i
Ml 8wm &nl Hie finger
re
Yc Sons oF France a -wake to glo
rv-i
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I.
HAT you ask la Impossible. I would not marry
A T I my lord were b to offer mt bit fortune, be-
11 I MUM "
V V I Th g-lrl paused. She tood with one hind
resting on the corner of the table, and look
ing steadfastly Into the wood fire before her.
Her father, man of 00, whoae face bore testi
mony to the paisaa;e of years, taxed Inquiring
ly at her. He was not a man to be thwarted.
" Well?" be said. " Go on. We come to the point There
la a reason. Another lover, perhapsT"
" The man I love," the girl corrected, " la 'Rouget de
Lisle."
"Ah;"
Augustln Dletrlck, honorable cltlsen and mayor of Btras
burg in the year of grace 1792, walked alowly across to the
window and looked out. The snow swirling down the street
clung to the doorsteps and eaves, and found a bavenage on
the window sill.
" A bad night." be said, with an effort to turn his thoughts.
"And heaven help all who haven't a roof to shelter them,
for they won't help themselves. Fools! What they could do
If they only chose! But no; they will let Louis drive them
to the devil, and perish at the palace gates extolling his good
deeds."
He returned to his daughter's tide and put his band on her
khoulder.
" Vlolette my little Vlolettel Tou are the prettiest girl
In the city. I have watched you grow up, little one, and
am proud of you. Now you have the power to stir these dolts
Into action. See how they suffer; but once provide the money
and you give them power. Today they work and toll for a
papper's pittance; tomorrow justice shall usurp tyranny "
He paused as the tears started to her eyes.
" Rouget de Lisle," he muttered, more to himself than to
her. " Artilleryman and pauper. Drowned In debts, ana
muslo his sole asset Rouget de Lisle dreamer; and yoa
love him! So his visits here have been made with a purpose.
Is that not soT"
"No, no!" the girl cried. "He does not know; he must
never know! I only tell you the truth to avoid the hypocrisy
of pretending to love another."
" Tet I like the lad." continued Dletrlck. " He Is a Strang
mixture of emotions outwardly an Icicle. Inwardly a raging
volcano. If he would only break out and rouse these people
I'd give him my little Vlolette In a month."
The words had scarcely passed his lips before two heavy
raps came upon the door without Vlolette, running Into the
passage, turned the lock, and a man, tall and elim, wearing
s hea,vy military overcoat stepped silently In. Then, with
out speaking, he shook the lumps of snow that clung to htm
to the brick floor and proceeded with the same strangeness
of manner, and without even a greeting, to remove his coat.
Dletrlck came forward, holding a lamp well above his
head, so that the flickering jets of light fell on the young
man's pale face. .
" De Lisle, on my soul!" he said.
De Lisle nodded and followed his host Into the sitting
room, and Vlolette slipped away to her little boudoir upstairs
end left them alone, as she Invariably did.
" You see," Dletrlck said, pointing to the remains of the
frugal supper that lay on th table. " Plenty does not reign
here, but bread warranted not more than two days baked
la yours if you wish. Still, what matters It if we have fire In
cur hearts life, hope, to spur us forward to a bright tomor
row?" " Bravely said," answered De Lisle, leaning forward In his
chair and resting his head on his hands. Dletrlck, sitting op
Mslte him, noticed that his face was pinched and worn.
There were dark rings round the eyes, his nalr unkempt,
clustered thickly over his forehead. Presently Dletrlck d-ew
a louls from his pocket and held It out
" See that?" he asked. " Starvations on the other aide
of It. Verily, Straaburg'a mayor will come to beg his dally
tread at the cathedral door, unless "
" Yes?"
"Unless somctfcfng happens. De Lisle, have you ever
thought of marrying?"
" Many times. I ', there were no such thing as marrlago
I should not be here tonight I have come to ask your con
sent to my speaking to Vlolette."
Dletrlck started slightly; then rose, and, going to the
cupboard, produced a flagon of wine.
' I have two flagons left," he said. " Tonight we will
break one." Then, as he proceeded to pour the crimson wine
Into the cups, he added: " You love Vlolette? So! And Vlo
lette loves you. I had it from ber lips a few minutes ago."
