Evening star., 1921-07-01
eouppixht. hu NttiA Brown 4 O.

cannot marry you! shall never mar
ry any one. Will you please believe
that? 1t will make it so much easier
for me-"
He was a little taken aback. She
had changed her methods suddenly.
and he had had no time to adapt him
self to them.
! Don't hate me. please" she mur-
INJURED Indeed, it would make me
very happy if we could be friends"
He laughed a little unnaturally.
and turned in his seat until he was
facing her.
Would you mind lifting your veil
for a moment, Louise?" he asked her.
She obeyed him with fingers which
the tears had indeed been in her
eyes. Her lips quivered. She looked
at him sadly. but very wistfully.
Thank you" he said. Now would
you mind asking yourself whether
friendship between US is possible!
self that! Remember our seat amongst
the roses-remember what you will
of that long golden day."
She covered her face with her
hands.
"Ah. no." he went on. you know
yourself that only one thing is pos
sible. I cannot force you into my
my life and break it in two. you can
do it. But think what it means! I
am not rich. but am rich enough to
take you where you will. to live with
you in any country you desire. 1
don't know what your scruples are
I shall never ask you again. But.
dear. you must not! You must not
send me away"
She was silent She had dropped
her veil and her head had sunk a lit
tie.
IF believed tkat there was any
body else" he continued. Il would go
away and leave you alone. If I doubt
make you happy. I would not trouble
you any more. But you belong to me,
Louise. You have taken up your place
in my life. in my heart! I cannot live
without you. do not think that you
can live without me! You mustn't try.
dear! You mustn't"
He held her unresisting hand, but
her face was hidden from him.
what it is that you fancy comes
between US I cannot tell" he con-
tinued. more gravely. "Only let me
tell you this. We are no longer in
any danger from Stephen Heneaee.
He has abandoned his quest alto
SetHeT ne mas tolu me 50 WITH his
own lips"
You are sure of that~ she asked
softly.
absolutely" he answered.
She hesitated for moment. He re-
mained purposely silent. He was anxi-
Gus to try and comprehend the drift
do you know why?' she asked. did
/ he find the task too difficult, or did he
relinquish it from any other motive ~
II am not sure" Wrayson answered.
IT met him the night before last. He
appearance OF man altogether un-
nerved. Perhaps it was my fancy. but
I got the idea"
'Well?" she demanded eagerly.
! in the course Of his investigations which
had given him shock" he said. "He
seemed all broken up. OF course. it may
have been something else altogether.
At any rate. l have his word for II.
He has ceased his investigations alto
The afternoon was warm. but she
shivered as she rose a little abruptly to
her feet. He laid his hand upon her
arm.
She shook her head sadly.
my very dear friend" she said sadly.
| "you must always be- That is all!''
He took his place by her side.
"Your very dear frfend,' he repeated.
well, it is a relationship don't know
much about. haven't had many rela-
tionships amongst your sex. Tell me ex-
| actly what my privileges would be-
you will learn that" she said, 'fn
time
He shook his head.
81 think not" he declared. FRIEND
ship. to be frank with you, would not
satisfy me in the least
"Then I must lose you altogether"
she murmured. in a low tone.
81 don't think so." he affirmed coolly
II consider that you belong to me al
ready. You are only postponing the time
when I shall claim you.'
She made no remark. and behind her
veil her face told him little. A moment
later they issued from the park and
stood on the pavement before the baron
ess' fiat. She held out her hand without
a word.
81 think" he said, ''that should like
to come in and see the baroness
CONTINUED In TomorroWs Star0