Evening star., 1924-04-18
do not intend to take I'D INV abode

do not intend to take up my abode
here"
You are not asked to-"
What. them"
She hated him for the smile. for
his Tnasterful air. which seemed to
he scorned to use authority, but that
when he did use it hers must IL be to
obey him. Again she felt that ever
lasting calm, arguing such latent
forces, was the thing she hated most
in him.
Il think ] had best be plain with
you" said she. Il have fulfilled my
part OF the bargain that we made.
i intend TO do no more. ! promised
that II you spared my brother | would
carried out my contract to the letter.
II is at an end.
Indeed" said he, II think it has
not yet begun" He advanced toward
her and took her hand. She yielded
it, unwilling though she was. This
is unworthy of you, madam" said he,
his tone grave and deferential. You
think to escape fulfilling the spirit of
ter of II. Not So, he ended, and
shook his head. smiling gently. The
carriage is still at your door. You
return with me to Zoyland Chase to
take possession OF your home
You mistake" said she. and tore
her hand from his. You say that
what ] have done is unworthy. l
admit it; but il is with unworthinCss
that we must combat unworthiness.
Was your attitude toward me less
UNIV orthy?"
'Tu make amends for it If you'll
come home" said he.
Ny home is here You cannot
compel me-
81 should be loath to-" he admitted.
signing.
You cannot" she insisted.
Il think 1 can" said he. There is
"A law that will hang you if you
invoke it" she cut in quickly. This
much can safely promise you"
She had need to say no more to tell
him everything. At all times half
word was as much TO Mr.. Wilding as
whole sentence to another. She
saw the tightening of his lips, the
hardening of his eyes. beyond which
he gave no other sign that she had
hit him.
Il see said he. 1T is another bar
gain that you make. ] do suspect
there is some traders blood in the
Westmacott veins. Let us be clear.
You hold the wherewithal to ruin me-
and you will use it if insist upon my
husbands rights. Is it not so?''
She nodded in silence, surprised at
the rapidity with which he had read
the situation.
ct admit" said he, that you have
me between sword and WALL He
laughed shortly: Let me know
derstand that SO long as leave you
in peace-so long as 1 do not insist
upon your becoming my wife in more
than name-you will not WELD the
weapon that you hold?'
You are to understand So,s she an
swered.
He took a turn in the room, very
thoughtful Not of himself was he
thinking now. but of the Duke of
Monmouth. Trenchard had told him
some ugly truths that morning of
how in his love making he appeared
to have shfpwrecked the cause ere it
was well launched IF this letter got
to Whitehall there was no gauging-
1.-THE ruin that might follow: but
they had reason to fear the worst
He saw his duty to the duke most
clearly. and he breathed a prayer of
thanks that Richard had chosen to
put that letter to such a use as this.
He knew himself checkmated; but he
was man who knew how to bear
defeat in a becoming manner. He
inquired.
'It is" she answered.
May see it?' he asked
She shook her head-not daring to
show it or betray its whereabouts
lest he should use force to become
possessed of it-a thing, indeed, that
was very far from his purpose.
He considered a moment, his mind
intent now rather upon the dukes
interest than his own.
You know" quoth he, "the des-
perate enterprise to which I stand
committed. But it is a bargain be-
tween us that you do not betray me
nor that enterprise SO long as l leave
you rid of my presence"
That is the bargain I PROPOSE
said she.
He looked at her a moment with
hungry eyes, and she found his glance
almost more than she could bear. SO
strong was his appeal. Besides IL
may be that she was a thought be-
glamoured by the danger in which he
stood, which seemed to invest him
with a certain heroic dignity.
Ruth" he said at length, "it may
well be that that which you desire
may speedily come to pass; ii NAV
well be that in the course of this re-
bel1ion that is Matching you may be
widowed. But at least l know that if
my head falls it will not be my wife
who has betrayed me to the ak. For
that much, believe me, am supremely
grateful"
He advanced. He took her un-
resisting hand again and bore 1T to
his lips, bowling low before her. Then,
erect and graceful, he turned on his
heel and left her.
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