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


iron gates in an attitude Of listening.
She counted many heartbeats before thu
anxiety of her guardian was satisfied A
last with grunt, he turned slowly away ant
moved along the veranda, turning the bulls
eye of dark lantern upon every corner.
Evadne knew that he would come indoors
and search the sitting rooms. Only this
one room was sanctuary.
Not until he had descended the steps anG
gone away did she rise, snatch her silk Xxi
mono and wrap herself in it. Cautiously sh,
crept round the foot of the bed and paused
A flash showed her standing there, though
il only increased the obscurity of the cor
ner where the man was hidden. He came
forward at once, and she heard his hurried
breath as he drew near.
She crossed the room to the farther cor
ner, beyond the windows. In the darkness
there sofa was set against the wall Neal
it was a table with small lamp and ar
electric switch.
She whispered: eve shall not be seer
here. l have my hand upon light. Tel
me instantly what you meant by what yor
said just now. My husband is dead"
'You have twice been assured that hi
lives. Now he is here to tell you so him
self.
II can tell you something that nobod!
knows but you and me-"
"You CAM"
"The morning after the proxy marriage
before leaving you, Ferolitz gave you let
ter from me, written secretly"
"That is true
~ wrote to you in that letter, not as
king, but as man. l said wanted YOU
love-"
~ asked you, if you felt inclined to Civ
me = more than our royal obliga
tions made necessary to show M
"a certain token
"Yes-yes-what token?"
"The master key"
- The answer made her wiring her hand
together in perplexity.
.'But-but Baron Herluin saw you
dead"
at was not l who died. 1t was Michae
Ferolitz who died for me-are you believing
what say?"
NO." she faltered, her whispering voice
unsteady with sobs. II can't believe tina
i can't! Because, if you have been aliv'
all these years. why have you stood aside
why have you left me alone-so long,"
"You may we'll ask! | want to tell you
but it's such a long story, and l have onl!
few wretched minutes in which to talk t.
you. Evadne-Tve risked my life to CONF
to you tonight, and there is something
must say, but Mistitch may come back
Would it not be prudent to arrange you
pillow to look as if you were in bed?-s'
that, if he turns his lantern on you
''He will not do that. 1t is expressly for
bidden.'
Then we are safer?
GAS long as we make no noise. Speak
Continue! Tell me quickly"
1t seemed to the girl that her limbs woult
no longer support her. She sank down upol
the sofa; and promptly the unseen took hi
place beside her. He felt for her hand
gropingly; and she shuddered from head t,
foot.
as that how you feel?" came a de
spairing whisper. "I'll kneel on the ground
then. l only ventured to sit because tn
closer we are together the lower we car
speak. Here"-she heard him fumbling il
his pocket, and now taking her wrist hi
slipped something into her hand.
"That's naked knife. 1t makes you SAT,
enough"
She gasped, opened her hand and let tn,
knife fall upon the ground.
"Oh, Evadne, I've tried so hard to get tt
you before. God help us if I've left it to-
late"
TOO late!'
'sYou might have been glad to see me 1