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LUCILLE LOVE. The Girl of Mustau B y the “ MASTE'R TEJV” Copyright, 1914. All moving picture rights reserved by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company, who are now exhibiting this production in leading theaters. Infringement! will be vigorously prosecuted. CHAPTER XXXXXIIL Defeat In the Hour of Victory HUE ia the cutter, Lucille, for the first time heaved a huge sigh of relief as she glanced bank toward | the shore and saw Hugo Loubeque I jump from the ear in which he had la-e.ii pursuing her and glance hur, riedly up and down the, harbor front. She glanced approvingly now at the broad shoulder* of the sailors, revelled in the long swing of the tar* that took her out of the Npj* r**n< A| - pra.vn her hand* pressed against. the at Her heart They "ere in her possession now, they wire hers, and the honor of the ones she •rid most dear was in her keeping, never to be lost again. Hho clambered over the rides of the waiting government vessel, being met at the deck by she Captain himself. His rye-brown rose in surprise is hr regarded the slender slip of a girl facing tint, her eyes wet with tears. "Knsign Howell informed roe that Mr. i/oo trqne " lm began when she interrupted. “The paper* are here, Captain. 1 bare them, i Htey are safe now.’’ Kor a moment he studied her meditatively. Ihe felt an ley chill running up and down he.r ipuir. Would he see the frantic man tt|Hin the i shore? Would he hesitate? Would he not be- Jeve her when she told him the truth regarding t the documents? Would he turn hack and foroe L jsr to return the (aqs-rs? At the very suggm- Uon her face flexed in every muscle while her n«i met his coldly and steadily, a purpoae in : their depths which even the officer turned away horn, convinced that all wa well. And now tlial she was safe, the nervous reac “ don came upon her. In her ov.n liny cabin, safe Inallv from the man »he had la seen u|s>n the dmre it seemed ttie very air was fraught with (errors, horrible fears reaching toward her, gib bering at her with threats of perils greater even than those she had come through already. A ■ fight tapping on the door brought her to her hs-t. heartily ashamed of the false terrors she tad allowed to unnerve her. Hhe opened the door tnd Knsign Howell entered, Lucille regarded him coldly, In far different (isnner from the coquettish young woman who bed put hint off at the house of I.oubsque. HU Ives were frowning, at first, then under the «I |uUite beauty of her, they melted and he took sn involuntary step forward. "Miss Miss ” he stammered, “why did yon lend me away from the appointment? The ( are bain wishes to speak with you and when you tell bini tike truth, It will appear as though I—" "Yovi need have no fear/’ she answered quiet ly, Ignoring ihe expression of the mnn which kild her that even his dread of a reprimand fismi his superior was of far less consequence than her o|iinlon of him. "Will you kindly con |uot me to t.h» Captain. I will explain every Mtag." The Captain of the Terror regarded her itesnTily as she was brought Is*forr him. Heated st his desk, in the very throne of his authority, ■■power that ruled the depths of the ocean, with lae young Knsign at his side, heels together, toes "»nd chest out In rigid, stern attention, T.ne.Ule belt him a very much more formidable being than when she met him on the deck. Thts man arm, her enemy, would be her enemy until the sure lion of possession of the (tapers had iree.lt Qvuni igtily threshed out. “Your luuua, itleasc?” queried the enmmander ; itortiy. Lucille feH a thrill of pride running through ker, taking jtossession of every particle of spane within her slender body. Her name that Was the beginning ami end of it all, the weeks of peril, privation, hardship, danger. Her name • the name of Love, the name that this man and the great government which ruled the flag under which this boat of the seas sailed, had and was endeavoring to traduce. “M,v name, air,” she said quite simply, yet Ea tremolo of pride iministuknhla, "la Lucille —daughter of General Sumpter Love, United sa Army," "Impossible I" Am though the two voices had been one, the Oaptain and his junior hurst forth in the ex bln million Lucille merely smiled its she saw the wondering incredulity upon (heir fuces change Id one of understanding thru of reaolve for war lore. The commander held out his hand. “1 am in receipt of orders from Washing ton." h»* Biki quietly, “to mrrt Hugo Loubequ*, •rim would turn over to m* certain j I*l*4* and onkrt which hr received from WaAhiugton whll* In command at Manila, and which he wold "It** u lie V* Lucille** voice had no irtuuolo now, Instead it ranff ag’uinrt the side* of the inhin with a vibrant force that made the two htan start violently. “Yea. a lie," she repeated, quirting Ihe fury adlloh was racking her. “My fattier did re>“-ive the paper*. There was n military hall in progress at the time, lie gave them