The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-06

the loose SleveeS had slipped away. Evadne
you darling lunatic-you mustn't, mustn't
make a light"
At the very moment, after long interval
OF darkness, the lightning played once more.
His back was .oward the veranda the flash
showed her nothing but the shape of his
head, cut out in blackness against the light
behind, but it showed her to him in all her
loneliness as she strained away from him,
lips parted, eyes shining.
And even as the night once more engulfed
them she was swept into his embrace, held
close and fiercely against his stormy heart
She made no resistance. For the moment
she was completely convinced ana as COM
pletely mastered. Breast to breast they
chung, his lips were on hers, kissing as
though the famine of years must at last be
satisfied. She felt his immense vitality, his
close-knit muscle, his abject need of her,
his overpowering Insecurity.
Moments passed-or was it minutes?
"No use. / can't leave her. What's
throne?"
And then, along the wet gravel of the
garden walk echoed the slow, heavy tread
of the headman.
Dumb and motionless the pair remained,
hardly daring to breathe. In their dark
corner they trusted that they were COM
pletely invisible, and did not even risk
change of posture. Wrapped in his arms
she stood, or hardly stood; for her strength
had momentariy deserted her, and had he
unclasped his hold she must have sunk
down at his feet.
Mstitch prowled past the whole length of
Ho chooL 10
make sure of its being properly fastened.
The stiffness within was evidently salts
factory to him, for he turned away with
little grunt, and numbered heavily down the
steps,
Evadne had been collecting her forces
and the moment he was gone she liftehher
head and whispered urgently:
"Leonhardt We were mad! But l am
strong now, and l must get you away At
all costs you must go this instant. What!
Shall it be said that the king of Pannonia
lost his kingdom in his wife's bedchamber?
How could l ever survive that shame? I
must save you somehow, and II believe
l know way"
The man unlocked his arms with an effort
of tearing himself away. He caught his
breath oddly.
d lost my Senses / believe" he NUT
tered. 81 never thought I should give way
like that. l never did before--not even
when l had you in my arms
"When you had me in your arms be-
fore!" repeated the girl. "Are you dream
ing?"
mo, no. he replied quickly, NOR mad
either, though perhaps it sounds like it.
Did you say you think you could
get me out of this? How?
So urgent was this consideration that his
sudden switching off Of the conversation
was accepted by the girl in her anxiety,
and she answered at once.
"You must go out by the front door. In
the hall, hanging up, is cap and blazer
belonging to my nephew. l have thought
of plan, and i will call Mstitch and give
him orders. If you 60 into the dark cor
ner by the window and wait you will hear
all l say to him, and that will save time.
All, you will be careful, won't you? You
won't be reckless? You must-come-
back"
She broke off, for her voice gave out. He
guessed her perilously near a breakdown,
and he answered steadily and without
emotion.
II won't play the fool, l swear to you
I won't. Go on. Rely on me, I'll follow
your lead whatever it is"
She gave herself no time to think nor to
hesitate. It was now or never. DELHI
erately she unlocked the pair Of iron gates
nearest to the corner where he lurked,
passed out boldly upon the veranda, and,
standing quite close to his hiding place,