De Lisle started to hit feet' '"
" Thank . heaven I" ha cried. " You mean It you speak
the truth?" '
"I am a magistrate," replied Dletrlck, significantly.
"Drink! Ahl that wine Is good. Now we will come to
terms. No doubt you have arrived at the conclusion that the
Seine would be a fitting grave for his majesty, or you would
not mention marriage with the daughter of the king's best
enemy."
" You mistake me, friend," answered De Lisle. " 1 was
born a royalist, and I die one. My father perished for his
sovereign, and bade me with his dying breath remain sacred
to my oath and serve my king!" De Lisle lifted his cup and
fctr eyes sparkled with new life, "Vive la France!" he crlea.
Vive la "
Dletrlck leaped to his feet and dashed the cup from his,
band before It could reach hla lips.
" Not here," be exclaimed fiercely. " The name of Lout
In a name to juggle with. We do not mention It with wine.
Come, fill again, and drink to the people ground down ana
kicked like doga by a despotlo monarch. To the People I
Bra vat"
De Lisle sat sullen, with the cup tilted In his hand, star
ing Into the firs, and the other, seeing that he had made an
Impression, bent low, and whispered quickly in bis ean
"You fool," b said. "Don't you see how they suffer?"
Cannot you see what France la coming to? She Is the sport
of on man's whim. The people are broken; they are like
sheep, to be driven and beaten Just as Louis chooses. But
rouse them once rouse them and France will dry her tears
end amlle again. Olve them courage and hope new lit.
1 ou can do It; you hav th power j that witchery of musia-
you can rouse them by heaven, you can!"
He had slipped to his knees, his face set with fierce, burn
ing passion, and his hand resting on that of the youth crouch
ing In the chair. The words that fell from his lips were ut
tered so imploringly and with such paslonat emotion that
they would have changed a heart of steeL
"Once rouse them from this lethnrgy and Vlolette Is
yours. llve them freedom, and they are your slaves. Muslo
Is In your soul, and you can give them a song that will stir
them, wake them again, and make them men. Will your
You must! What Is an oath when France la suffering be
cause no one will lead her? You shall be ber leader; your
name shall go down to posterity as her maker. Drink'"
De Lisle drained his cup, and Dletrlck replenished it. well
knowing that two cups of wine would unsteady his guest s
brain. Three, and muslo babbled from him like water from
a sponge. Four, and his stubborn will would be broken. He
walked across to the window, breathing quickly.
" Come here!" he cried at last - And De Lisle, like one In a
dream, obeyed, and stood by Dtetrlck's side ss he held the
curtains apart
" See that woman?" said the latter hoarsely, pointing Into
the street. "See how she staggers and rocks with the cold
and pain! They fed her at the cathedral steps two days ago.
She Is homeless. In the morning they will find her deaa at
the city wall. Cold and starvation! Now close your eyes and
open them again. So! A woman stands there It is Vlolette
she Is starving, dying! One louls to keep off that fate for
her tinlesa yon wake the people. Do that, and we can get
our rights; we shall no longer be robbed by the king. We
can work and get money for our labor. Think again. Which
is It to be the king or Vlolette?"
De Lisle reeled and covered his eyes.
"Don't torture me!" he exclaimed. " Ood In heavCnl
What Is an oath when a woman stands In the way?"
Dletrlck stood looking at him, a smile of triumph on his
face. Then, lifting his hand slowly, he pointed to a clavi
chord standing In the corner.
" You will do It tonight?" be asked.
"Tonight or never," responded De Lisle, staring at the In
strument vaguely, as the expression slowly faded from his
face. "Tonight I am not myself; tomorrow I am Rouget de
Lisle, servant of the king!"
Dletrlck walked across to the door. As he went out be
paused and looked back Into the room.
De Lisle, with trembling hands, was filling his cup brim
ful from the flngon. Then he lifted It above hla head and
cried aloud:
"To the People!"
He drained It off, but, even as th last drop passed his Up,
the cup fell from his hands and flew to splinters on the floor.
. .
Long Into the night De Lisle sat on a stool at th clavi
chord, his Angers wandering aimlessly up and down tb keys.
