Evening Star Newspaper, May 3, 1924, Page 22

REAL ES Mistress Wilding By Rafael Sabatini Author of “Scaramouche,” Copyright, 192 ‘Captain Blood,” ete. by Houghton MiMin Company Star.) “You hope it?" he cried, arresting his step, turning, and im oning her left hand in his ou hope it? Ah. if you hope for my return, return 1 will: but un- less 1 know that you will have some welcome for me such 1 desire from you, I think . his voice quivered cleverly, “I think, perhaps, it were well if . . if my fore- bodings were not as groundless a; You say they are. Tell me. Ruth But she interrupted him. It was high time, she thought. Her face he saw was flushed, her eyes had hard- *ned somewhat Calmly she disen- saged her hand. “What is't you mean?" she asked, “Speak, Sir Rowland, speak plainly, that 1 may give you a plain answer.” 1t was a challenge in whicl case, and, accepting defeat, ha as orderly a retreat as still was p sible. But Sir Rowland, stricken in his vanity, went headlong on to utter rout. ince you ask me in such terms I will be plain, indeed,” he answered her. “I mean . . . He almost quailed before the ook that met him from her intrepid eyes. *“Do you not see my meaning, Ruth? ““That which 1 see,” said she, “I do not believe, and as I would not wrong vou by any foolish imaginings, I ‘would have you plain with me. Yet the egregious fool went on. *And why should you not believe your senses?” He asked her, between anger and entreaty. “Is it wonderful that I should love 2 it .. “Stop!” She drew back a pace from him. There was a moment’s silence, during which it seemed she gathered her fortes to destroy him, and, in spirit, he bowed his head before the coming storm. Then, with a sudden relaxing of the stiffness her lissom figure had assumed, “I_think you had better leave me, Sir Rowland,” she advised him. She half turned and moved a step away; he followed with Towering glance, his upper lip lifting and laying bare his powerful testh In a stride he was beside her. “Do you hate me, Ruth?’ he asked her hoarsely. “Why should I hate you?’ she counter-questioned, sadly. ~ “1 do not even dislike you,” she continued in a more friendly tone, adding, as if by way of explaining this phenomenon, “You are my brother's friend. But I am disappointed in you, Sir Rowland. You had, I know, no intention of offering me disrespett; and vet it is what you done.” As how?" he asked nowing me another's wife . . . " He broke in tempestuously. A mock marriage! If it is but that scruple stands between us . . .” think there Is more” she an- swered him. “You compel me to hurt you: I do so as the surgeon does— that T ma heal you." Why thanks for nothing,” he made answer. unable to repress a sneer. Then, checking himself, and resuming the hero-martyr posture, * § “I shall pray for you.” said she; for she had found him out at last, per- ceived the nature of the bow he Sought to draw across her heart- atrings, and, having perceived it, con- tempt awoke her. He had attempt- ed to move her by unfair, insidious means. He fell back, crimson from chin to brow. He stified the wrath that welled up, threatening to choke him. He was a short-necked man, of the sort—as Trenchard had once reminded him—that falls a prey to apoplexy, and surely he was never nearer it than at that moment. He made her a profound bow, bending himself al- most in two before her in a very irony of deference; then, drawing himself up again, he turned and left er. The plot which with some pride he Rad hatched and the reward he looked to cull from it were now to his soul as ashes to his lips What could it profit him to destroy Monmouth so that Anthony Wilding lived? For whether she loved Wilding or not, she was Wilding's wife. Wilding, nomi- nally at least, was master of that which Sir Rowland coveted; not her heart, indeed, but her ample fortune. Wilding had been a_stumbling_block 1o him since he had come to Bridg- water; but for Wilding he might have run a smooth course; he was still fool enough to hug that dear illusion to his soul. Somewhere ngland—if not dead already—this Wilding lurked, an outlaw, whom might shoot down at sight. Sir Rowland swore he would not rest until he knew that Anthony Wilding cumbered the earth no more—leastways, not the surface of it. He went forth to seek Newlington. The merchant had sent his message to the rebel king, and had word in answer that his majesty would be graciously pleased (o sup at Mr. Newlington's at 9 o'clock on the fol- lowing evening, attended by a few gentlemen of his immediate following. Rowland received the news with faction, and sighed to think that Wilding—still_ absent, heaven would not be of the reported that on the Monday Monmouth was to march to Gloucester, hoping there to be joined his CHeshire friends, so that it seemed Sir Rowland had not matured his plan a day too soon. He got to horse, and contriving to _win out of Bridgwater. rode oft to Somerton to concert with Lord Feversham con- cerning the men he would need for his undertaking. That night Richard made fres talk of the undertaking to Diana and to Ruth, loving, as does the pusillani- mous, to show himself engaged in daring enterprises. Emulating his friend Sir Rowland, he held forth with prolixity upon the great service he was to do the state, and Ruth, listening to him, was proud of his zeal, the sincerity of which it never ed her mind to doubt listened, too, but without illusions concerning Master Richard, and she kept her conclusions to her- self. During the afternoon of the mor- row, which was Sunday, Sir Rowland returned to Bridgwater, his mission to Feversahm entirely successful, and all preparations made. He completed his arrangements, and toward 8 oclock that night the twenty men sent by Feversham—they had slipped singly into the town—began to muster in the orchard at the back of Mr. New- lington's house. 