The Washington times., 1922-05-31

eyes. giving place to a gleam OF
mockery.
There is plenty Of time. Gas.
ton 10 the most discreet servant.
We shall hear him when he
comes" he said with q low laugh.
But she persisted with the cour-
age Of desperation. when will
you let me GOT"
with an exclamation OF impa-
tience he put her from him rough
ly, and going to the divan flung
himself down on the cushions, lit
another cigarette and picked up a
magazine that was lying on an in
laid stool beside him.
She bit her lips to keep back the
hystertcal sobs that rose In her
throat. nerving herself with clench-
ed hands, and followed him. You
must tell me. I must know. When
will you let me go?"
He turned a page with de.
liberation. and flicked the ash
He turned q page with delibera-
ton, apd flicked the ash from his
cigarette before looking up. A
heavy scowi gathered on his face.
and his eyes swept her from head
to foot with q slow scruting that
made her shrink. when I am
tired Of you" he said coldly.
She shuddered violently and
turned away with a little moan.
stumbling blindly towards the
inner room, but as she reached
the curtains his voice arrested
her. He had thrown aside the
magazine and was lying back on
the divan. his long limbs stretch
ed out indolently. his hands
clasped ,>ehind his head.
you make 4 very charming
boy" he said lightly. with q
faint smile. but 1t was not a
boy that I saw in Biskra. You
understand"
Beyond the curtains she stood
q moment, shaking all over. her
face hidden in her hands, able to
relax a little the hold she was
keeping on herself. Yes! She
understood. plainly enough. The
understanding had already been
forced upon her. II was an order
from one who was prepared to
compel his commands. 10 make
herself more attractive with all
that II implied in the eyes Of the
man who held her in his power
and who looked at her as no
other man had ever dared to
look. with appraising criticism
that made her acutely conscious
Of her sex, that made her feel
like a slave exposed for sale in
a public market.
She must take off the boyish
clothes that somehow seemed to
lend her courage and substitute.
to crafty the whim Of the saw.
age in the next room. the woman
ly dress that revealed more init
mately the slender lines Of her
figure and intensified the uncom-
mon beauty Of her face.
She went to the dressing table
with tagging feet and stared re-
sentfully at the white face and
haggard eyes that looked back at
her from the mirror. 1t was like
the face Of a stranger. Aubrey's
words came back to her with an
irony that was horrible. To-
night she did not dress to please
herself. Her face was set, her
eyes almost back with rage, but
behind the rage there was lurk.
ing apprehension. She started at
every sound that came from the
adjoining room. Her fingers,
wet with perspiration, seemed
almost unable to fulfil their task.
She hated him, she hated her.
self. she hated her beauty that
had brought this horror upon her.
She would have rebelled II she
had dared, but instinctively she
hurried-fear had already driven
her so far. But when she was
ready she did not move from the
table beside which she stood.
Fear had forced her to haste, but
her still struggling pride would
not permit her to obey her fear
any further. She raised her
eyes to the glass again, glover
ing angrily at the pale reflection,
and the old obstinacy mingled
with the new main that filled
them. Must sne endure his mock.
Ing glance with chalk.like cheeks
and eyes like a beaten hound7
Had she not even courage enough
left to hide the fear that filled
her with self-contempt7 The
wave Of anger that went through
her rushed the color into her
face and she leaned nearer the
glass with a little murmur of sat.
isfAction that stopped abruptly