The Dermott news., 1919-08-28
CHAPTER XII.
Some Plain Speaking.


 l took three steps toward her and stood still. For this was ,JacQueline, 1 but 1t was not my Jacqueline. It i might have been Jacqueline's grand mother when she was Il girl-ths l naughty belle with her high waist and l side curlS and her flounced skirt and ] aspect of cold recognition.
 She did not stir as approached her i but stood still, framed in the doorway. l looking at me as though l were an unwelcome stranger. My outstretched l arms fell to my sides.
 "Jncaucline cried. Tt Is I, Paul !. You know me, Jacquellnef" Jacqueine inclined her head. "Oh. yes know you monsieur" she an swered Why have yon come here?''
 ..'ro save you. Jacquellne." :" She made me moeking courtesy. "I am infinitely obliged to you. mon- sleur. for your good will." she said ;; hut do not need your aid. l am with friends now. NM. Paul :"
 Do you want to see me. JacQue- linc?" I asked. watching her through whirlng fog.
 "No. monsieur" she answered chil- lInEly. No. monsienrl'
 Do you wish me to go?'
 She said nothing. and I walked un- steadily toward the door. She fol- lowed me slowly. l went out of the room and pulled the door to behind me. knew that after it had closed should never see Jacqueline again.
 She opened it and stood confronting me. and then burst Into Il flood of im- passioned speech.
 "Why have you followed me here to persecute me?" she cried Are you under the Illusion that I am help less? Do you think the friends who rescued me from you have forgotten that you exist? You took advantage of my helplessness. do not want to see yQu. l hate you"
 You told me that you loved me. and believed you. Jacqueline," I an swered misernhly. watching the color flame into her lovely face And 1 could see she remembered that.
 "When I 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 moreT'
 seized her by the wrists Thus I held her at arms length. and my fin gers frightened until 1 saw the flesh grow white beneath them. The inten- sity of my rage beat hers down and made it a puny thing.
 "Jacqucline, Only few nights ago you said you loved me; that you would never send me away until I wished to go. What Is II that has happened to change you SO. Jaequeiinef"
 l had her In my arms. She strug- gled tlercely and lot her go.
 How dare you. monSier :" she panted. "Go at once. or I shall call for aidw
 So l went into the passage. But be for l reached the end of the little hall Jaequeline came running back to me.
 Monsieur :" she gasped. M. Paul {, For the sake of-of what l once thought you, l do not want you to be seen. You are in dreadful danger. Come back !'
 No. Mime. d'Epernay." I answered. and she winced again, as though had struck her across the face
 For my sake" she pleaded catch ing at my arm, and al that moment heard a door slam underneath and heavy footsteps begin slowly to ascend the stairs.
 No. madame" I answered trying to release my arm from her clasp.
 .Then for the sake of-our love, Paul" she gasped.
 suffered her to lead me back into the room. As she drew me back and closed the door behind Us l heard the footsteps pause and turn along the corridor.
 knew that heavy gait as well as though I already saw Leroux's hard face before my eyes.
 The room was completely dark heard Lcroux tramp in and his voice mingllng with the click-click of the ball in the rouette wheel
 "Who Is heref' he demanded.
 "I am," answered Jacqueline.
 "Mauditl" he burst out explosively Where Is d'EpernayY am tired of waiting for himl"
 ''I have told you many times that I do not know" answered Jacqueline
 How long will you keep up this pretense, madamef" cried Leroux an