Evening star., 1924-05-11
Mistress W1ding
By Rafael Sabatini
Author of "Scaramouehe," captain Blood" etc.
Copyright
By Rafael S1batini

but these matters must be formally
proved against me. l have affairs to
set in order against such consum-
nation"
"Ta, ta" snapped Fevorsham. Tat
not regard me. Wentwort', you ave
card my order" And he returned
to his mirror and the nice adjust
mert of his neckwear.
But. my lord" insisted Wilding,
you have not the right-you have
not the power so to proceed against
me. A man of my quality is not to
lie shot without a trial.
you can 'ang IL you prefer" said
Feversham indifferentIy, drawing out
the ends of his cravat and smooth
Ing them down upon his breast. He
faced about briSkly. Give me tat
coat, Belmont. His ajesty ave en-
power me to 'ang .or shoot any
gentiemens OF tie pSrtie Of tie Due
tie Monmoot on tie spot 1 say tat
for your satisfaction. And, look, l
am desolate' to be SO quick wit you,
hut please to consider te circum-
stance. TIE enemy go to attack.
Wentwort must go to his regimen.
and my otter officers are all occupi'
You comprehen' / ave not te' time
to spare you-neSt ce pas%'
Wentworth's hand touched Wilding
on the shoulder He was standing
with head slightly bowed, his brows
Knit III Thought ne looked rounu
at the touch. sighed and smiled.
Belmont held the coat for his
master. who slipped into 1t and flung
at Wilding what was intended for
consolatory sop. 1T is fortune de
guerre. Mistaire Wilding. I am desc
late, but 1t is fortune of te war"
May 1t be less fortunate for your
lordshfp, then" said Wilding dryly
and was on the point of turning
when Ruths voice came in a loud
cry to startle him and to quicken
his pulses
my lord." 1t was a cry of utter an
guish.
Feversham, settling his gold-laced
coat comfortably to his figure, look
ed at her. "Madame?' said he.
But she had nothing to say. She
stood, deathiy white, slightly bent
other, her eyes almost wild, her
bosom heaving frantcally.
HUM" said Feversham, and he
| looSened and removed the scarf from
his head. He shrugged slightly and
looked at Wentworth. "Finissons!"
| said he.
| T The word and the look snapped
speech.
Five minutes. my lord" she cried
imploringly. Give him five minutes
and me, my lord"
now as he awaited Feversham's re-
| ply.
The Frenchman seemed to waver
Bien," he began. spreading his
hands. And in that moment a shot
rang out in the night and startled
| the whole company Feyersham
threw back his head-the signs Of
yielding left his face. Hat he
cried. "Tey are arrive" He snatch
| cd his wig from his lacquey's hands
donned 1t, and turned again in an
| instant to the mirror to adjust the
| great curla Quick, Wentwort'!
Tere is no more time now. Make
Mistaire Wilding be shot at once
Ten to your regimen" He faced
about and took the sword his valet
pronered. "Au revoir, messieursi Ser
| Viteur, madame" And, buckline his
sWord-oeit as he went, he swept out,
leaving the door wide open. Belmont
| following, Wentworth Saluting and
| the guards presenting arms
Come, sir. said the captain in
subdued voice, his eyes avoiding
| Ruths face.
Il am ready, answered Wilding
| firmly, and he turned to glance at his
wife.
She was bending toward him, her
hands held out. such look on her
| face as almost drove him mad with
| despair. reading it as he did. He
| made a sound deep in his throat he
| fore he found words.
Give me one minute, Sir-one min
ute" he begged Wentworth. II ask
no more than that
Wentworth was gentleman and
not ill-natured. But he was a soldier
and had received his orders. He hesi-