His feet were cold, but his head seemed on Are. Now ana' '
again little snatches of melody leaped from the Instrument
so that a solitary passenger n the street paused and llstcneo,
De Lisle drank deeper. His heart was beating tumult
ously and he could barely see the white streak of keys
through the haze that covered his eyes. Then he began to
beat hla feet on the ground to bring back the blood to them,
and the sound, coupled with the music and the win fumes
that were encircling his brain, (treated fantastlo pictures be
fore his Imagination. Beat! Beat! Beat! He saw a crow
marching, could hear in every beat the tramp of thousands
of feet; the fierce passion on their faces .urged him on.
Then, Just as the dawn broke and crept through the cur
tains, melody and words together rushed through his head
like a torrent beyond restraint And. when he had playea
the song through, his head drooped and the music paused.
Three hours Inter, when little Vlolette came Into the room
to draw the curtains, she found him lying at the foot of the
clavichord, one hand still resting on the mute keys. And In
his sleep he smiled.
II.
HEN De Lisle awoke the sunlight of morning was
streaming through the window full Into his face.
He started up, a dased expression In his eye.
Then he passed his hand wearily over bis face.
" I think I must have slept," he said apologetically.
" Do you wonder at that, monsieur?" Vlolette asked. And
he saw that her eyes were riveted on the wine stains on the
floor. It takes a strong head to stand flagon of good wine."
He shrank back, and sitting down on the stool watched
her. He could find no words for answer; he was conscious
only of his own shame. '
. The next moment Dletrlck himself entered- There was a
smile off his face, and crossing the room he put bis hana
on De Dale's shoulder.
" At exactly twenty minutes past 4 this morning Franoe
was saved," he said. " I heard It. I lay awake In a fever
of suspense waiting, waiting, watting. At last It came, the
melody that will stir all France. Then I slept, even as your
muslo died away. In my dreams I saw the people rising as If
with one accord to overthrow tyranny. And you were leading
them on, you were at their head you with that song. I saw
the dawn of a great republic. Come, let us hear the chant
again."
De Lisle stepped across to the clavichord, and, running
hla fingers over the keys, struck at once into one of the moat
soul stirring refrains the world has ever known. Little Vlo
lette, crouching In the window, bowed her head In awe, for,
as he played, De Lisle began to sing In his rich tenor voice
the words he bad composed to It Once or twice Dletrlck
raised his eyes as If In gratitude to provldenoe for such
heaven born music; then he would Interlace his fingers, ana
at each Hit of the passionate note clinch them so tightly
that the nails bit Into the flesh. At last, his eyes wet with
tears, he crept from the room.
The muslo ceased, and De Lisle, rising from th Instru
ment, looked steadfastly at Vlolette. Then he went towards
her with outstretched hands.
"Last night I was a beast of the field," he said, "let
that song was the result Why should a drunken debauch
be sanctifies, with such musio as that? I have no excuse to
make. I came to offer you my love, the true love of my '
heart and soul, find now I am more conscious of my own
worthlesaness than I have ever been before."
He bad drawn a little away from her, but she rose and
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stood before him.
"Have jou never thought," she said, "that genius like
yours might lead you to the heights of fame were It not for
that one failing? I admire you, and yes, in spite of your
fault respect you. Knowing this, and because I ask It, will
you not try for one year, twelve short months, to cut your
self aloof from the wlnecup?"
Hla face brightened. Into a smile of hope.
" And If I aid, little Vlolette. and then at the end of that
time asked you to give me what I so freely bestow upon you
my deepest, truest love what would you say?"
" If you stooped to do me such an honor, I could give you
but one answer. You have a natural talent for music, whicn
should make you great; but. Ignoring this entirely. If you
were able to make such a conquest over self, I should con
sider you the noblest, greatest man that ever lived."
"I can," he said, "because you ask It. And then
But hark! What la all this stir In the street?"
He ran to the window, and, looking out, saw the crowd
gathering below some of them 111 clad and starving, the
others borne down with unrewarded toll. At the same mo
ment Dletrlck burst Into the room.
