The Elbert County tribune., 1919-07-25
CHAPTER XIII.
Some Plain Speaking.

TOOK three steps toward her and
stood still. For this was Jacqueline,
but 1t was not my Jacqueline. 1t
might have been Jacqueline's grand
mother when she was a girl-thls
naughty belle with her high waist and
side curls and her flounced skirt and
aspect of cold recognition.
She did not stir as I approached her
but stood still. framed in the doorwav.
looking at me as though l were on
unwelcome stranger. My outstretched
arms fell to my sides.
"Jacqueline |" cried. "It is /, Paul
You know me, Jacqueline?"
Jacqueline inclined her head. "Oh,
yes; know you, monsieur" she an
swered. "Why have you come here?"
"To save you, Jacquelinel"
She made me n mocking courtesy
'T am infinitely obliged to you, mon
sieur, for your good WILL" she said !;
''but do not need your aid. 1 am
with friends now, Mn. Paulr
''Do you want to see me, Jacque-
liner / asked, watching her through
whirling fog.
mo, monsieur" she answered chill
lingly. mo, monsieuri"
'Do you wish me to go?"
She said nothing, and 1 walked un-
steadily toward the door. She fol-
lowed me slowly. 1 went out of the
room and pulled the door to behind
me. 1 knew that after 1t had closed
1 should never see Jacqueline again.
She opened 1t and stood confronting
me, and then burst into flood of i'm
passioned speech.
"Why have you followed me here
to persecute me?" she cried. "Are
you under the Illusion that am help
less? Do you think the friends who
rescued me from you have forgotten
that you exist? You took advantage
of my helplessness. 1 do not want to
see yuu. I hate your
"You told me that you loved me,
and 1 believed you, Jacqueline," 1 an
swered miserably, watching the color
flame into her lovely face. And
could see she remembered that.
when l was i'll you used me for
your base schemes" she went on with
cutting emphasis. "And you-you fol-
lowed me here. Have you not had
money enough? Do you want more?"
1 seized her by the wrists. Thus /
held her at arms length, and my IN
gers tightened until / saw the flesh
grow white beneath them. The inten-
sity of my rage beat hers down and
made 1t a puny thing.
"Jacquelinel Only few nights ago
you said you loved me; that you would
never send me away until 1 wished to
go. What is it that has happened to
change you so, Jacqueline?"
I had her in my arms. She strug-
gled fiercely and / let her go.
'How dare you, monsieurr she
painted. go at once, or 1 shall call
for aidI"
So went into the passage. But be-
for reached the end of the little hall
Jacqueline came running back to me.
Monsieur she gasped. an. PAUL.
For the sake of-of what 1 once
thought you, do not want you to be
SEEN You are. in dreadful danger.
Come back ~
mo, Nine. d'Epernay," answered,
and she WINGED again, as though had
struck her across the face.
For my sake" she pleaded, catch
ing at my arm, and at that moment l
heard a door slam underneath and
heavy footsteps begin slowly to ascend
the stairs.
mo, madame" answered, trying
to release my arm from her clasp.
"Then for the sake of-our love,
Paul !" she gasped.
l suffered her to lead me back into
the room. AS she drew me back and
closed the door behind us 1 heard the
footsteps pause and turn along the
corridor.
1 knew that heavy gait as well as
though ] already saw Leroux's hard
face before my eyes.
The room was completely dark. i
heard Leroux tramp In and his voice
mingling with the click-click of the
ball in the rouette wheel
"Who is here?" he demanded.
II am" answered Jacqueline.
'MauditI" he burst out explosively.
"Where is d'Epernay? I am tired of
waiting for him"
II have told you many times that
do not know" answered Jacqueline.
''How long will you keep up this
pretense. madameT cried Leroux an