The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-10-23


thing" said Barnes TO himself. He
Is positively uncanny."
lie read between the lines, and saw
there q distinct warning. II had not
occurred 10 him that his plan TO leave
for New York that day with MISC Gam
eron might be attended by disastrous
results.
But the jewels7 Whit Of them1 He
could not go gallivanting about the
country with n half million dollars
worth OF precious stones In his posses
sion.
lie spent the early part Of the fore
noon In wandering ncryously about
the hotel-upstairs and down. The
Jewels were locked in his pack up
stairs. He went up TO his room half
dozen times and almost instantly
walked down again. after satisfying
himself that the pack had not been
rlflcd.
For the next three days and nights
rehearsals were In full swing. with
scarcely n moments let-up. And so
the time crept by, up TO the night Of
the performance. Miss Cameron re-
manned In Ignorance OF the close prox-
Unity Of the jewels, and the police Of
Crowndale remained in even denser
ignorance as To the whereabouts OF
the man who robbed Mr.. Hasselweln
Of all his spare cash and an excellent
gold watch.
No time was lost by the countess I'm
getting word TO her compatriots in
New York. Barnes posted IA dozen let
tiers for her; each contained the It'd
ings Of her safety and the assurance
that she would soon follow In person.
Those three days and nights were
full Of JOY and eHchantment for
Barnes. lie actually debased himself
by wishing that the Rushcroft com
pany might find II imperative to go on
rehearsing for weeks In that dim, en-
chanted temple.
He sat for hours in one OF the most
uncomfortable seats he had ever
known. devouring with hungry eyes
the shadowy. interested face so close
10 his own-and never tired.
On the afternoon of the dress re-
henrsal he led her. after an hour OF
ALMOST insupportable repression, TO
the rear ~ the auditorium. Dropping
into the seat beside her he blurted
out. almost In anguish:
81 can't stand n any lnger. ! cam
not be near you without-why, II
well. II Is more than can struggle
against. that's all. You've either got
to send me away altogether or-or-
LET me love you without restraint. l
tell you | cant 20 on as | am now.
You know love you. don't you? You
know | worship you. Don't be fright
ened. just had to tell you today.
/ should have gone mad II had tried
10 keep II mp any longer" lie waited
brcathlessly for her 10 speak. She sat
silent and rigid. looking straight be-
fore her. as II hOpelessT' he went
on at last. huskily. "Must l ask your
forgiveness for my presumption and
ana go away from your
She turned to him and laid her hand
upon his arm.
"Am l not Ike other women? Why
should l forgive you for loving me?
Doesn't every woman want TO be
loved? No, no, my friend! Wait
A moment ago l was so weak and
trembly that I thought I-Oh, l was
afraid for myself. Now / am quite
calm and sensible. See how well
have myself in hand7 l do not
tremble, l am strong. We may now
discuss ourselves calmly, sensibly.
OH What are you dolng?"
II too am strong" he whispered. II
am sure Of my ground now. and am
not afraid"
He had clasped the hand that rest
ed ON his sleeve and, as he pressed II
10 his heart. his other arm stole over
her shoulders and drew her close TO
his triumphant body. For I'm instant
she resisted. and then relaxed into
complete submission. Her head sank
upon his shoulder.
"Ohl" she sighed, and there was
wonder. joy-even perplexity, In the
tremUlous sigh of equalization. "Oh."
came softly from her parted lips again
at the end Of the first long, passionate
kiss.