Evening star., 1923-02-18
Continued FROM Yesterdays Starr


1T is all SO strange-so terrible"
she whispered Il feel as II I had
.iied--as if I were looking at Mir
lam Warburton who is dead
1t would be much better if ! were
dead, for 1 have blundered I
sought nothing for myself. My only
motive was to serve my country and
yours. But | was wrong. 1t is always
wrong for woman to use against
men those weapons which are forged
Cor her by the spirit of chivalry. Had
Oliver Claiming not stopped to pick
up for me the death flower I dropped
he would be living today. HAD Hay
den Storrow--
4 chill crept over Rennison as the
whispered name fell ha!tingly from
the trembling, white lips of the act
ress.
You have loved Hayden?" he asked
gently.
Miriam shook her head.
NO" she answered. ~ have done
him great wrong. l sought his ac-
quaintance only III order that | might
get in touch with the social circle in
which he moved lie knew so many
people. Some of them We're persons
who moved on dangerous ground
persons in, or allied with, the diplo-
matte set But he was unsuspicious
and a careless thinker. Through him
] learned much that was Of great po-
!itical Observation-Disclosures OF great
!moortance that were unsupported b.
him"
Pausing. she glanced quickly at
RenniSon's face.
You know what it is 7 mean" she
went on. Sometimes I have suspect
ed that you had been drawn toward
Hayden for the same reasons l had
been drawn to him
Yes" Rennison replied. "I know"
But l could not love him. Miriam
explained 1T never seemed TO me
possible that woman really could
love a man who was weaker than her
self Hayden has wealth, social posi-
tion. physical vigor and a good pres
cnce--qualities that should give TO
him great power were they employed
in the service of his country-of civ
Ilization. In times like these. But he
sees in life nothing but the comforts
and pleasures yielded by each passing
hour. While others, far less favored.
are worliing for the salvation of their
country. he-
Flushing suddenly. she looked at
Rennison wonderingly. There had
come to her realization OF the fact
that. while she had beer speaking,
she was holding one of his hands In
both her own. and that one OF his
arms were around her. But in his eyes
and on his face was an expression she
did not understand. The Army man
was gazing toward one of the lowered
window shades. His face vas pale
features. but there was no mistakinG
the light of sorrow that was smoul-
dering in his eyes. The arm around
her frightened its pressure.
Let us think of this no more just
now, Miss Warburton," he said. mood
lily. "A hard task is set for each of
US today, and every minute brings us
nearer to the zero hour If you are
20 have strength for the ordeal, you
must rest"
With his arm still around her he
led her to the couch.
You must sleep he said.
IN try" she sighed: 'Everythins
were about to make all things right
that You are taking from me the bur
den which has borne me down. Even
The borror of it-but. no. that never
can pass away. And yet-yet-you.
knowing all l have done, do not be-
neve-'
She looked at him pleadingly. Slow
lips
Il think it would be impossible for
me to believe any i'll of you. Miss
Warourton," he assured her
Can you believe that. despite my
relations with the stage and the in
Storrow, I always have been what
even your mother would have de-
scribed as "a good womanc'"
\ puzzled frown came to Rennison's
Sd't oS ne lOoheu INTO tne eyes
7"ere regarding him with a strange
Intensity. But he did not speak The
hands of the actress moved upward
'intil they rested on his shoulders.
1T may be that you are the last
friend to whom will ever speak" she
whispered. Though l am beginning
10 have in YOU faith that is second
only to my faith in Cod. il still may
Happen that l may die today. In such
"ircumstances it is impossible that I
lie To
rse? And so. my last friend--my
faithful comrade-I am speaking truth
when ] say that no matter what ap-
Dearances have been. 1 always have
anhood. Until blundered yesterday.
| always have been able TO respect
myself"
Her burning. pleading gaze was still
upon him. For only moment longer
did he hesitate; then, covering with
rs own the hands that rested on his
SHOULDERS, he said, gently:
II believe you-comrade'
Tears gathered in her eyes and. as
she turned away her burning lips
'ouched one of his hands She was
trembling as she seated herself on
the couch and looked up at him again
You really do believe that" she
asked.
Yes" he answered, and his eyes
convinced her.
II will sleep now" she raurmured.
As her head sank on the pillow.
Fennison stepped to the bed and
after snatchfng up the bedspread he
placed 1t over the recumbent form
on the couch. This done. he raised
hoth shades and windows, thus ad-
hitting the early morning light and
2ir. Then he extinguished the cleo
tric light. filled his pipe and seated
himself beside the table.
CHAPTER XXXf.