1t was just about that same hour that Mr. Wilding, saddle-worn and dust-clogged in every pore, rode into Bridgwater and made his way to the Sign of the Ship, in the High street, overlooking the Cross where Trench- ard was lodged. His friend was ab- sent—possibly gone with his men to the sermon Ferguson was preaching to the army in the Castle Flelds. Hav- Ing put up his horse, Mr. Wilding, all dusty as he was, repaired straight to the castle to report himself to Mon- mouth. He was informed that his majesty was in council. Nevertheless, urging that his news was of importance, he begged to be instantly announced. After a pause, he was ushered Into a iofty, roomy chamber where, in the fading daylight, King Monmouth sat in council with Grey and Wade, Mat- thews, Speke, Fergusqn and others. At the foot of the table'stood a sturdy fellow, unknown to Wilding. Godfrey, the spy, who was to act as their guide across Sedgemoor that night; for the matter that was engaging them just then was the com- pletion of their plans for the attack that was to be made that very night upon Feversham's unprepared camp— a matter which had been resolved during the last few hours as an alter- native preferable to the retreat to- ward Gloucester that had at first been intended 5 Wilding was shocked at the change that had been wrought in Monmouth's appearance during the few weeks since last he had seen him. His face was thin, pale and haggard, his eyes were more somber, and beneath them there were heavy, dark stains of sleeplessness and care; his very voice, when presently he spoke, seemed to have lost the musical timbre that had carlier distinguished it: it was grown harsh and rasping. Disappointment after disappointment, set down to ill luck, but in reality the fruit of incom- petence, had served to sour him. The climax had been reached in the seri- ous desertions after the Philips Nor- ton fight and the flight of Paymaster Goodenough with the funds for the campaign. The company sat about the long oak table, on which a map was spread, and Col. Wade was speak- ing when Wilding entered. ©On his appearance Wade ceased and every eye was turned upon the mes- senger from London. Ferguson, fresh from his sermon, sat with elbows resting on the table, his long chin supported by his hands, his eyes gleaming sharply under the shadow of his wig, which was pulled down in front to the level of his eyebrows. Tt was the duke who addressed Mr. Wilding, and the latter's keen ears were quick to catch the bitterness that underlay his words. “We are glad to see you, sir; we not looked to do so again.” Not looked to do So, YOUr &r . . . 9 he echoed, plainly ~not tanding, and it was observed that he stumbied over the duke’s new itle. “We had imagined that the pleas- ures of the town were clalming your entire attention.” Wilding looked from one to the other of the men before him, and on the face of all he saw a gravily that amounted to disapproval of hin “The pleasures of the town?" said he, frowning, and again—"the pleas- ures of the town? There is something in this 1 fear 1 do not understand. “Do you bring us news that London has risen?’ asked Grey suddenly. 1 would T could,” said Wilding, smilingly wistfully. Is it a laughing matter?’ quoth Grey angrily. smiling matter, my lord,” an- swered Wilding, nettled. “Your lord- ship will observe that I Gid but smile. “Mr. Wilding,” said Monmouth darkly, “we are not pleased with you " “In that case returned Wilding, more and more irritated, “Your majesty expected of me more than was possible to any man.” You have wasted your time in London, sir” the duke explained. “We scnt you thither counting upon ur loyaity and devotion to our- ves. What have ycu done?” s much as a man could— Wilding began, when Grey inter- a man could,” he an- ere his gmice not the most foolishly clement prince in Christendom, a halter would be vour reward for the fine things you have done in London.” Mr. Wilding stiffened visibly, his long white face grew set, and his slanting eyes looked wicked. He was not a man readily moved to anger, but to be greeted In such words as these by one who constituted himself the mouthpiece of him for whom Wilding had incurred ruin was more than he could bear with equanimity; that the risks to which he had ex- posed himself in London—where, in- deed, he had been in almost hourly axpectation of arrest and such short shrift as poor Disney had—should be ac- knowledged in such terms as these was something that turned him al- most sick with disgust. To wha: manner of men had he leagued him- sclf? He looked Grey steadily be- tween the eyes. mind me of an occasion on which Apartments in New Building 1816 Vernon St. N.W. (Just West of 18th and You Sts.) 1 Room, Kitchen and Bath $55.00 2 Rooms, Kitchen and Bath $62.50 Open for Inspection B. F. SAUL CO. Main 2100 1412 Eye