The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-29
FICTION


 "Oh, can't let you talk like this,' she told him earnestly, she signed to him to rise, and crossed the room to char, feel ing physically shaken. "You must not shoulder all the responsibility. Part of it was mine, and part was poor Edors, but as he paid with his life for his rashness, we must not be hard upon him."
 "It is my sole excuse" said Theobald sadly "Yet he did warn me that there might be danger, you know"
 "But for the squall we should have been all right, that and Edor's astounding folly in putting up a sail-"
 "But it was my astounding foliy-my own-that sent you overboard," cried Theobald "My God! Shall I ever forget the moment when saw you swept from the boatv' He dropped his handsome head n his hands and sat a moment with his face hidden.
 "Well, you would certainly have perished for all he did to prevent it! How could he tell that foreign waiter would turn out to be so miraculous swimmer"
 Evadne was silenced, and turned the con- versation immediately. She hated to think that she owed her safety to man whom she dreaded and distrusted That she was under so profound an obligation, and that he was holding aloof and refusing at present to press his claims, was a distasteful thought.
 As soon as they were alone together he began to pour out his heart; and so com pletely did he acknowledge his own un- worthiness that she was more moved than she would have thought possible.
 Had he known that-he was actually the first man to make love to the beautiful creature who sat among the roses listening to him, he might have pushed his advan- tage even further; for to woman in the bloom of her health and strength, the first man who says he loves her may be compared to the rod of Moses striking the rock and re- leasing the flood which had been pent up behind.
 During these past, wasted years her life had been desolate and now love was call ing! Why not? Why not? Merely because she knew she was not in love with Theo- bald?-or because she could not do away with the memory of what she had felt in her early girlhood when her young royal un- known lover sent her golden key?
 The bald was leaning over the back of the seat whereupon she sat; he had caught her hand, was holding it crushed against his lips, he was pressing his advantage and she was weak-weak-and thirsting to be loved
 Conquering her agitation only with a painful effort, she managed to speak, 'Wait" she gasped fainty-"you go too fast! Please-please wait"
 "As long as you desire! I'll bear any, thing you lay upon me! I know don't deserve"
 Tt isn't that" she faltered, averting her eyes from his, alight with all the magnetism of sex; 'it is that am not sure-it is that there IS reason why can't-I can't answer you today! Will you be goodwill you do as ask?"
 "Can you doubt it?"
 ~Then go away! Leave Veros! I want you to go to Gailima-and to promise not to see me, not to try to see me-for week."
 "A veekp' Had she said . year there could hardly have been meg .7agedy in his voice.
 ~Yes. week. There are my terms If you will come back in a week I will ten you-I will tell you what you want ,o know"
 He still leaned over, very near, and she heard his sharply drawn breath. Are you sure you understand what it is that I wish to know?" he murmured