THE GAY BARTENDER

Chapter Ninety Nine

to be done but accede to her wishes.She walked,falter-gly,but without any assistance except mine, to the stairs. we started up, I had only time to assure Walter that I uld let him know next morning how Evelyn was, if he red to come by.

My maid was waiting when we reached our rooms.Eve-rejected her attentions, which were given grudgingly ough; she seemed to shrink from any company but mine, t still refused to tell me what was wrong. Át her request, I missed Travers, telling her to go to bed.

“I believe I will send Travers home,”I said, seeking to ike a casual note, since Evelyn would not talk of the mat-uppermost in both our minds. “She hates everything e country, the Egyptians, the boat_”

“And me,” said Evelyn, with a faint smile.

“She doesn't think highly of me, either,” I said, pleased to e Evelyn regaining her spirits. “We can manage without r quite nicely. I shall make arrangements tomorrow. Eve-n, won't you tell me now-”

“Later,” Evelyn said. “I will explain later, Amelia,when I ave....Won't you return to the saloon? You were having uch a nice talk with Mr. Emerson. I am sure he isstill here.You might reassure him and his.... You might reas-ure them, and make my apologies. I am well;I only need rest. I will go straight to bed. I really am quite well.”

This speech, delivered in a rapid monotone, was quite unlike the girl I had come to know. I looked at her search-ingly; she refused to meet my eyes. I started to speak, fully prepared to break down a reticence which now alarmed me; then came a loud knock at the door of the sitting room.

Evelyn started convulsively. A renewed pallor spread over her face.I stared at her,too bewildered to speak.Who could this visitor be,who knocked so peremptorily? And at such a hour! It was not too late for evening social activities,but was certainly too late for anyone to be coming to our 100s.I could not believe tat Walter's anxiety would drive bin to such a step.Moreover,it was clear from Evelyn'sdemeanor that she suspected who the visitor might be, f that her suspicion caused her dcep dread.

Her eyes met mine. Her shoulders straightened,andw set her lips in a firm line before she opened them to spe “Open the door, Amelia, if you wilIl be so good. I am being a miserable coward. I must face this.”

I suppose her speech conveyed a clue to my mind.Ie member I felt no surprise when I opened the door and he man who stood there. I had never seen him before,bu is swarthy complexion, his sleek black hair, his bold gooo ooks confirmed the suspicion Evelyn's manner had aroused “Ah,” I said. “Signor Alberto, I presume.”

Aok, as well as his manner, verged on insolence; and as his ALBERTO placed one hand on his heart and bowed. His gyes moved from my face toward the inner doorway where Evelyn stood,pale and still as a statue, it was all I could do

not to slap him.

"You invite me in?” he asked, looking at me. “I think you

prefer I would not speak of matters close to our hearts except

in the privacy.”

I stepped back; silently I motioned him in; gently I closed

the door behind him. I wanted to slam it. Alberto rushed

toward Evelyn.

“Ah, my lost darling, my heart's beloved! How can you desert me? How can you leave me with agony for your fate?”

Evelyn raised her hand. Alberto stopped, a few feet away from her. I really believe the rascal would have taken her into his arms if she had not moved. Now he c****d his head on one side and said, in tones of deep reproach, “You push me! You crush me! Ah, I understand. You have found a rich protectress. She gave you gifts and you abandon the poo lover who give only love.”

My parasol was standing in the corner. I went and got it. Evelyn was silent throughout; I think she was too thunderand jabbad him in the waistcoat with my parasol.He Jumped

back.

id not ahandon you, although she would have been wisel

do so. How dare you come hcre after writing that abominabie

message to her, after taking all her possessions-”

"Mcssage?" Alberto rolled his eyes.“I leave no message. Going out,to seek employment,so l buy food for my be loved,I was strike by a horse while I cross the street. Weeks I lie in the terrible hospital, in delirious, crying out for my Evelyn.When I recover, I stagger to the room which was my paradise.But she is gone! My angel has flown away. I leave no message! If there is message my enemy must leave it. I have many enemy. Many who hate me, who try to steal my happiness, who envy me my angel.”

