Evening star., 1921-02-27
HER LETTERS.
Confined from Fourth paee.)

doubt you. you know, but IT'S better
to be on the safe side. Have you kept
the letters / wrote you?" -,
Yes" answered Pierre Vifieu. after
moments hesitation. for. as mat
ter Of fact. his mind was far away. :
Wei, then. give them back to me-
Pierre took a little key out Of his
pocket and opened the secretary. He
rummaged in drawer fun Of papers:
then in another. and then in third.
said. in appealing tone:
You're not in earnest, are son.
about: my giving them back That fs
2 little cruel. They are all of you /
"Bot they belong to a buried past"
You are asking me to make a great
IT thank you. Pierre. for your gal
lantfy: but / think you exaggerate. !"
She stretched out her hand,
Come. give them back TO me-trose
poor. letters which have no meaning
now-wh:eh are only dead things"
DIERRE searched through the
drawers again. taking precau-
tons that she shouldn't see exactly
what he was doing He was an
n9yed and his face showed it,
"WeIl?%, she asked, - "
!, He shut the secretary and took a
seat near ,hsf.3 -, .. ., r.
No. my friend. let me keep what
you have written ME. Spare me the
'pank which: I hardly: thought 8 Few
moments ago was Capable Of feel
tien tevtn PUTTING sside the e, tSaurht isnaxht
Of an impossible -r1pprochensnt).
that one realizes how strong cerfain
liens .Of. affection .haye been Let me
keep the letters tor. q few days, At
least. Tor1offow-I. promise viii
But that il childish. -.
Maybe IT is. II shouldn't like to
oneHd you. but - =.
the placif tone which. the first part
Of the interview had taken she was
! amazed .az. at this energetic opposition:
have told You wi,si tay plans ar are. /
shall never see you again. I can't,
and roughtn't to- eSo..I depend on
your loyalty TO give ome. what
shouldn't any longer. belong to you"
Those are plain words. my dear
show some feeling of .animosity."
= ':Good! He sis, getting angry"
thought Charlotte. :, :.
There was moment Of uneasiness
-oftthe sort which precedes q con-
hiet. Charlotte hdgeted and q wrinkle
showed in her forehead. She locke ed
so aggressive that Pierre decided to
open the secretary again, and hunt
through the dravers:s !.
win you give them to me?" de-
nanded Charlotte. imperiously. -
Nor. answered Pierre. with every
appearance Of resolution.
1T is unheard OF" ~.-
suppose It iS!'
g., Ard s,.. ..;.,.s came to see you in such a
Pierre made mo response. He was
nervous and dissatisfied with himself
In spite Of his obstinacy
'For the last time-will You give me
the iettersE'
!"'For the last time-Eo"
Well. monsieur. since you are not
the gallant gentleman whom I expect- :
ed to find. shall take other meas
urea" -
"As you please"
Il shall tell everything to the man
whom Il expect to. marry. He will
know how to compel you to return my
letters.''
Charlotte. trembling with anger. 20,
up and walked to and fro. There was
a CLEAN OF vengeance in her eyes. She
started for the door.
"Oh. Pierre. Pierre!" she exclaimed.
rerroachfuily, rs she disappeared.
Pierre v!reu. watched her go in a
sort Of stupor.
What q mess I made" he said. Her
letters--her letters! couldn't tell her
the truth. The devil take me II !
know what I did with them or where
they sre!"