New Britain herald., 1924-03-06

HIS trace or Bucklnsham hlreS Holes to abduct the actress. Sylvia Farquharson. It is dark when the colonel carries her off and. when he arrives at the house rented by Buck iugham, Holles is horror struck when he sees that Sylvia is former sweet heart of his. Sylvia is mortified.
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 Will you not realize that there is no time to lose? That if you stay here you're lost: Go alone if you will. Return home at once. But since yousmust go afoot, and you ma, presently be pursued. suffer me at least to follow alter you, to do what l can to make you safe. Trust me in this for your own sake trust me In Gods name.' .e.
 Trust you?" she echoed, and al most she seemed to laugh. You? After this?"
 Aye. after this. Because of this. 1 may be as vile as you are deeming me: not doubt I an But I never could have been vile 10 you. It may not excuse me 10 protest that I did not know it was against you that was acting. But it should make you believe that l am ready to defend you now--now that know" >
 This time he caught her by the wrist, and maintained his hold against her faint attempt to liberate herself. He attempted to draw her after him across the room. A moment she hung back, resisting still.
 For Gods sake!" he implored her madly. At any moment Bucking- ham may arriye."
 This time she yielded to a spur that earlier her passion had made her dis regard. Between such evils there could be no choice. She looked into his livid gleaming face, distorted by his anguish and anxiety.
 "1 I can trust you in this? If l trust you you will bear me safely home? You swear it?"
 "As Gods my witness!" he sobbcd in his impaticnce.
 There was an end to her resistance now. More: she displayed sudden urgency that matched his own. =
 quick! Quick, them" she panted.
 And then, just as they reached the door. it was thrust open from with out, and the tall, graceful figure of the Duke of Buckingham, his curled fair head almost touching the lintel. stood before them. flush Of feyered expectancy on his handsome face. 1n his right hand he held his. heavily feathered hat: his left rested or, tho pnmmel Of the light dress rapier he was wearing. k|
 The pair recoilcd before him. and Holes loosed her wrist upon the swift, instinctire apprehension thatS here he was like 10 need his hands for other things
 His. Grace was all in glittering satin, black and white like msgpie, with jewels in the lace of his throat and baldric of garter blue across his breast.
 \ moment hc stood there at gaze, with narrowing eyes. puzzled by something odd in their attitudes, and looking from alik rarquharson's pale. siartled lo,.lincss to the stir. grim figure of her companion. Then he came slowly forward, leaving the door wide behind him. He bowed low to the lady without speaking; as he came erect again if vas to the Colonel that he addressed himself.
 "All should be here, think" he said. waving Il hand toward table and side board.
 Holes half-turned 10 follow the gesture and he stood moment as if rondering the supper equipment. glad or that moment in which to weigh the situation. Out there. in inc hall. somewhere just beyond that open door, would be waiting. he knew. Buckingham's four French 'lackeys. Who at their masters bidding would think no more of sitting his throat than Of slicing the glazed capon on Inc sideboard wonder. His life had come suddenly 10 matter very much. He must go very warily.
 The Dukes voice, sharp with im- patience. reused him:
 Well. booby? Will you stand there all night considering"
 Holes turned. .......
 "All is here, under your grace's hand. ! think" he said quietly.
 Then you may take yourself oK."
 Holes bowed submissively. He dared not look at Nan: but he caught the sudden gasp of her breath. and without looking beheid her start, and imagined the renewed horror and Wide-eyed scorn in which she re- garded this fresh display of cowardice and vileness.
 He stalkcd to the door, the Dukes oyes following him with odd suspicion. puzzled ever by that something here which he perceived. but whose sig nifcance eluded him. Holding the edge Of the open door in his hand. Iiolles half-turned again. He was still playing for time in which 10 de- cid" upon his course Of action.
 Your grace, l take it. will not re- quirc me further tonight?"
 His grace considered. Beyond the Duke Holles had & glimpse of Nan, standing wide-eycd. llvid as death, leaning against the table, her right hand pressed upon her heaying breast as if 10 control it's tumuIt.
 NO" said his grace slowly, al last yet you had best remain at hand with Francois and the others"
 Very we'll" said Holles. and turned 10 20. The key was. he observed, on the outside or the door. He stopped and withdrew it from the lock. Your grace would perhaps prefer the key on the inside" he said. with an odiore ennirE and .l-bffs4 hi.