The Washington times., 1924-01-10
CHAPTER L1x.

next morning, but he forced him
self to eat a good breakfast and
read his newspapers. He was de-
termined to show her that he was
completely master Of himself. She
should be able to draw no unfa-
vorable comparisons with Hohen-
hauer, whose composure had prob
ably not been ruffled In forty
years. His comparative youth
might be against him, but, after
all, a man of thirty-four was no In
fant, and in some respects he was
as old as he would ever be. ~ie
knew the value Of dignity and self
control, and whatever might come
he would sacrifice neither. But
he sighed heavily. "Whatever
might come" But he refused to
dwell on alternatives.
1t was 10 o'clock when he pre-
sented himself at Nine. Zattiany's
door. AS he had hoped, his ring
was answered. Hohenhauer was
not the man to call on a woman at
10 in the morning.
The footnan permitted himself
to stare, and said deprecatingly:
''I am very sorry, Mr.. Clavering,
but madame told me to admit no
visitors"
did she?" He entered and toss
ed his hat on a high Italian chair.
Kindly tell her that / am in the
library and shall remain there until
she is ready to come down."
The man hesitated, but after all
Clavering had had the run Of thu
house, and it was possible that
madame believed him still to be in
the mountains. At all events he
knew determine ton when he saw
it, and marched reluctantly up tho
stairs.
Clavering went into the library.
He was filled with an almost un-
bearable excitement, but at least
the mans assertion that she wss
at home to no one cemented his
belief that she meapt to see moth
ing further Of Hohenhauer.
He glanced round the beautiful
mellow room SO full of memories.
After all he had been happier here
than he had ever been in his life
until they had gone up to the
woods! The rooms benignant at.
mosphere seemed to enfold him,
calmed his fears, subdued that in
ner culver. Surely she would sur
render to its influence and to his
whatever had happened. He knew
she had always liked him the bet
ter because he did not make love
to. her the moment they met, but
today he would take her by sur
prise, give her no time to think.
But, as Mrs. Oglethorpe had once
told him, a clever man Is no match
for a still cleverer woman.
At the end of fifteen minutes
the footman opened the door ana
announced:
Madame is in the car, sir, ana
begs you win join her"
Clavering repressed a violsnt
start and an imprecation. But
there was nothing to do but follow
the man; fortunately he did not
have what was known as an "open
countenance." Let her have her
own way for the moment. Se
could-and would-return with
her. For the moment he felt
primitive enough to beat her.
She was wearing a black dress
with a long jade necklace and a
large black hat, and, as she ran
down the steps, he had time fur
ther to observe that she was even
whittier than usual and had dark
rings under her eyes.
"It is too beautiful morning 20
remain indoors" she said, as she
gave him her hand and he took the
the seat beside her. 1--WE will drive
in the park and then up the river
for q Bit"
She was completely at her ease,
and she was the Nine. Zattiany of
the night he had met her. But she
did not elaborate the role, and
asked him tow he had left his
friends at the camp and If ne had
enjoyed his fishing trip.
Enough of this" he interrupted,
when he had mastered his excite.
ment at being close to her once
more. After all, he had expected
something Of the sort. She was
just the woman to fall back on her
internal technique. "T know that
you went down to Huntersville to
meet Hohenhauer, ana Cnat the re-
suit Of that interview was an
abrupt flight from me-possib'y
from him. I want the truth"
Her face had flushed, but as the
color ebbed she looked almost
waxen. IT relied on Din"
well, 1 guessed 1t and he
admitted the fact. And IL he
hadn't I'd have come after you.
anyhow. Your note was enough
to tell any man something
was wrong. / shall not
be put of and ! win have an