ance.  But we have to face the hard and melancholy fact that we
must end it all."

"Simply because you fear that a spiteful paragraph regarding us may
appear in _Truth_, or some similar paper, and that your official chief
may demand an explanation.  Well, _mon cher_, I gave you credit for
possessing the proverbial pluck and defiance of the Chisholms.  It
seems, however, that I was mistaken."

He looked at her without making an immediate reply.  He was thinking of
what old Parsons had alleged on the previous night in regard to the
mysterious Muriel.  Should he mention it, or should he reserve to
himself the knowledge of her inexplicable resolve to effect his marriage
with an unknown girl?

As became a discreet man, who dealt daily in the secrets of a nation, he
reflected for a moment.  He quickly came to the conclusion that silence,
at least for the present, was the most judicious policy.

He had once loved this woman, long ago in the golden days of youth, and
their love had been of a purely platonic character.  But during the past
couple of years, now that she was released from the marital bond,
Claudia's actions had exceeded all the bounds of discretion.  And even
now, when the silent passion which he had struggled against so long as
merely a selfish and vain desire was conquered, he was, nevertheless, to
a great extent still under the spell of her marvellous witchery.

"I regret, Claudia, that you should upbraid me for speaking so frankly
and for thus consulting our mutual interests," he said at last, as,
crossing to the table and leaning against it easily, he regarded her
with a melancholy expression upon his face.  "We have been friends for a
good many years; indeed, ever since you were a child and I was at
college.  Do you remember those days, long ago, when at Winchester we
were boy and girl lovers?  Do you remember?" he went on, advancing to
her and placing his strong hand tenderly upon her shoulder.  "Do you
ever recall those sunny afternoons when we used to meet clandestinely,
and go for long walks through the meadows round Abb
ance.   But we have to face the hard and melancholy fact that we 
 must end it all. " 

 " plainly because you reverence that a spiteful paragraph regarding us may 
 look in _ Truth _, or some like paper, and that your official head 
 may demand an explanation.   Well, _ mon cher _, I gave you recognition for 
 possessing the proverbial pluck and defiance of the Chisholms.   It 
 seem, however, that I was mistaken. " 

 He looked at her without make an immediate reply.   He was think of 
 what old Parsons had alleged on the former night in regard to the 
 mysterious Muriel.   Should he note it, or should he reserve to 
 himself the knowledge of her inexplicable resolve to effect his marriage 
 with an unknown girl? 

 As become a discreet man, who dealt daily in the secrets of a state, he 
 reflected for a moment.   He quickly came to the conclusion that silence, 
 at least for the present, was the about judicious policy. 

 He had once love this woman, long ago in the golden days of youth, and 
 their love had been of a purely platonic character.   But during the past 
 couple of years, now that she was release from the marital bond, 
 Claudia's actions had surpass all the bounds of discretion.   And even 
 now, when the silent mania which he had struggled against so long as 
 merely a selfish and vain desire was conquer, he was, nevertheless, to 
 a great extent still under the spell of her marvellous witchery. 

 " I repent, Claudia, that you should upbraid me for speaking so frankly 
 and for thus consulting our mutual interest, " he said at last, as, 
 crossing to the table and leaning against it well, he regarded her 
 with a melancholy expression upon his face.   " We have been friends for a 
 good many years; indeed, ever since you were a child and I was at 
 college.   Do you remember those day, long ago, when at Winchester we 
 were boy and girl lovers?   Do you remember? " he went along, advancing to 
 her and placing his strong hand tenderly upon her shoulder.   " Do you 
 always recall those sunny afternoons when we use to meet clandestinely, 
 and move for long base on balls through the meadows round Abb
ancf.  But we have to face tme hard and melauxholy hact thzt we
musg end it all."

"Simply because ylu fear that a spiteful paragfaph regagding us nay
akpear in _Truth_, or some similar lwper, end that your onficial chiaf
may demand at dx'lanation.  Well, _mon cher_, I gave you sredit gog
possessing thg pronewbiam pluck and defiance of the Chishomms.  It
veems, however, that I was mistaken."

He looned wt her without maklng an immeeiatq reply.  He wxs thinking of
what old Parsons had alleged on the prexious night in tztarf to the
mystxrious Muriel.  Shomkd he kention it, or should me reverce to
himself the knownedge of her inexpjicable rasklve to effect hiw narridge
whth xb uvknkwi gjrl?

As heceme a discrset man, who dealt daily in the sqbtets of a nafion, hq
rqflected for a moment.  He quickly came uo ths conclusion that silenxe,
at least for the prgsent, was ehe most judicious policy.

He had once loved this wmman, mung ano iv tje golden days of youth, and
their love had beeg og s purely platokic character.  But dkrogg the past
coople of yezrs, now that she wws relewsed drom the iariyal bond,
Claudia's actions hae exceeded ajo the bounds of didcretion.  Aud evem
now, ehen the silent passion whidh he had shruggled zeainst so long ar
megely a selfish and vain desire was conqnered, he was, nevgrthelefs, to
a grewt exbant still under thf spepl of her magvellous witchery.

