Evening journal., 1922-07-29
~ ,11TC
~ oB Rafael Sabattni

7 his iron self-control.
g He held her face between hi
hands an instant; then very gentl!
/ kissed her and put her from him
Standing erect and outwardly calm
| again. he looked across at Andre
Louis who was proffering him &
sheet of paper.
1T is the safe-conduct. Take Il
monsieur. It is my first and last
gift TO you. and certainly the last
gift ] should ever have thought OF
making you-the gift of life. In a
sense 1t makes US quits. The irony,
| sir, is not mine. but Fate's. Take II
/ monsieur. and go in peace"
NJ. de La Tour d'Azyr took Il. HIS
eyes looked hungrily into the lean
/ face confronting him. so sternly set.
He thrust the paper in his bosom.
and then abruptly eonvulsively,
held out his hand. His sons eyes
asked a question.
Let there be peace between us. in
Gods name" said the Marquis
thickly.
Pity stirred at last in Andre-Louis.
Some of the sternness left his face.
He sighed. "Goodby, monsieur" he
said
He loosed his sons hand and
stepped back. They bowed formally
to each other. And then NJ. de La
Tour d'Azyr bowed TO Mile. de Ker- |
cadiou N utter silence. a bow that
contained something OF utter renun-
citation Of finality.
That done he turned and walked |
stifiy out OF the room, and so out OF 1
all their lives Months later they
were 10 hear Of him in the service /
OF the emperor OF Austria.
CHAPTER XIV.
Andre-Louis took the air next
morning on the terrace al Meudon.
The hour was very early. and the
newly risen sun was transmitting
into diamonds the dewdrops that
still fingered on the lawn.
To AMBIGUOUS. sauntering there
with hands clasped behind him and
head huDched between his shoulders
for life had never been richer in
for rehection-came pres
entity Aline through one of the glass
ioors from the library
Have you decided what YOU are
,oing 10 do?" she asked him.
'Oh, something. Consider that in ,
our years I have been lawyer. poli-
ician. swordsman. and buffoon-
specially the latter. There is al
Fays a place in the world for scara- ,
Don't, Andre!" she begged him.
You are insincere. you know"
"Of course I am. Do you exject
incerity in man when hypocrisy is
he very keynote of human nature?
'or two years have prosecuted by
very means in my power . NJ. :
e La Tour d'Azyr." !,
He paused before utterinK the
anne. paused as if hesitating how TO
peak OF him.
And in those two years I have
eceived myself as to the motive q
hat was squirting me. That even
ad he not killed Philippe de WI
lorin. things would still have been
he same"
But why, Andrea"
He stood still and looked at her.
Because he sought you, Aline.
II fought him-a rat fighting a
him relentlessly until 1
wv that love had come TO take in
,ur heart the place OF ambition.
hen I desisted."
Until you saw that love had taken
e place OF ambitlonl" Tears had
zen gathering in her eyes whilst he
as speaking. Now amazement
minated her emotion. But when
d you see that? When?"
Surely. Aline that morning when
VI came to beg me not to keep my
lgagement with him in the Bots.
N were moved by concern for
MP"
For himl 1t was concern for
'u," she cried. without thinking
hat she said
He saw light. dazzling, binding,
Id il scared him. And that was ,
ny you fainted?" ne asked, incredu-
usly. III
She looked az him without answer 4
g. And she began to realize how
UGH she had been swept into say
g by her eagerness to make him
allie his error. a sudden fear came
eeping into her eyes.
He held out both hands to her
"Alinei Aline!" His voice broke
! the name.
NJ. de Kercadiou. emerging a mo-
ent later from the library window,
held them holding hands and star
& each at the other. beatifically. as
each saw Paradise in the others
ce.
THE END.