The Washington times., 1920-08-03

as another proof OF their duplici,>'
His bearing was not lost on the
two young people. lnstincti'eiy
they looked at each other, interpret
ing his insulting attitude as some
thing auguring i'll for both.
Don Severe Is Naughty.
Don Severe hardly noticed the
wife. He bowed to Ernesto In his
most punctilious manner. NY
brother desires the honor OF your
presence"
His tone gave the impression OF
a sneer, innocent as the words were
Half-concealed triumph was In his
face as Ernesto rose and preceded
him to the library OF his patron.
Don Julian's face still bore marks
of the mental anguish occasioned
by the partially overheard conVer-
sation. So pale. 30 haggard he
seemed that the young man In
voice of pity cried aloud.
The other lifted his arm. ut Is
better that you go-you were right
last night-you had best CO..
The young man stared. What had
occasioned this reversal of resolve?
What subtle influence had changed
Julian from the man protested
his friendship to the one who doubt
ed? Was there any use to ask?
Would any explanation mend the
result that the poet himself had
propheised, that Teodaro had felt
like a dark shadow?
He realized his helplessness, and
Julian. seeing in his eyes still only
loyalty, rose and left the room.
Not again would he be carried
away by a foolish fondness for this
boy; he had been mistaken once,
but not again.
Prepares to Leave.
With a heavy heart. the poet
made his way to his own room.
there to collect his few belongings.
And Julian heard him ascend the
stairs as he faced Severe and Mer-
cedes, waiting the issue of his inter-
view.
He was still pale. but dynamic
force pervaded him; he turned on
them fiercely. you thieves, you as
sasins, you have stolen from me
the vision of my heart, you have
killed the honor of my SOUL"
Julian" his brother, strove to
pacify him; the other brushed him
away and walked rapidly out of the
room.
He is excited" said the woman.
"He is probably going to tell Te-
odora what he has done; 1 wonder
if the young man confessed"
Julian looked for his wife; he
was burdened with a feeling of in
justice. but. over all, he was bitten
with the serpent fangs Of jealousy.
IT, l..
chairs in which his wife and the
poet had sat were side by side.
Another pang; he could not find
her: a terrible fear came before
him that she might have run
away; that she might have over
heard him when he ordered Ernesto
to go. Such are the punishments
of suspicion.
There came to him voices from
the little sanctuary where stood
the altar before which he and
Teodora had been welded. He
peered inside, bowling his head:
his eye grew accustomed to the
darkness, and he saw before the
altar the form of Teodora praying.
and beside her the aged Maria,
whose faith remained firm.
Leaves Wife to Pray.
AS though he had intruded on a
holy secret, Julian backed noise
lessly out of the chapel, leaving
his wife to bare her soul to the
God of understanding.
In his room Ernesto welcomed
Captain Wickersham, now a fire.
quent caller, and tried in vain to
explain the reason for his hurried
preparations.
Wickersham nodded and said
nothing; he had heard more than
enough to justify a suspicion of
the real reason for his friends
going. II am burning my bridges
behind me, Captain" said Ernesto
with sigh taking bundle of
papers from the table and thrust
ing them into the crate.
"You Spaniards take life too
seriously" laughed the Captain,
land after you've burned your
bridges wither away?"
r. IT,