She was almost afraid Of the effect
Of her words. She found herself
struggling in his arms.
MOT yet" she begged, Please re-
member where we are"
He released her reluctantly. A few
yards away. they could hear the soft
purring Of the six-cylinder engine, in
exorable reminder OF the passing mo-
ments. He caught her by the hand
Come" he whispered -passionately.
Every moment Is precious"
She hesitated no longer. The open
postern gate seemed TO him suddenly
10 lead down the great thoroughfare
of a new and splendid life He was
20 be one Of those favored few TO
whom was given the divine prize And
then he stopped short. even while she
walked willingly by his side. He knew
50 well the need for haste. The gen
tie .murn1r OF that engine was in
viting him all the while. Yet he
knew there was one thing more which
must be said.
''Phillppa," he began, you know
what we are doing? We can escape.
| believe. Ny eight Is all wonder
Lr..N w4rff1 Ao ~
coming back II will be all over
when our car passes over the hills
there. You will not regret? You care
enough even for this supreme sacri-
hce?"
81 shall never reproach you As
long as I live" she promised Il
have made up my mind to come.
and / am ready"
But IL is because you carer?
he pleaded anxiously.
"It is because care, for one rea-
SON."
"In the great wsy?" he peTsistsd-
"In the only wayT
She hesitated. He suddenly felt
her hand grow colder in his He
saw her frame shiver- beneath It,
weight Of furs.
"Don't ask me quite that" she
DeEReO
10 know that ] have counted the
cost, and that l am willing to
come"
He felt the chill of impending
disaster. He closed the little gate
through which they had been about
to pass, and stood with his back
TO it. In that faint light which
seemed to creep over the world be-
fore the moon itself was revealed,
she seemed to him at that moment
the fairest. the most desirable
thing on earth. Her face was up
turned toward his, half pathetic,
half protesting against the reyela-
tion which he was forcing from
her.
Listen, PhiIipps," he said, Miss
FaircloUgh warned me OF one thinS.
/ put it on one side. 1t did no.
seem to be possible. Now 1 must
ask you a question. You have
some other motive, have you not
for choosing to come away with
me? It Is not only because you
love me better than any one else
in the world. as 1 do you. and
therefore that we belong to one
another and II is right and good
that we should spend our lives in
one another's company? There Il
something else. is there not. at the
root Of your determination? Some
ally?" =
- II was a strange moment for
Philippa. Nothing had altered
within her. and yet a wonderful
pity was glowing in her heart.
tearing at her emotions. bringing
a sob into her throat.
you mean-Henry?" she falter-
er.
"I mean your husband" he as
sented.
She was suddenly passionately
angry with herself. II seemed to
her that the days OF childishness
were back. She was behaving
like an imbeciIe whilst he played
the great game.
you see," he went on. his own
voice a little unsteady. this is on"
of those moments in both our lives
when anything except the exact
truth would mean shipwreck. You
still love your husband:
II am such a fool" she sobbed'
clutching at his arm.
You were willing to go away
with me-" he continued merciless-
", partly because of the anger
you felt toward him, and partly
out of revenge. and just little De
cause you like me. Is that not so?"
Her head pressed upon his arm
She nodded. II was just that con-
vulsive movement o. her head, with
it's wealth OF wonderful hair and
its plain black motoring hat. which
dealt the death-blow to his hopes.