" Quick!" he cried. " The people are awake at last. Du
quesne Is at their head Duquesne, the scoundrel who Is only
fit for the ax. They are accusing you of being a spy In the
service of the king. I tried to reason with them, but Du
quesne only shrieked a curse on you, and aid you had audi
ence of the king two days ago. I told him It was a lie."
De Lisle stood without flinching.
" A lie?," he repeated. " It la the truth. I was sent to
the palace with a dispatch from my commanding officer."
" The truth? Mon Dleu! They will kill you for It!"
" I am not afraid."
Then, without Bpeaklng, De Lisle opened the window ana
stepped out upon the balcony, pnly to be met with a storm of
howling and Jeers.
" Citizens of Strasburg," he cried. " I greet you! Listen!"
The gaunt figure, standing but a moment ago a mark for
the stones j uried at him by the Infuriated mob, seemed a u
by the majesty of his presence to cast a spell over the crowd,
and the howling simmered 'down to a. low murmur, like tno
breaking of the 'sea on a shingled coast.
Then, wkh one hand on hla breast, De Lisle began to sing,
so that hla voice reverberated over the crowded streets,
making every man who heard him a slave to the witchery
of the music.
"To arms, citizens! Form your battalions!"
Ere the i.rst verse ended the multitude forgot its temper
and listened. Another verae followed, then another. The
murmuring sank Into silence and the silence in Its turn gave
way to a burst of cheering.. Then th crowd began to dis
perse, singing as It went the refrain of the war song which
today rouses the blood of Frsnce as It did at that moment
the refrain of the " Marseillaise."
De Lisle turned again Into th room, a smile of trlumpn
on his face.
" You see, I have conquered," he said to Vlolette. " And
one year hence one year from today you shall say that
too!"
IGIITEEN months had passed away, and France, J
the great France that was to be, had awaked j
from her slumber at last. The people were no
longer the slaves of the rich, the puppets pullea''
which way liuls wished, as if by a string. Ana A
throughout the land rang the melody which De
Lisle had given to the world.
Of little Vlolette he had seen nothing. They had told him ;
that Dletrlck had perished at the guillotine when the people j
turned upon him, and the crowd chanted the "Marseillaise" J
as he died. Even De Lisle himself had been thrown Into
prison on the suspicion of being a royallKt. but at last he had i
made good his escape, and lay, a victim to fever, at a little
chalet In the Alps. ,
He opened his eyes at last one bright summer morning l
and supped from the cup of water his mother held to hla
Hps. , ;
"God be thanked!" she said. "You are better. See, her j
Is a rose some one, a simple country girl, left for you yes
terday." ,
He crushed the blossom In his hand. s
"Llttlei v.olette," he murmured. "No one but she would
have sent me a rose her favorite flower.";"
"Little Vlolette!" exclaimed the woman at hlaclde. ;
"Who is she?" ' '. .. ,' . . . .' ;
He raised himself In bed.
"There is only one womarwworthy of so sweet a name," '
he said. "The woman I love best In-the . world. Go out and
find her. Heaven! that I should be bound" to this vile bed '
when a day's an hour's delay may take her from mel" ?
The , woman bent ' to catch the description he gave, then V
left the room On the pretext of finding the girl who had left ;
a rose at the chalet the day before. But she went no' further i
than the garden, and str.nding among the treea she curseaj
the girl who had stepped between ber and the man ahe baa j
saved from the brink of the grave. i'
" You have found her?" De Lisle asked, when she returned '
to the room. t '.:
"Alas! she left the village yesterday. I was too late!"
De Lisle lay back and groaned. And not until aucset did f
he cjose his eyes and sleep on towarda recovery. .
Within a month he was able to go out unattended, and he
made his way quickly towards th village. But as he crosses '
the fields he heard a voice coming from among the treee -j
chanting a song he knew his song the war song of the peo-
pie. A moment later he was face to face with little Vlo
lttte. ' ' ' i
"Vlolette!" he cried In amazement. "They told me you r
had left the village." , J
" I could not do that so long as It contained you," she re- I
plied. " I followed you from Paris." .
" I escaped from prison."
" I know. Then Martel was true." ,
"You bribed him?" he asked. "And I wondered to (his
day why he had such an affection for me."
