Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 13, 1920 — page 37: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE CIRCLE OF FATE. then opened them with a slow, steady stare at her, and she flushed and shrank back— “but you knew the tricks, little fox. You kept me at arm’s length. Only there was Adolphe in the way. He wanted you, too, but not so much as [. I had to silence him—he knew—a word from him to the pre- fecture—but you shall learn of that later. You trust me. Then you said I must marry you. I shall do that now. All that is past is past. My—traditions—family, bah! You told me with your cunning eyes, with the whisperings of your clever brain—you told me without words what I must do. I have done it. A quiver and I was free. It was his life or mine. Now we shall pack up, and after the funeral—:x must attend that or they might suspect—we shall sail to South America—to Brazil—I have it all planned out.” 3 He advanced upon her, arms outstretched, the perspiration shining on his naked shoul- ders and arms from the vehemence of his speech. “Now, for the first time you shall know how I make love, my pretty one.” She raised her head and met his eyes with a look so terrible that he hesitated and faltered on his feet. 3 ‘What is it? What have I said?” “For the first time,” she said slowly. “ That is not true. We have met before.” He stood bewildered. “What do you mean?” U U D15 “Think of a night in Laon.”’ ‘A night in Laon?” he echoed dully. “Yes. This is our second meeting: You were drunk and mad with lust. You do not remember me, Herr Captain, but I re- membered your face and his? He was there laughing—his strong arms about my poor sister.”’ He shook his head. “Laon!” he muttered. ‘‘ There were so many—’”’ He shuddered all at once, as re- turning memory showed its image on his face racked with recollection. Suddenly, still regarding him with a look of hatred and contempt, she threw up her hands, and ripped open the front of her high-necked dress. “You said,” she told him in a strangely, even tone, “that I was now government property and that I must be branded with the mark—the mark of the beast. But I am content now, sale boche, I am content. The cross you bear is heavier than mine.’’ And drawing the torn cloth over her bosom, its whiteness marred by the disfig- urement left by a red-hot iron cross, she walked slowly past him as he stood trans- fixed with horror, and out of the door. The evening papers of next day had a second sensation on top of the circus trag- edy. M. Adrian Grunau, unable to support the loss of the brother to whom he was notably so devoted, had blown out his brains. U U THEIR OCCUPATIONS HLDEGARDE and Christopher walked out to see a view; Frances and the Leonard youth are trying the canoe: Elizabeth and Solomon are resting in the shade; Walter’s showing Susan how auction-bridge is played. Angelina’s gone to make arrangements for the fair— The odds are seventeen to one that Walter will be there. Richard and Carlotta went down to get the mail: Dorothy and Reuben are out to take a sail. David’s in the parlor with Charlotte and a book; Florence, in the kitchen, is teaching Ben to cook. Paul is helping Ada to find that missing glove— Of course, they’re doing everything but simply “ making love ”’! Tudor Jenks, Eomichbook €O