Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1919-12-23

answered properly-all she was con-
scious of afterward was the false mute
note in Sidney Cleve's voice.
she sensed her rivals words rather
than heard them; they were exactly
what they should have been, but pc
meath and between them Marcella
heard hate. The hate puzzled her; Dy
sort Of sixth sense she had OWNED
that Sidney Cleve did not love III
bridge; 1t must be his possessions.
But she could give no warning; II
would be set down to Jealousy. Be
sides she had no proof other than her
instinct. Instinct fares badly when
opposed to a woman's alluring beauty
and mans love.
Despair when deep enough Is tonic.
Marcella found herself laughing. talk
ing gayly, dancing ike thistledown
with feet that did not tire. She dlo
not let herself think back nor for
ward; instead she concentrated ner-
self upon the flying moment.
With a curious dual sense she went
through her own allotted part, yer
took note Of all about her. 1t was
thus that very late she marked SID
ney's absence from the ballroom at
the very instant Elbridge came to her.
"Giye me this waltz-no matter
about your card" he said, whirllng
her away to the rhythm of wailing
strings. For two rounds he said moth
ing, only held her delicately away
from him and studied her face. Then
with quick shiver he drew her closer,
whispering: "Marcella, used 10
dream we should-go through life
together"
aYou have found out better-in
time" Marcella answered, in a voice
whose evenness surprised her. Eli
bridge drew a deep breath. You
don't care-and I'm cur enough not to
be sorry of it." he said. "Come away
out on the piazza-I want to talk
and this is the last chance"
Il think you can have nothing to say
to me-" Marcella began but found
herself imperiously borne outside.
Down, down the long smooth stretch
Elbridge wheeled her, the music grow
ing faint and fainter, until it was but
a ghost of sound. There had been
lights everywhere-now half the IAN
terms hung dark, and in the rest there
were but flickers.
The shrubbery at the west angle
was all dark, but to those upon the
piazza, persons standing among 1t
were family visible. Two stood there
man and woman, locked in long
embrace, and shuddering visibly.
Neither spoke for a minute. Ell
bridge made to draw Marcella away,
muttering an imprecation under his
breath. Then the full moon riding
high among clouds. came suddenly
out, and flooded the shrubbery with
silver. The woman broke out pas
sionately: "Carl Carl Take me with
you'll What do I care for money? For
anything-if only l have you"
"You chose-the rich one" the man
said, his voice that Of an outlander:
you laughed at the count without
castle-who must ask your rich father
to take care of both"
did you come here to mock me"
Sidney Cleve demanded. Il came
because you called" the stranger be-
gan. What else he might have said
died In his throat-with a leap FL
bridge had reached him, borne him
down and backward, and knelt upon
him with murder in his face.
$50! you coward" he Kissed
through set teeth, ''this is how you
keep the promise that saved your mis-
cradle life. / forbade you to even
think of-but never mind. Remember
you had forfeited your life to me
and / spared you--on conditions. Don't
delude yourself that / shall spare you
again"
'But you will. And spare yourself
much MORE" Marcella cried, kneeling
beside him to unlock his tightening
fingers from the other mans throat.
Sidney stood staring and dull-eyed as
though stricken with madness. AS
Marcella wrenched loose Elbridge's
fingers, Count Carl Won Gutenberg
groaned In relief, then said thickly:
"Let me up will never more trouble
you"
"Carl! VIII you leave me?" Sidney
entreated, fiinging herself prone be-
side him. Elbridge got up, his face
curiously hardened. HE shall not. I
will see to that" he said. 1T has
come to me suddenly that by making
him marry you / shall be sufficiently
revenged on-both."
vengeance? Do you deserve it?
Think we'll" Marcella said, stepping
back pace. Again the moon hid her.
self. All was soft gray darkness.
Through it Marcella spoke low and
clear: 'FOrget-all of you-and let
things be as they were. You may
trust me-nobody shall ever know"
Elbridge caught her hand "You
need not say that" he said. "You
are truth and honor all throughput
one does not really forget. 1 thought
I had forgotten you-now / know my
mistake. Sidney 1t is / who should
ask pardon-of you and the count.
Let me help you with the angry father
Il think can make it smooth for
you there. In return you must help
me. I want to win back my good
angel. She has saved me from MUIR.
der-she must try to save me from
mycalfn