Evening star., 1924-01-23

The Lighter of Flames
By William S. Hart
Story Filled With Romance and Adventure
Copyrigh. Z. cruwsu Co.

Sconce, to another door beyond.
back and closed 1t behind her.
The girl stood still against it for
moment with one hand at her
leart, her great eyes. like troubled
nools. fixed on the man who stood
sparkling with the beaded rain.
Mistress" said Patrick Henry,
| you called, and l am here
Ihe deep blue eyes beneath their
: oddly turned-up lashes shone with
the JOY that drew the stern mouth
into the smile he could not hide
he came toward her with both
hands held out. shaking u trifie In
their eagerness. and involuntarily
she laid her own in them.
The man claSped them hard and,
drawing them swiftly up. laid them.
palms down against his breast. He
leaned down and smiled into her eyes.
ana. against her will, she felt her
touch swept harp, the softest voice
she had ever heard said:
DoNey! oh. my light on dark
waters--my warmth in the cold
heart Of my SOUL love you!"
/ swept her in upon his breast and
pressed his lips upon her lips in such
u KISS as sent her sinking in sea
81 ecstasy: A marvellous caress,
firm enough to be ardent with the
fire that was N him. yet so soft and
sweet with tenderness that It must
have won the most timid. Flaming
from brow to throat. the girl tore
! herself away and faced him, painting
with emotion.
Sir she said desperately, IT came
, here--and brought you---of L set
purpose. These are tense times and
We act with Sharpness. Tell me
again-you love me-"
Patrick Henry. shaken to the
depths. but still and quiet in his self
control. bowed graveIy.
TO the foundation of my being"
lie said simply, lin every nerve and
fber.you and you only, and shall to
worlds end
Then" said Doxey, wetting her
lips: what would do YOU for me-
"Anything-almost.
ITO have me to wife-what?"
Lord,' said Patrick Henry. And
the hand that lay uppermost on his
folded arms shut and opened once.
What?" probed the girl.
What would you"' he asked
Down from the vanished ages came
De!ilah and spread her guileful spirit
all through the good heart of Doxey
F.airweather, so that, for the sake OF
the liege she had never seen, she
went to this lean backwoodsman and
LAID betrayins fingers on his arm.
stay away from that meeting in
Richmond." she said. And for this
you shall marry me. and--I will be
your true and faithful wife all the
days of my life
Alas. for the splendid kiss. for the
lofty dreams, for the vision Of bent
black head above Il rocking cradle.
Patrick Henry's face uuivered as
II she had struck him. The shining
blue eyes dulled. the lids closed
tightly over them as if in an effort
to keep back sprinsing tears-which
was indeed the case. For something
that was not sparkling rain stole
down along the lean cheek. and il,
too. sparkled in the candIelight.
The hands on the folded arms slid
loosely down. the fingers of one fid-
ding with the old fur cap they held.
for one long moment he stood SO,
still as death.
:, Then he drew, deep breath. raised
his glance and looked at her. and all
the tears were burned from his eyes
in the mounting fire that filled them.
He seemed {" dilate, to be- taller
more gaunt and graceful than she
cheek a muscle twitched
1T was for this. then he said.
thickly. that ] have dreamed dreams
and heard melodies. For. this my
heart melted in the fire of your beau
~. For this have you called and
answered, To make of me that poor
est Of all things. the most desplsed-a
traitor. You thought SO poorly Of
me then, mistrcss?"
Doxcy. with consummate guile
Patrick Henry raised a hand and
dropped it--a piteous motion of resig-
nation.
Woman" he said. IAN lay in
your arms this moment which great
blessing l have not dared ask of
heaven. I should fling you aside like
a garment. did you attempt to hold
me when that sharp summons came.
Hou-and my only friend the big
roam horse without-and my life
these do l fling in the balance for my
countrys sake. They are my only
precious things-they are my sacri-
fce--less than nothing in my coun-
trys need. l give you goodnight
He bowed SO low before her that
the shabby fur cap swept the floor
in his hands broad sweep. then
Strengthened to his full height.
You" said DoXey. family you re-
fuse me?'
Without a seconds hesitation, and
with finality." he said.
For Il moment the girl regarded
him with wide eyes. her lips parted
as IL her breath came with difficulty.
There was vast weakness in her
limbs, yet desperate courage in her
heart She was of the stuff of mar
tyrs, this sweet woman who thought
she was on the rack of right
Then, as the man moved toward
the door to hold 1t for her, she flashed
before him. sprang through, drew the
door shut and dropped into it's slot
the bar that crossed it.
Continued in Tomorrows Star.)