Evening star., 1923-02-05

AS Miriam, with bowed head. leaned
agaianst the back of the chair which
supported her, the kimono seemed
about to fall from her white shSul-
ders Size trembled and RenniSon
heard her sobbing family.
Come, Miss Warburton. it is time
YOU were seeing the situation a little
more clearly he said kindly. Both
OF us have had mistaken views, for
cacn of us has believed that the other
has been in the service OF Seafalcon.
Despite the fact that l know<you took
the life of oliver Charming. I am con-
WINGED that, before you did so, his
character and the nature Of his mis-
sion to Washington had been mis-
represented to you. There is much
that is not clear to me, but before
ask you for further enlightenment
want To feel that you are satisfied of
NY loyalty 10 the government OF the
7 nited States. In what manner do
YOU require me to convince you OF
tnis?"
slowly the actress raised her head
end gazed at him searchingly with an
expression in which fear, bewilder-
lnent, doubt and appeal were min
EIed.
How am to know what to believe
OF you?' she faltered. "If Reifsnyder
who wears the uniform of an officer
OF your Navy. is indeed a traitor. why
win not you, IL YOU are loyal, aid me
u preventing those papers from get
ting into his hands?"
Does ii not occur to you, my dear
Miss Warburton. that, il were loyal, I
would not have permitted that fatetul
cane to get out of my sight so long
as I knew those papers were in it?'
oh" gasped the half-fainting
woman. "True-I had not thought OF
that. You have them-the papers
row?'
Yes"
And you--you will let me see them.
that l may know" she besought
him eagerly.
That you may know I am not at
tcnipting TO deceive you AGAIN.: ne
SHOW them to you, subject to one
condition. But come. Why are we
standing here? Let us return to the
sitting ROOM"
Drawing aside one Of the portieres.
hc stepped back to let her pass. AS
She moved through the doorway Rem
riSon took one of her hands. Just
inside the sitting room they halted.
Looking. half fearfully, at her COM
paron. Miriam asked:
What is the condition."
IT is the payment of price
price she murmured. ITO be
satisfied that all you are telling me
That is far too precious" Renni-
son said kindly. And yet what
will ask is something which is sug-
Eestive of the soul-something to
which. a few moments ago. l referred
as the flower of Immortality"
She gave d little start and Shud-
dored. Slowly her gaze wandered t.
where. on the lace cover OF the table
lay the little artificial rosebud
Around it was a faint brown stain.
You must not touch It," she warn.
Cd him in voice that was scarcely
louder than a whisper. Wait"
But as she started toward the table
the tightening grip of the hand whicl,
oil har oct air,a he
glarced at Rennison quickly. and
there was a faint tint of color on her
cheeks as she replied:
You may trust me now"
He released her hand, but kept be.
side her as she stepped to the table
She drew out the drawer and took
from it little silver. vanity box.
Put II in this she murmured as
She held II out to him.
Rennson took it and with a match
stick he thrust the bud into the box
and replaced the cover. After slip
ping the box into one of his pockets
tossed it into the empty fireplace.
DO you value this table cover?" he
asked.
The actress shook her head mega
lively.
Il will take it, then" said Rennison
He lifted the cover and, after rub
hing with it little spot on the mar
bile top of the table, he glanced about
him. On the couch he saw an even
ing newspaper. He picked up this
and wrapped it around the crumpled
cover, then he placed the little bundle
on a chair beside his cane and hat.
And now we come to my part of
the agreement" the officer said, with
sudden assumption of cheerfulness.
Miriam, again seated beside the
table. had hid her face In her hands.
Now, as she looked toward Rennison
again. she saw he was taking some
thing from a pocketbook. Slowly she
sat upright, then leaned forward as
he laid before her on the table five
sheets of tissue paper. She saw one