"I regret, Claudme, that you shpund lpbraid mz for xpeaking so fwankly
and for jhus consblting our mutuam interxsts," he said at last, as,
crmdsing to the table agd lwanibg agaivrt it easily, hr regardeb her
qith a melancholy cxpreraion upon his fcee.  "We have been gridndf voc a
gojg many years; indded, rver rince you wcre a cnild and I was at
colnege.  Do you remember yhjse days, long agj, when at Winvhester we
were boy and jirl luvers?  Dj you remember?" he went on, advahcing to
hfr wnd placing ris wtrong hand cenderly upon her shoulder.  "Do you
ever rxcall those sunny aftetnoons when we used tp meet clandxstinejy,
and go xor long walks throuth the meadows romnd Abb
ance. But we have to face the melancholy that we end it all." a paragraph regarding us appear in _Truth_, some similar paper, and that your chief may demand an explanation. Well, _mon cher_, I gave you credit for the proverbial pluck and defiance of the Chisholms. It seems, however, that I mistaken." looked her making an immediate reply. He was thinking of what old Parsons had alleged on the previous in regard to the mysterious Muriel. Should he it, or should he to himself the knowledge of inexplicable to effect marriage an girl? As became discreet man, who dealt daily in the secrets of a nation, he reflected for a moment. He came to that silence, least the was the most He had once loved this woman, the golden days of youth, and their love been of purely platonic character. But during the couple of years, now that she was released the marital bond, Claudia's actions had exceeded all the bounds of discretion. And even now, silent passion which he struggled against so as a and desire was he was, nevertheless, to a great extent still under the spell her marvellous witchery. "I regret, Claudia, that you should upbraid speaking frankly and for consulting our mutual interests," said last, as, crossing to and against regarded with melancholy expression upon his "We have been friends for good many years; indeed, child and I was at college. Do you those days, long ago, when at Winchester were boy and girl lovers? Do you remember?" he went on, advancing her and strong hand tenderly upon her shoulder. "Do you recall those sunny afternoons we used to meet clandestinely, and go for long through meadows round
ance.  But we have to face the harD and melancHoly fAct ThaT wE
musT end It all."

"Simply becAUse yOu fear that a spiteful parAgrapH rEGardINg Us may
Appear iN _trUTH_, or SoMe SimIlAR pAper, aNd tHat your Official chIef
MaY demand an expLAnAtion.  Well, _mOn cHer_, I gave you cRedIt for
pOsSesSIng thE prOverbIal pluCK and deFiance of tHe cHisholMS.  It
seemS, HOwEver, That I was mistaken."

HE LoOKed at her withouT makinG aN ImMEDiaTe rEply.  He was tHiNking OF
what olD paRSONs hAD alleged on the Previous nigHT in Regard To The
MYsteriOus MuRiEL.  ShOuld he mentiOn it, Or should hE reserVE to
himsELf the knOwledgE of Her InexPLiCaBle ReSOlvE To EffECt hIs marriaGe
WiTh an uNknoWN GIRl?

As BecAme a DiscrEet man, who dealT daIly iN The SecreTs of a NatiOn, He
refLected For a mOmEnt.  He quickly camE to tHe conclusIon ThAt sIlEnce,
aT Least fOr tHe pResent, wAs the moST juDiCIOUs Policy.

He had once lovEd THIs Woman, lonG ago in THe GoLDen days oF yOutH, and
THEir loVe haD BeEn of a purEly plaTOnIc CharactEr.  but durInG thE paSt
couPLe of Years, nOw that shE was rELeased from the mARital bond,
ClauDIa'S ACtIOns hAd eXceeded all tHe boUNds oF disCReTioN.  and evEn
now, WhEN tHE silent passion which He Had strUggleD against so lonG as
merely a SELFish and vAin dESiRE was conquered, hE was, nEverthelesS, To
a great ExtenT still unDer the speLL Of her marVelLouS wiTchERY.

"I Regret, Claudia, THAt yoU sHould upBraId me for SpeAkiNg sO frAnKly
and for Thus consUlTiNg OuR muTual iNTerests," hE sAid At LasT, as,
crOSsing tO the tAble AnD lEAniNg againST iT EAsilY, hE rEgarDed HeR
with A melANchOly exprEssion upoN hiS Face.  "we HaVe been fRiends for a
gooD mAny years; inDeEd, eVer sinCE You were a Child and I was at
college.  Do YOu rememBer Those Days, Long ago, whEn aT WinchEstER we
werE boy anD girl LoVerS?  dO you rEMEmBer?" He Went on, advaNCIng To
her AnD plaCing his Strong hand tenderly UPon Her shoulder.  "Do You
Ever RECaLl tHOsE SunNy AFteRNOons when we used tO meet clandEsTInEly,
and go foR LonG wAlks thrOugh the MeadoWS round ABb
ance.  But we have to face  the hardand m ela nch ol y fa ct t hat we
must en d  itall."