"A handful of louls Is a good antidote to loyalty," sb
said. .
"How you must have saved!" he said, as he drew her
Into his arms. ' Do you remember that day at Strasburg h
when you promised to give me your love If If , ..
"if mi rnnnneredT And vou have conauered now."' sh
said. ' ,
t i
A
'SSSi
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mm
VAIN SACRIFICE
V
By Dorothy BalrcL
HEN Harold Granville was offered a post In the
xpeditlon to the Philippines there could be no
thought of a refusal. The expedition was to
be commercial as well as missionary; the re
source Of the country were to be opened up,
the heathen civilized, and a vast fortune
acquired by the promoters of the scheme. The
promoters wer to stay at home, provide the
capital, and wait for the fortune; tb work was to be dan
by Harold and a few other men aa brave as be. It was the
chance of aTllfetime for blm, and If be played his cards well,
there was no reason why be should not make his fortune also.
Not that he wanted the money for hla own sake, but ther
were Marlon and th baby, and to far be bad not been able to
lay by for the future.
And so be uoeepted th post without demur, although
his heart waa heavy at the mere thought of leaving Marlon.
Marlon agreed that.lt was best, though all the while she
felt that the trial was greater than ahe could bear The
appointment was for five years, the doctors considering that
no American could stand th climate for a longer period, and
to both the young people thoee flv years seemed to stretch
away In boundless Infinity. Yet neither complained, and both
nere outwardly calm and bright
And the day fled by so awlftly. It seemed but a mo
ment from th tlm of hla appointment to th helpless agony
ot th last day and night at home. Marlon broke down once,
only once, and tbat waa when he bent over their sleeping
child to take hla last kiss..
" I can't bear U!" ahe aald, struggling with the terrible,
tearless sobs that shook her frame. " Llto la o shortand
and we've only ben -married eighteen monthe."
Harold dared not truat himself to comfort her as he
wished. So he Just kissed hee, and went away downetalra.
Hut she understood, and presently sh followed, dressed
ready t go with him to the dock. Sh was quit calm, and
a heart broken smile was upon ber Hp.
From the flrat a aenae of hopelessness oppressed ber, and,
aa the weary days dragged by th ftelipg rw. Harold s
cheerful letter did not comfort ber. b wa only eonolou
cl th danger that beset hlm-nothlng beyond. So she was
l.ot surprised when the news of his death reached her; It
aeemed merely the Inevitable for which he had long been
prepared. ' t
"I knew HI" sh whispered, bending over the child. " I
knew It all along. ADd I wa not with blm six whole months
lostand not there at the last hen he wanted me most
It need not have been It need not have been!"
That was the bitterest thought of all be might have been
at home, alive and well.
Soon Charlie Blcknell cam to see her. He bad been at
school and college with Harold, and the two bad been th .
closest friends. Marion's calm frightened him. Save for th
tenure In the depths of her eyes, ber face was Ilk a mask,
and only when be told her wha be meant to do did ah show
ny animation,
" I am going to the Philippines, ' he said. " I thought t
would like to see to find out all I can. I thought you would
like me to "
He stopped, for he had loved Harold dearly.
Marion held out her hand.
" Bring me photographs. Charlie," ahe said. " And find
Where he lies. Any little memento "
And so Charlie started on his journey.
He disembarked a Manila and waited there some weeks,,
collecting men for his journey. It was a difficult task, for
nearly all the available natives bad been taken for the ex
pedition, and must of the villages on his route were hostile.
Not only was he unable to reckon on adding to his troop
further up cquntry, but he must travel with sufficient force
to overcome any opposition that might b offered to hla
progress.
But at laat he waa ready, and he waa glad. The atate ot
Inaction waa , ut.tearable, especially In th horrible climate
which seemed to sap at his very life. He lingered long at th
ramp th night before b was to stsrt making quite sure
that all was right Then b burrtod back to hla hotel to
write to Marlon and tell her that be waa off at last
His room was In darkness when b entered, and he gave
r muttered exclamation at tb carelessness of bis man. Then
he stood still. Somsthlng, somebody, waa In the room, and
the horror brought by th certainty of aom unknown and
n ysterlous preaeno aelsed bold of blm '
Who's there?" b akd aharply. Hi bardly expected
a reply, for he bad a feeling that tb prsene was not human.'