He looked meaningfully at me.

I have rarely seen such an unconvincing dramatic perfor-

mance.Yet I was not sure it might not convince Evelyn; love

has a most unfortunate effect on the brain, and I feared some

lingering fondness for the rascal might still move her.

I need not have feared.Evelyn's color had returned; in-deed,ber cheeks were flushed becomingly with an emotion that I recognized to be anger.

How dare you?" she said in a low voice. “Have you nol

nol worthy to occupy the same room withher.Begone, and

never trouble my sight again!”

He was counterfeil-

Alberto staggered back a few paces. umbrella,

the

which I had against his stomnach,ferrule of assisted his

ing shock and anguish,butthe mighthave

retreat.

“You cannot speak with true meaning.You are sick. No -you do not understand, I come to marryyou.I offer youhand

man maty you now, not when he know_”

He was an agile fellow; he jumped nimbly back as I tried to bringtheparasol down on his head, and when I raised it or a second attempt, Evelyn caught at my arm.

"pray don't break a good parasol,” she said, with a curl-ing lip. “He is not worth it.”

But he is trying to blackmail you,” I said, panting with rage. “He isthreatening you with exposure unless you agree-”

"He may publish my infamy to the world,” Evelyn said coldly. “Believe me, Amelia, he has no more power over me. If any lingering trace of fondness had remained, this would have ended it.”

Smoothing down his hair, which had been disarranged by his rapid movement, Alberto stared at us in affected horror.

“Blackmail? Threat? Dio mio, how you do not understand me?I would not-”

“You had better not,” I interrupted. “The first sign of trou-ble from you, you rascal, and I'll have you put in prison. Egyptian prisons are vastly uncomfortable, I am told, and I have a good deal more influence with the present govern-ment than you do.”

Alberto drew himself up.

“Now you threaten me,” he said with satisfaction.“No need for threat. If the lady do not want me, I go. I come only for honor. I see now. I understand. There is another! It is true, no? Who is he,this villain who steal my darling's heart?”

Evelyn, who had born up magnificently, now showed signs of breaking-which was no wonder.

“I can't stand any more of this,” she whispered. “Amelia, can we not make him go away? Can we call for help?”

“Certainly,” I said.

I passed Alberto--who drew back nervously-and threw open the door. There is usually a foor attendant on duty,and I meant to summon him. But there was no need.Sitting on floor,across the hall from our door,was our dragoman, Michael. I did not stop to ask why he was there. He leaped to his feet when he saw me, and I beckoned him in.

“Take this man by the collar and throw him out,"I said, gesturing at Alberto.

Michael looked surprised, but he did not hesitate.As he reached out for Alberto, the latter stepped back.

“No need, I go, I go,” he exclaimed. “I leave Egypt.My heart is broke, my life is-”

“Never mind that,” I said. “One question before you go. How did you find us here, and how did you get the money to follow us?”

“But I go to the British consul at Rome, what else? I work way on boat-I am seasick, I am cold, but I work to follow my heart's-”

“Enough of that. Go, now, or Michael will-”

“I go.” Albérto drew himself up. He rolled his eyes one last time at Evelyn;then Michael took a step forward, and Alberto bolted out the door with more speed than dignity.

“I follow, to be sure he is gone,” said Michael.

“Thank you,”Evelyn said gratefully.“Your litie girl, Mi-chael-how is she? Did you want us to come to her again?”

"No,"Michael said.“No,lady.I come to tell you she is better.She wakes up, she asks for food.I come to thank you; to tell you when you want anything from Michael,you ask,even if it is his life. Now I will follow the evil man.”

With a gesture that oddly combined humility and dignity, he departed; and as the door closed,Evelyn broke into a storm of weeping.

The storm was soon over. While I rushed around search-ing for smelling salts and handkerchiefs,Evelynrecovered berself and insisted that I sit down.She relievedme of my parasol, which I was still holding.

“You are more upset than you will admit,” she said. “Let me order you a glass of wine.”

"No,there is no need. But perhaps you~”

"No."Evelyn sat down and looked at me steadily."My