The Washington times., 1920-02-05

known her too long and too we'll,
dragging them from ease and COM
fort and the soft cushions of life
back across the seas to her gaunt,
"And there seems to be some kind
of blessing in that old cross held
over us as we come trailing back"
His smile WAS scoffing and a lit
tie weary. but behind IL April heard
longing in his voice and saw the
searching of his eyes toward where
land would soon appear. And what
he was feeling strangely communi-
Gated itself to her. The subtle hand
of Africa WAS laid upon her heart,
and she trembled.
In that moment she sickened sud-
denly of her false position. Why
was she not coming to this witch
full land frankly and with clean
hands. instead Of in the coils of
foolish pretense? She looked at the
fine open face of the man at her
side and was ashamed.
An impulse seized her TO tell him
the truth. but the thought of Diana
drew her up sharply. Had she the
right to disclose the secret before
first consulting the other girl or. at
least, telling her what she meant TO
do? There had OF late been some
thing about Diana that called for
this consideration. She had grown
so quiet and pale. Her gay laugh
ter was seldom heard and, though
she still sat about with Bellew a
great deal. no one ever heard them
talking much. They seemed to revel
in silence. 1t was not difficult to
divine what spell was upon them,
and April was more, glad than she
could tell.
For IL it came to pass that Diana
should get something out of this
masquerade, something beyond
mere frivolous enjoyment, then the
means would have justified the end,
and neither would have cause for
reproach. How fitting, too, for
Diana and Bellew, both of the same
world and social position, to find
each other in such a disinterested
way! Really, it looked as If every
thing were for the best in the best
of all possible worlds.
1t was only when Sarle's clear
gaze was upon her that Aprirs soul
stirred with a sense of guilt and a
longing to discontinue the deceit,
harmless as IL was. His simple. cam
did personality made it impossible
to remain with him and not be sin
her to find Diana and arrange some
plan of action.
She Leaves sarle-
Abruptly she left him, and though
dancing had begun and she saw
her partner bearing down on her,
she fled in the direction OF the mu-
sic saloon, where Diana and Bellew
might most frequently be found.
But they were nowhere in sight,
and their dusky> and pslm-sheltered
corner was In possession of Mrs.
Stanislsw. who instantly pounccd
on April with n request for her au-
tograph Everyone was walking
about with birthday and autograph
books that night. Others were car,
rylng about large photographs OF
the ship and begging people TO
sign their names upon ", as SOU
venir OF the voyage. These things
are done bon every trip TO the
Cape.
while April stood turning the
pages OF the autograph album,
and wondering what name TO put
down, she got one OF the worst
jolts OF her life.
II have found out two very in
teresting things" said Mrs. Stanis-
law, in her soft and scrpentino man
ner. "The woman whose children
Miss Poole is going to governess at
the Cape is Cora Janis. one OF my
most intimate friends. And"
She paused dramatically.
Aprira fingers still fluttered the
pages, but her heart took bound
and then stood stiIl.
How very interesting" she
stammered. "And what else?"
Captain Bellew is a married
man" '..l
,,rs re Continued Tc~crrov.l