Perhaps objected censors Smart Set that Miss St Clair's frankness and honesty were trifle old-fashioned, she was shadowy bit of Puritan; and perhaps same qualities that Samuel Walcott received his hurt At any rate the hurt was there and deep, new actor stepped up old time-worn, semi-tragic drama, and began his role with tireless, utter sincerity that was deadly dangerous if

II

Perhaps week conversation between St Clair and Walcott, Randolph Mason stood private waiting-room club hands behind his back

man apparently middle forties; tall and reasonably broad across the shoulders; muscular without being either stout or lean His hair was thin and of brown color, with erratic streaks of gray His forehead was broad and high and of faint reddish color His eyes were restless inky black, and not over-large The nose was big and muscular and bowed The eyebrows were black and heavy, almost bushy There were heavy furrows, running nose downward and outward corners mouth The mouth was straight jaw was heavy, and square

Looking face of Randolph Mason from above, the expression in repose was crafty and cynical; viewed from below upward, savage and vindictive, almost brutal; while front, if looked squarely face, the stranger was fascinated animation man and at once concluded that his expression was fearless and sneering evidently of Southern extraction and man of unusual power

fire smoldered hearth crisp evening early fall, and far-off touch of melancholy which ever heralds the coming winter, even midst of city The man's face looked tired and ugly His long white hands were clasped tight together His entire figure and face wore every mark of weakness and physical exhaustion; but his eyes contradicted They were red and restless

private dining-room the dinner party was best of spirits Samuel Walcott was happy Across the table was Miss Virginia St Clair, radiant, tinge of color in her cheeks On either side, Mrs Miriam Steuvisant and Marshall St Clair were brilliant and lighthearted Walcott looked young girl measure worship was full He wondered thousandth time how possibly love him and by what earthly miracle she had come to accept him, and how it always her across the table , his own table own house

They were about to rise table when waiters entered the room and handed Walcott an envelope He thrust it quickly into his pocket confusion of rising the others notice him, but his face was ash white hands trembled violently as he placed the wraps around the bewitching shoulders of Miss St Clair

"Marshall," , and despite the powerful effort his voice was hollow, " the ladies safely cared for, called to attend grave matter "

"All right, Walcott," answered the young man, with cheery good nature, " too serious, old man, trot along "

"The poor dear," murmured Mrs Steuvisant, after Walcott had helped them carriage and turned up the steps club,-- "The poor dear is hard hit, and men are such funny creatures are hard hit "

Samuel Walcott, as his fate would, went direct private writing-room and opened the door The lights turned on and dark Mason motionless mantel- shelf He went quickly across the room writing-table, turned on lights, and, taking the envelope pocket, tore it open Then he bent down light to read the contents As his eyes ran over the paper, his jaw fell The skin drew away cheekbones face seemed literally to sink in His knees gave way under him and gone down in heap had it not been for Mason's long arms that closed around him and held him up The human economy is ever mysterious The moment the new danger threatened, the latent power man as an animal, hidden away centers of intelligence, asserted itself His hand clutched the paper and, with half slide, he turned in Mason's arms For moment he stared up ugly man whose thin arms felt like wire ropes

" under the dead-fall, aye," said Mason "The cunning enemy is sublime "

"Your enemy ? " gasped Walcott "When did you come ? How in God's name did it ? How your enemy ? "

Mason looked down wide bulging eyes man

" know better than I ? " "Haven't I broken through all the traps and plots that set ? "

"She ? She trap you ? " The man's voice was full of horror

"The old schemer," muttered Mason "The cowardly old schemer, to strike back; but beat her She count on my helping you--I, her "

Mason's face was red, eyes burned midst of it all he dropped his hands and went over fire Samuel Walcott arose, panting, and stood looking at Mason, hands behind him table The naturally strong nature rigid school man trained presently began His composure returned and he thought rapidly What did this strange man know ? Was he simply making shrewd guesses, or had he some mysterious knowledge of ? Walcott know that Mason meant only Fate, that he believed her his great enemy Walcott had never before doubted his own ability to meet any emergency This mighty jerk had carried him off his feet unstrung and panic-stricken At any rate this man had promised help take it He put the paper and envelope carefully into his pocket, smoothed out his rumpled coat, and going over to Mason touched him shoulder

"Come," , " to help me go "

The man turned and followed him without word hall Mason put hat and overcoat, two went out street Walcott hailed cab, two were driven house avenue Walcott took out his latchkey, opened the door, and led the way library He turned light and motioned Mason to seat himself table Then he went into another room and presently returned with bundle of papers and decanter of brandy He poured out glass liquor and offered it to Mason The man shook his head Walcott poured the contents glass down his own throat Then he set the decanter down and drew up chair side table opposite Mason

"Sir," said Walcott, in voice deliberate, indeed, but as hollow as sepulcher, " done for God has finally gathered up the ends net, and knotted tight "

"Am I not here to ? " said Mason, turning savagely " beat Fate the details of her trap "