Hut an answer cam,, and th vole that spoke was that
(( hi dead friend.
For a tlm th shock seemed to numb hlro-verythlng waa .
blurred and Indistinct Slowly, very slowly bis dased wits,
cleared. He wa holding Harold's band-an actual hand of
flesh and blood listening to his Incoherent words of Joy and
greeting. v ' .
, Still a latent aense of horror, a strong feeling of unreality.,
clung to the younger man. He fumbled for his matoh boa.,
He should understand better when be could see.
"Pon't" said Harold. "Leave me la th dark for a Ill
tie while."
Charlie compiled, and the hot brooding darkness seemed '
lj closo in round blm, suddenly fraught with bewilderment
fear, and unreality.
And thua he heard the weird tale how the expedition had
teen attacked In the dead of night by a barbarous horde of
natives, how In the sauve qui peut which followed, all had
eacaped aave Harold, how. he had been taken alive by the
savages, and had suffered unamenable tortures at their handa.
Of hla escape be could give no clear account His mind,
partially Impaired by horror and suffering, retained no dis
tinct image of that terrible time, only he knew that at last
he found himself at Manila. Here he entered the hospital
under an assumed name, and waa nursed back to life and
the sanity he had so nearly lost Here, too, he heard ot
Charlie's expedition, for men had been hired from Manila,
and he had come with all haste to prevent him from pushing
or Into the dangers up country.
There was something lpexpresslbly eerie In the situation
stttlng there In the dark, and listening to the story of a man
risen, as It were, from death Itself. The horror of what Har
old had gone through seized upon Charlie's soul. The grew
someness of the story would haunt him till his dying day;
what could it be to Marion? The thought came like a blow.
" You hav written to Marlon, of course," be said.
There was a pause, and when the answer came Harold's
-voice was strained and bard.
" No," ha said. . -
Charlie wa silent. His mind waa groping, aa It were,
among the jumbled unrealities that seemed to crowd around
him In the darkness. Presently Harold spoke again.
" To Marlon, to all the world but you, and especially to
Marlon. I am dead I must always be dead."
Fresh horror crept over Charlie, a aenae of something more
terrible to com.
" Why?" he asked; and hla lips felt stiff and cold. '
" Light the lamp. You will know why." Ther waa an
undertone of anguish In Harold's voice.
Charlie obeyed like one In a dream; ha seemed to have lost
all power of personal volition; an Intangible terror possessed
blm utterly. When at last th light struggled out Into tb
room, he turned ar K fascinated, and -as be gaaed the beads of
perspiration atood out upon hla brow, and be trembled from
head to foot ,
t U waa only the wreck ot a man In a low chair before
him. halt and maimed, grotesque horrible. The face waa
hidden from sight by the one hand that remained.
"Your ce!" gasped Charlie. " qur face!"
Slowly Jar'old drew away his hand, and looked up. Only
on one side wer there any traces ot the handsome boyish
face he remembered. The rest good heavens! what was
it? Was it a trick of a disordered fancy? Could mind of
man conjure up anything so hideous so terrible? Was It
possible that the image before him bad ever been a human
countenance? He felt his etrained nerves giving way. With
a quick gesture be extinguished the larqp; and the. merciful
darkneee closed them In once more. (
And so an hour passed.
" What was It?" asked Charlie at last
" Fire. They meant to burn me. I do not know how I
escaped."
The sound of his voice was a relief. It was Harold's
voice; the object that met the light was hardly human.
"Marlon is breaking her heart for you," said Charlie,
almost mechanically. .
" Better that than tied for life to this."
" She loves you. She would gladly face It" ' '
" She must never know. She Bhall never face It"
The unreal feeling of nightmare had come back.. It lasted
all through the long, silent Philippine night, as they two sat
and argued and discussed till all was settled. And alj the
time Charlie dreaded, more than he had ever dreaded any
thing in his life, the time when the screen of darkness should
be lifted and he must again see the man at his side.