St. NW. Bradley Hills Washington’s Country Club District Villa sites and acreage properties facing or adjacent to the Congressional Country Club, the Burgming Tree Golf Club and the Montgomery Country Club, which has been purchased by the Syndicate. Bradley Road is the main thoroughfare through' the 2,250 acres of the Bradley Hills Properties which begin at the northwest corner of the Chevy Chase Golf Club and extend beyond the Congressional Country Club. Desirable lots in “The English Village,” “Hillmead,” “Montgomery Club,” “Burning Tree” and “Congressional” subdivisions. Prices on request. If you desire a $1,000 THE E\’ENINGv STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C.. SATURDAY; MAY 3, 1924 such a charge of foolish cleméncy might, indeed—and with greater jus- been “leveled against” his said he and his calm was almost terrible. His lordship grew pale at the ob- vious allusion to Monmouth’s mild treatment of him for his cowardice at Bridport, and his eyes were as baleful as Wilding's own at that moment. But before he could speak. Monmouth had already answered Mr. Wilding. You are wanting in respect to us, +Ir,” he admonished him Mr. Wilding bowed to the rebuke in submission that seemed ironical. The blood mounted slowly to Mon- mouth’s chesks. “Perhaps,” put in Wade. who was anxious for peace, “Mr. Wilding has some oxplanation to offer us of his failure.” His failure! They took too much for granted. Stitched in the lining of his boot was the letter from the Secretary of State. To have achlieved that was surely to have achieved something. “f thank you, sir, for supposing it answered Wilding, his voice hard with self-restraint; “I have indeed an explanaticn, “We will hear it.” said Monmouth. condescendingly, and Grey sneered, | thrusting out his bloated lips. “I have to offer the explanation that your majesty is served in Lon- don by cowards; self-sufficient and self-important cowards who have hin- dered me in my task instezd of help- ing me. 1 refer particularly to Col Danvers. Grey interrupted him effrontery, sir— Do vou call Danvers a “It is rot 1 who so call him: but the fzcts. Col. Danvers has run away.” “Darvers gore?’ cried Ferguson, voicing the consternation of all. (Continued in Tomorrow's Star.) “You have a . by God! Buying an Ancestor. From an English Newspaper. A man while strolling through the street saw and admired in a second- hand dealer's shop a portrait of an | admiral in full uniform. He offered £50 for it, but the dealer declined to| part with it for less than £75. As neither would give . the picture | remained where it Not long & , while visiting at a country house, he saw the picture hanging in the dining room. He went toward it with an exclamation of sur- prise. *“Hullo! What have you got here?" “Oh, that's a portrait that has just beén bequeathed to us,” replied his host, a rather vulgar, boastful man. “It is the portrait of one of Nelson's admirals, an anc r of ours.” 'Was he, indeed?” was the comment, “A month ago he was within £25 of becoming one of mine.” His Magnetic Stroke. From the Kaosas City Star. Mr. Chatter — Yes, he's a wonder. With a mere stroke of the pen he can change a sad face to a beamy smile. Mr. Blurt—Ah, he's a comic pen | artist? Mr. Chatter—No, he's rich. Also generous in signing checks. | the coins genuine, have FAKE MEXICAN COINS CIRCULATE IN CHINA Peasants and Shopkeepers Fooled and Latter Sustain Heavy Losses. By Cable to The Star and Philadelpbia Publie Ledger. Copyright, 1924 HONGKONG, Apsil 19.—American tourists in the Orient have no doubt often been surprised to see Mexican dollars freely circulating in Hong- kong and south China generally, but the explanation is to be found in the fact that, in normal times, they are of the same fineness of silver as the Hongkong and Chinese dollars. At present, however, the Mexican dollars are worth more than the south China coins of the same denom- ination, and, consequently, they are in considerable demand in Canton. where a premium can be had by changing them into native eoinage. This fact has led to the issue by secret Chinese syndicates of num- bers of fake Mexican dollars. Some of these coins have found their way into the hands of simple villagers, who have been ignorant of the fact that the genuine Mexican dollar is worth more than its Chinese equival- ent, and they have been making purchases with such coins in Canton, but have not been demanding any premium. Numerous shopkeepe thinking accepted them In the belief that they have | profited by taking them at the same value as the ( dollar. They have since 1 however, that these coins are duds, and thus have lost_heavily Stone & Fairfax wishes to announce that Mr. C. Lewis Dickson is now associated with them and will specialize on the sale of Northwest Residential Property Goldsmith and Company CLEVELAND PARK OPEN FOR INSPECTION SUNDAY 3013-3015 Porter Street N.W. New Cleveland Park Home with unusual modern fixtures and conveniences, TERMS CAN BE ARRANGED One Sold—Two Left 3408 Quebec Officer leaving city must dispose of home immediately. detached 7 rooms and bath. Don't Fail 3035 Rodman Street N.W.—Only $9,000 A Ideal detached BUNGA- LOW of 6 rooms, large lot and garage. One block from Connecticut avenue. All modern. Attractive Terms Street N.W. 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