Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26

Of Jnbelief: but more than either was
there sheer amazement.
"You go to odd lengths. my lord, In
pursuit of your 6musements."
Amusement Am I anlused7 Look
in my eyes, Johanna. Read my face.
Do you see amusement there?"
She marked his pallor, the dark rings
under his eyes which added TO their
feyerish luster. and something indefln.
terrified and enveloped her will.
You are mad. she said family,
seeking to resist the spell Of his gaze
Mad"
II have been. Mad with yearnins
ever since that day the governors
officer carried me away from Flushing,
Mad with doubts and distractions and
balancings. But the sight Of you has
made me sane again"
awsy2" she echoed. Il was all that she
had heard. and it confirmed her first
assumption. Against your will, do you
mean?"
"A prisoner. virtually, by an excess Of
zeal on the part of the governor here
He would not allow me TO communicate
with you, not even a letter could send
until he had made safe delivery of me
some weeks later to the duke. Then"
stern, and seemed oddly composed; no
btirgher housewife speaking to prince,
put just q woman TO man.
Then wondered II silence were not
best" He hung his head. He spoke
almost in shame. Il wondered IL IL
were not best to leave things where
they stood; to vanish without explana-
ton. There was my cursed station,
duty to the duke which demanded
in f a Nf ~ Afrkr Nr
duchy which I was born one day to
rule, as was pointed out to me in the
very hour of my deliverance from the
governors men. was torn two ways.
Between my love Of you and all that
my birth imposed upon me. 1 have
been so torn ever since that day. But
I ana so torn no longer. The struggle
is at an end 1t never could have
ended otherwise than this. Sooner or
later must have been as 1 am now:
at your feet, Johanna, a very humble
suppliant."
Something within her seemed TO
snap. There was in all this a cruel
irony he could not guess. Imply she
sank back in her chair, and for an I'M
slant her head with its stiff headdrcss
lolled sideways on her shoulder.
"Johannal You are I'LL"
She steadied herself. answering
1AS AlCub. ~ SJlilCS me.
They we're within two PAGES Of door
leading to the open. He proffered his
wrist. 1T is but step to the garden.
The air there will revive you. Come"
Obediently she set her hand, upon his
wrist and permitted him to conduct her
from the hail. They went unheeded by
all but one, and this a person of little
consequence to either of them: Kuoni
Won Stocken. the governors hump
backed fool.
In presenting Mistress Johanna that
day to the duke the Sire de Rhynsault
had remarked her closely, and after
ward had desired his fool to inform
himself concerning her. The fool, who
served his master in many capacities,
considered 1t part OF his task to OBJ
serve the lady's department at this ball,
| for the sake of the inference he might
draw from 1t Therefore, he lowered
near. Deeply intrigued, he advanced to
! put himself in the way of those two as
they approached the open door. He
fell back, however, without uttering the
quip he had prepared. The lady's deep
pallor, her faftering step, and Count
| Anthony's grave, preoccupied air, left
the fool stricken with amazement and
profoundly curious, staring after them
as they passed out.
To be continued tomorrow