After all, perhaps, it was better to leave things aa they
were. The penaion from the company would aupply. all Ma
rlon'a needs. She had gone through the worat agony of her
loss, and merciful time would heal the wound. She would
be spared the horror he was enduring. Surely no woman
who loved could gaze on her husband in that pitiful state and
yet retain her aanlty?
So Charlie Blcknell sailed alone for America by the next
boat bearing with him a few sprigs of the creeper that grew
on the verandah outside his room at Manila. Harold had
picked them, and It was easy to Invent some tale about them.
Nevertheless, he shrank from meeting Marlon, and from
answering ber questions.
But he need not have feared It Marlon was calm, and
she asked no questions, for her wound waa too raw to allow
ber to apeak freely on the subject.
" I could not find, bis grave," he said. " He fell Into th
hands of a hostile tribe. This creeper grew on th hotel at
Manila. He staid ther befor going up country."
"I that all?"
Her purple ringed eyea seemed to burn blm.
"That Is all." ha said.
He felt that she did not believe him, that sh divined he
wa holding something back. But she seemed to feel that It
was ony something which would add to her pain, and sh ac
cepted his merciful silence. They never alluded to the sub
ject again, though they met often. But she was one of thus
women to whom time brings no balm She could never for- "
get .
And beyond an occasional letter to Charlie. Harold mad,
no sign. Voluntarily he gave up everything for the sake of
the woman he loved. No one knew what It cost him 'to do so.
For many years he staid In the Philippines, becuuse he
could trust himself no nearer home, and he supported him
self by writing on scientific subjects. But as tlm went on,
the homesickness ot an exile aeized him in its Inexorable
clutches, and he began to wander In more familiar scene.
He could trust himself now not that the desire to see Marlon
was weakened, that could never be but years of battle with
himself had given him the mastery. And so he roamed
through Italy and Germany and France, every move bring
ing him nearer home, till at last he found himself in America. 1
He meant to bury himself ' In Chicago.- It was Vast
enough to hide him, be thought; besides; he wa completely
hevond recognition. Time had added its disguise to the dis
figurement; he was old beyond his years. He would be hap-j
pier in vmcttBu iimu any wiit-io pujuiib um iixitcs. aiiu uw
would be nearer Marlon. There was comfort even In that
As soon as he arrived he went to see If Charlie was In
town. The two men had not met since they parted, ten years
before, and Harold yearned for a grasp of a friendly baud.
It waa a mere chance that Charlie would be in Chicago,' But
when Harold Inquired at the hotel where he always staid be
was directed' to the usual suite of apartments. .
Charlie was out at the time, and Harold amused him
self with looking round the room. So many things were
familiar the black leather bag for papers, the traveling;
clock and writing case he remembered them all so well. He
stole a cigar out of a box on the mantel piece, and settled!
himself down before the fire. The lapse of years since he had
last sat In that chair seemed suddenly to have'dwlndled down
to a mere nothing. (
Soon there came the sound of footsteps In the corridor,!
and the door handle turned abruptly. -v.
" Be quick with the papers, 'pleasa, Charlie," said a worn
an'a voice. " As I told yoj, little Harold Isn't well, and I,
must get home tonight" Then followed a atarlltd exclamal
tlon when she becum conscious of the figure In the chair be-j
fore the Are. ' ' "
Harold dared not move. He knew the voice only too well;
and he prayed silently that Charlie might s - him and take
her away before she saw bis face. But no; sllenoe that
followed waa broken by the rustle of a woman' skirts, com
ing ever closer and closer. ' '
Not till she to.! before him did he dure to raise his head.
Then h saw hi r with the light of recognition welling slowly
through the bewiliitrment In her eyes only recognition and
love, nothing more no horror, no repulsion. The sight, of
which the recollection could still turn Charlie sick and shudA
derlug, had no power except to i.tr to the utmost the pity In
her woman's heart. With a low, qulvarlng cry she tell orj
tier knees beside hlin, hutsxlng the maimed arm to her breaat
and It fai on the dlxtordd, obliterated side of his face tha(
her klsHis lingered tindi-reat.
So Harold knew that his sacrifice was In vsJn.