The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-06-30
CHAPTER xI-Continued

! Then sealed the envelope up and
addressed it to the Duchess Of
Whelp. And then Winter fetched
Parish again and I gave it into his
hand-and made him swear to hold
it till ten the following day.
At half past three / saw the Ouch
ess again.
She spoke to me very kindly and
said that my lady had told her of
our ''most unpleasant experience"
the night before and hoped that I
was no worse for my struggle to
save my life. After that she wished
me good luck sin the matters you
now have in hand" and said she
should look for my coming in four
days time. And when I kissed her
hand, she lifted me up and held my
face against hers and thanked me
for "plucking our darling out of the
jaws Of death"
Then, though I knew my way, she
called Godolphin and told her to
show me out; and, before I knew
where I was, was passing through
the state of the bedroom which Brief
reserved for persons of royal de-
scent. Thirty seconds later I stood
in the picture-gallery
Elizabeth turned from window
and came to my side.
ssCome and sit down, my darling"
She put her arm through mine and
led the way to seat. "You look so
tired and shaken, and though God
knows you have cause, it isn't like
you. And now you're going straight
off-to travel day and night to Lon
don and back. Oh, I wish was
going with you. I shan't know a
moments rest till I see you again."
With a superhuman effort, !
braced myself for the part which
I could not play. Somehow / had
to play it-for both our sakes. She
simply must not know that this was
the end.
got to my feet and drew her into
my arms.
''My sweet" said, ''if seem to
you unnatural, that is because I am
trying to play a part. ! am trying
my best to pretend-to make my
self believe, that do not mind
taking my leave. # you cannot
help me to this, then my resolution
will crack and shall not go, After
all, I've fine excuse--ssI have mar
ried wife, and therefore I cannot
come And the man ! promised to
speak for can 60 to hell !.
ssNow I never realized how much
it was going to cost me to keep
the promise made. It is costing
me so much that I dare not consid-
er the price, because, if I did, !
know that / shouldn't pay it-and
yet it's got to be paid, if I am to
keep my word. So I'm trying to
make believe.
''Now, of course, it's utterly hope
less to pretend that I don't mind
going and leaving you here. I might
as well pretend that / liked being
down in that well. So I've made
up my mind to pretend that, when
I run into Innsbruck, I'm running
out of some Dream
'sAfter all, it's been rather like
one-for me, ! mean. Raven, Ira
Gerry, Brief: and the Duchess of
Whelp-and you. Who ever saw any,
one like you outside some dream?
Who ever saw such beauty of face
and form? What hair ever snelled
so sweet? What temples were ever
so lovely? What hands were ever
so cool? And what queen ever spoke
so gently, or told a man that she
loved him, or put up her darling
mouth except in a dream? So I'm
going to pretend I've been dream
ing for if I've been dreaming,
I don't have to leave you behind.
My dream, my shining wonder, will
always be herein my heart. There
can be no separation. No miles can
lie between us because you are not
of this world. When I'm crossing
the Channel, I shall hold you as
close in my arms as I'm holding
you now. Day and night you'll be
with me-always: sleeping and wax
ing, I'll have my cheek against
yours" / threw back my bead and
laughed. II shall be so rich I'll be
almost afraid to come bach, because
that will mean the rendering up of
my dream"
Dropping shadow for SUBJ
stance" she smiled. Perhaps you
won't like me so well"
Then she laid her head on my
chest and I laid mine against hers.
And so we stayed, while the merci-
less sands ran out-and the blood
ran with them, out Of some hole in
my heart.
Some clock struck four, and felt
a tremor run through her before its
kneI.
Once more I braced myself.
Then ! put my hand under her
chin and lifted her lovely head.
"Good-by. Elizabeth Virgil"
.sGood-by, my love-"
] kissed her lips.
Then we let one another go, and
I turned and walked out of the gal
lery, down to the hall.
One minute later the Rolls mae