The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-13

we hoped you would pay us on Kyriei Moor.
We were anxious to explain many matters
to you. But our king-God save him.
suddenly changed his plans and we were
a good deal hurried"
Varley's head still swan. He did not
clearly hear the rest of her explanation. If
this were the Countess Loriseu, then-then
Anton, her son, was the count! Anton, just
dismissed from the Forest Guard-Anton,
who must have been the bearer Of the secret
message-Anton, who was also, bewilder-
ingly the friend and associate Of Woront,
the spy of Nordernreich!
He did not know what words he found.
He was not wont to be so gauche; but it
seemed to him that there was nothing to be
said until he had heard all.
81 can't yet realize" he stammered, chow
it was that did not instantly perceive-am
l very stupid, or are you both very clever?
Let us say the latter if you don't mind, it's
less humliating for me. But I fear the
Countess Beruna will never forgive me-"
He spoke with his eyes upon the curve
of the cheek visible below the brim of her
rose-colored hat. He saw the color deepen
and deepen, but still she did not speak.
Then suddenly she broke into irrepressible
laughter, in which her mother, marking his
rueful face, Joined.
ri suppose it is funny" he owned, "and
if you can take it like that l hope it means
that you-that you"
''That won't cut you, Mr.. Varley," said
the girl, raising her head for the first time.
"But, oh, should so like the answer to one
question: What was it that brought you up
the hill that first night. Was it accident, or
did you come because your suspicious had
been somehow aroused?''
He put his hands behind his back, shaking
his head, with the light of mirth in his own
eyes.
81 want to hear great deal more before
/ make any discriminating admissions
The countess broke in:
eve must not delay. The servants will
pack" said the countess, rising "Come,
young people,"
She passed through the brake into the
open path, whence the road was quickly
reached. Varley, springing to his feet, held
his hands to help Beruna from her seat.
For a moment, visibly, she hesitated. Then
she laid her two hands, warm and small, in
his, and slowly rose till she stood before
him. In some unspoken fashion, not to be
explained, he besought her for sign. In
reply, the heavy fringes of her eyelids were
raised, and she gave him look that sent
his heart into his mouth.
."Then you do" said he namely. She did
not ask what he meant, neither did she APP
pear to think the remark needed explana-
ton. She left her hand in his, and together
they passed down the bracken corridor, be-
tween the vassals, while Humphrey vaguely
felt that it was like walking down church,
with his bride upon his arm-a thought
which made his brain so giddy as to pre-
clude other ideas or speech until they had
reached the wide track where the big tour
ing car had just come to a standstill in the
forest drive, NADIA beside the chauffeur in
front, and Evadne alone in the tonneau.
Obviously, the princess had not expected
to be stopped in the woods. She leaned
forward, somewhat on her dignity. The
sight of Varley, however, Immediately re-
assured her. He made the introduction of
the countesses in proper form, and the
prickles completely subsidized
The countess then explained her little
plan. The lodgings she had occupied while
in Kilistria were so small that Baron Her
luin had thought it would be more pleasant
for them to meet al fresco. The servants
had brought picnic lunch, with the COM
pliments of the Great Lord of Castle KY
riel; and if the princess liked the plan, he
recommended, as an ideal spot, the forest at
the head of the lake, on the way to Syllis.
Did the princess know it?