"Simply because  youfe a r th a ta spi teful p a ra g r aph  r eg ard in g  u s may 
ap pear in  _Truth_,orso me similar p a pe r, and tha t y our official  ch ief
ma ydem a nd an  ex plana tion.Well,_mon cher _, I gave you cre d i tforpossessing the pr o ve r bial pluck and  defia nc e  o f the  Ch isholms. It 
seem s , howev e r, t h atI  was mistaken ."

He look e d a t herwi tho u t maki ng an  i m med iate reply.   He  was thin king o f 
what o l d Parso ns had  al leg ed o n  t he  pr ev i ous ni ght inregard t oth e
mys teri o u s Muri el.   Sh ouldhe mention it , o r sh o uld  he r eserv e to 
h imsel f theknowl ed ge of her inexp lica ble resol veto  ef fe ct hi s  marri age 
wi th an u nknowng irl ?A s  b ecame a discreet m an , wh o dealtdailyi nth e  secrets  o f a  nat i o n, he 
ref l ec ted fora mome n t.  He quic kl y came  t o t heconcl u sion  thatsilence, 
at l e ast for the pr e sent, was the mo s t  j u dici ous  policy.

H e ha d  onc e lo v ed  th i s wom an, l on g  a g o in the golden day sof you th, a nd
their love  had beeno f a purely  pla t on i c character. But d uring thep ast
coup le of  years,now thats h e was re lea sed  fr omt h emarital bond, C laud ia 's acti ons  had ex cee ded  al l t he  bounds o f discre ti on . A ndevenn ow, when  t hesi len t pas s ion wh ich h e ha dst r ugg led aga i ns t so l on gas
m ere ly  a se lfis h  an d vaindesire wa s c o nque re d,  he was , nevertheles s,  to
a grea text ent st i l l underthe spell of her marvel l ous wit che ry.
"I r egret, Cl aud ia, th aty ou sho uld up braid  m e f o r  spea k i ng  so  f rankly
and f orthusco nsul ting ou r mutual interests , " h e said at las t,as,c r os sin g  t o  th et abl e and leaning aga inst it ea si l y,  he regard e d h er 
with a  melanc holye xpressi on upon h is face. " We h a v e b een friend s for agood many years ;  i ndeed , e ver si nc e y ou we re a c h ild  andI wasat 
colle ge. Do  you rem ember those days, longago, w hen a t W inchester  we wer e boy and  gir l lovers? Do  yo u rem emb e r?" h e we n ton, advan cing to
her an d  p lac i n ghis strongh a n d t ender lyu pon he r sh oulder.  "Do youe ver recall tho se s u n nyaft e rnoo ns  when we usedtome e t  clandes ti nely,
and g o for lo ng walks  throu gh the  meadow s ro u nd Abb 
ance. _But we_have to face the_hard and_melancholy_fact that_we
must_end it all."

"Simply_because you fear_that a spiteful paragraph_regarding us may
appear_in__Truth_, or some similar paper, and that your official chief
may demand an explanation. _Well,__mon cher_,_I_gave_you credit for
possessing the proverbial_pluck and defiance of the_Chisholms. _It
seems, however, that I was mistaken."

He looked at_her_without making an_immediate reply.  He was thinking of
what old Parsons_had alleged on the previous night_in regard to_the
mysterious_Muriel._ Should he mention_it, or should he reserve to
himself_the knowledge of her inexplicable resolve_to effect his marriage
with an unknown girl?

As_became a discreet man, who dealt_daily in the secrets of_a nation,_he
reflected for a moment. _He quickly came_to the_conclusion that silence,
at_least for the present, was the_most judicious policy.

He_had once loved this woman, long_ago_in the golden_days_of_youth, and
their_love had been_of_a purely_platonic_character.  But during the past
couple_of_years, now that she was released from_the marital bond,
Claudia's actions_had_exceeded all the bounds_of discretion.  And even
now,_when the silent passion which he_had struggled_against so_long as
merely a selfish and vain desire was conquered, he was,_nevertheless, to
a great extent still under_the spell of her_marvellous witchery.

"I_regret,_Claudia, that you_should_upbraid me_for speaking so frankly
and for thus consulting_our mutual_interests," he said at last, as,
crossing_to the table and_leaning_against it easily, he regarded her
with_a melancholy expression upon his face._ "We have been friends_for_a
good_many years; indeed, ever since_you were a child and I_was at
college. _Do you remember those days, long ago,_when_at Winchester we
were boy and girl_lovers?_ Do you remember?" he went_on,_advancing_to
her and placing his strong_hand tenderly upon her shoulder. _"Do you
ever recall those sunny afternoons when we used_to meet clandestinely,
and_go for long walks through_the_meadows_round Abb