Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-21
He plucked back the hood Of her


started backwards to the door. locked it,
CROPPED feverishly for another candle
stick, took out finder box and struck
light.
She crouched within yard of him,
hidden in the folds Of a long cloak.
well, who-what are YEP" he de-
manded.
Your prisoner. 'twould seem" she
answered, her voice smooth and I'M
troubled.
LAY, 1 have We fast enough" he nod
ded prirnlv But who are We? Here
to see!" He stopped and plucked back
the hood of her cloak. Gray eyes
black-lashed, that stared up at him
from the pale oval of a face framed IN
dark treSses of lustrous hair vivid lips
Arm set and resolute like her smooth
rounded chin; her eyes drew and helo
his regard. eyes that met his unqualllng
and with never sign of fear.
SHE viewed him serenely, from his dis
ordered wig to muddy riding boots: his
somber eyes deep-set beneath timex,
black brows. his dominant nose, the
sardonic bitterness Of curling lips. the
grim line of jaw; middling tail man.
all lean strength and supple poise DE,
spite the careless SLOUGH OF oroao
shoulders.
you must be Julian Guyfford!" said
she. at last.
'Ha. must I 500" he answered.
You will help me, sir to avert shame
and misery from one I love"
"A MANI"
"A woman, sir. and very young-very
glIileless.'
"Guileless?" he repeated. "Breathes
there such woman indeed? And pray
NAM" he went on, why should I help
you?"
man"
.But a man that scorns women
kind" he retorted.
In one 1.-the movement she was upon
her feet. facing him with chin upf1ung'
q very figure OF scorn.
II doubt but some dairy maid hath
houted you of late, poor youth! she
murmured. IT'S possible years shall
heal the smart and bring you a little
manhood"
He laughed harshly and bowed, slap
ping his knee. Il protest It's most
palpable hit. A little manhood, says
you-hum!"
"Mr. Guyfford, are you man of
honor?"
Faith, mann. I fear not-Question
those respectable gentlefolk, my neigh
bors, and they shall assure you OF the
fact, with deplorable particulars"
Nor do your looks belle you, sir"
my looks, mann? You'd say my
poor visage matched my reputation!
Egad, am I so evil-like? Pray was 1t to
browbeat a disreputable dog or plead
his aid that you broke into his house?"
Neither, sir; twas merely to steal.
To recover a letter addressed to your
cousin, Sir Richard Guyford." i
Addressed say you. to Sir Richard
Guyfford So-damn my cousin!"
Heartily, Sirl' she murmured, nod
ding at him f1ercely. But he was star
ing at the candle. whistling softly be-
tween his teeth. quite lost in gloomy
thought; whereupon she surveyed him
anew with quick, feminine eyes. HIS
age? Anything between 20 and 40. And
In puckered brow, grim mouth and in
don1itable chin was there not an air of
latent power-and more, hint of some
thing nobler? And despite sullen look,
his features were good enough: also he
was younger than she had supposed.
Now was he truly an evil man or bitter
disillusioned boy? His age should be
about 30-and then all men were chill
dren-.
And yet said he suddenly. Il have
neither seen nor heard of such letter."
How should you, sir? Twas addressed
to your cousin. Sir Richard, and he is
away in London. But twas delivered
here this afternoon to a man IN livery
with scar on his face"
"Ha, this will be Tom Pitt! And you
came liither to steal it, MANN"
Or buy 1t back at any price before
Sir Richard should receive it
Reaching out to bell rope beside the