Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-04

/
vengeance upon a woman whose only
offense against him is her virtue? You
do not fear the justice of your duke,
YOU say. MY husbands confession is
your buckler But you have no fear
of the justice of God? What Shield
will avail you against that when your
hour comes? viii you imperil your
immortal soul for. this empty satisfac-
ton you are contemplating?
Rhynsault moved from the edge of
the table, swung round to confront
her. squarely planted upon his feet.
Look you, madam, I have listened
long enough. If you are come to deafen
me with words, to weary me with
sermon upon Heaven and hell, you dis
tress yourself in vain. Heaven and he'll
have nothing to do with us at present
We are upon earth, we two, and alive.
Talk to me of this, and will listen.
For the rest. 1 do not want your hus-
bands life. 1t is the law that claims It, !"
You are the law in Middleburg."
Its minister only. If were to check
it now, and set your husband free, /
should be false to my duty as the dukes
lieutenant here. Yet, for your sake, l
would do even that" He paused
moment to add: But have my price.
And you know it, mistress"
With lowered eyes and in half
Strangled voice she answered him. Yes.
know it. And I know that, If 1 paid that
price my husband would curse and
abominate the life I had so purchased
for him"
Are you so sure?" said Rhynsault
softly and with that provoked revival
of her earlier indignation.
She looked UP at him in scornful
wonder. IT am sure that my husband
is a good, honest man, reverencing
purity +"
yet life is very sweet" the governor
reminded her
Honor is sweeter to honorable men"
Rhynsault leaned down a little from
his fine height. He spoke persuasively.
What need he know, since you are so
tender of his feelings? A thing done in
secret is thing not done at all"
That brought her to her feet in rage.
You pitiful knave! You infamous
villainl"
He flushed but kept his temper. eff
I am that, it is love has made me so"
''Love?" She flung the word at him
in deepest scorn.
AYE, love-" he insisted. Love such
as you have never known"
And never shall, please God" she
answered him
For long moment he stood meeting
the defiance of her glance, bordering
the lisSom grace of her figure so stiffly
erect, the proud poise of her golden
head, the distracting, maddening beau
ty of her delicate face. The wolf was
aroused in him, yet dominated by the
perception that to prevail he must here
play the fox. He commanded himself,
clenching his hands until the nails bit
into his palms. He smiled little,
very wistfully. and fetched a sigh that
was pure artifice.
SOL You are resolved, then, to let
him die?"
st have prayed to our Father In
heaven to purge the evil from your
your soul before 1t is too late, be-
Abruptly he strobe to the door, flung
1t wide and called the officer Of the
guard by name.
"CaSsaignacl"
A voice answered from the distance.
Approaching steps rang hollow in the
vast hall outside. Turning where he
stood, Rhynsault spoke to her In dis
rniSSal, harShly.
you had best return home, madam"
Confronting this f1nality, her panic
momentarily returned. "Ah, no, moi
Wait! Waltz
His white face sneered at her.
"Wait!" he echoed. Il have waited
already week. What am to wait
for now? Another sermon?"
She staggered where she stood, one
hand clutching her heart Then, real.
ling indeed that all was lost. she
gathered up her cloak and drew it about
her shoulders.
Leaden-footed she moved toward the
door and the waiting officer. Midway
she halted.
You'll give me leave to see my hus-
band before before
why should I deny you that2 But
time grows short. If you would see
him, you had best see him now-at
once"
Without awaiting her reply, he or
dered Cassaignac to bring Danvelt from
his prison and allow him to have speech
alone with his wife in the hall. Then
he held the door for her while she
passed out to await the coming of her
husband.
(To be continued.)