to hta aide, l.ieuten out Gfbaon, my flannee, to |>nt In the safe. 11i.it Bight they were stolen by tt servant. In the am pt',y of Ibigv* Loubeque; stolen, 1 tell you. But Tlie Commander nodded ooMly. “Your contention is a matter for the CVairt Of Inquiry to thresh out. 1 atn under outers to Nradvc the pocket of paprrs and take them to net court, together with the affidavit of Hugo toabeque that they were sold to him. If they orv In your possession, 1 will take them; If not, 1 aboil be forced to turn bark and 11ml Mr. Lou baijns " “The pajiem are lit my possession, air. They belong to me until 1 ran turn there over to my father, to whom they were sent. What he will do with thorn is a matte* for the fosirt of In quiry to decide." “That is quite Impossible," the man snajiped ■harp l ,' "In the firs* place, yvnir story la quits Incrvihlile -I.ucille Love was drowned when the Btnprrs- took fire,” “Lucille Love Is here, sir. Lucille love was •board the Empress, flew tliere with Mr. llarlry, the government aviator, because she knew from • message she cut iu on upon the telephone that Hugo Loubeque was aboard the Km pres* ami that hr havi the |>apers. Kvcr since, tlimugh r ingle, desert, lund and miter, 1 have followed tin. 1 have seen the spy’s diary, it is here with khe papers always. That will show his hatred for m.v father That will explain. That will prove ray story." Kven as the Captain nodded, rising to hi* foet to eagerly watch the girl's frantic search through the packet, ail u-qutver himself to have her prove her case so unmistakably, n little, dry Sob broke from her lips As the Illy droops upon Its stent, so did the slender figure of the girl •lowly- sink- sink- sink - She recovered herself wiih an effort, shaking her head a* though to drive away the mists of -faintnews which tills the crowning misfortune, had delivered her. The diary of Hugo Loubequo was not among the papers she had recovered. The Captain nodded toward his Ensign, who, with a glance, of sympathy toward the stricken girl, scooped up the papers and laid them before hi* commanding officer. Lucille turned and slowly left the room. Her eves were fastened directly ahead but she walked a- one who journeys in slumber, unseeing, be numbed. And her lips repeated over and over again: “Too cruel! Cruel! Cruel!" CHAPTER XX XXXIV. Exit Hugo houbeifue. OEROEANT DALY, plain clothes man of the San Francisco police department, showed scarcely a sign of Interest ns he was assigned to the mys terious case at the Ht. Francis. The meagre de tails trickled through his ears and were lost forever. That was a part of the raethpd which hail made him the greatest sleuth of the depart ment he always found out for himself and never trusted to advance information. Hwiftly he took In the salient details of the house detective, the discovery of a man’s dead body in the suite of a young woman who had registered there under the name of Lucille Love. Then he went immediately to the room and ex amined the corpse. Thompson hail not been touched. He lay as he had been when Hugo Loubeque looked book at him, from the doorway, his Isidy twisted a bit from the struggle with the spy, his right hand tightly clenching the revolver in his mouth. Daly bent, over him, uttering a little ejaculation of surprise which whetted the curiosity of the man ager instantly. After a long interval he rose to his feet, holding a soiled linen label in his hand. “Frank Thompson," he smiled quietly. “Here is the name of the tailor who miulo the suit hs wears. I wondar how he ever came to go to Manila.” "Manila?” Frankly curious was the manager. “Ye* Manila. No wonder that crook hasn’t been active in the Htates for the last, couple of years. Wonder wliatever pulled Chicago Tom that far away from Ktate Htreat.” "Then he was a crook?” “It’s my turn to ask questions,’’ the Sergeant Interrupted sharply. “You say this suite was assigned to Lucills love “A young woman who was arrested yester day, Sergeant, when she was caught on the firs esca|M* outside Mr. Loubeque's suite. She cams here with Mr. I-oiibeque and he registered her. Her first night here she created a sensation by paying one of the cabaret to allow her to dancs in her place. Yesterday a call came to the of fice from Lotiheqtta's suite that a hotel sneak thief was In his apartment. When the detectives arrived the place was vacant but the young woman was caught on the fire escape and ar rested, paroled In the custody of Mr. Roller, the big jeweler. It is a case of suicide, Sergeant?" Daly shook his head. “Suicide I I should rather guess not. Look at the man's gums. The gun was forced into hi* mouth and the gums badly bruised in the doing of it. Where can I find this Lnollle Love or Lou bequn?" before the manager oould answer the tele phone liell tinkled. He turned to the detective excitedly, his hand pressed over the 'phone mouthpiece. "A Lieutenant Gibson calling on Miss Lova*" he explained. "Tell him to watt." Richard Oibsou wa* ltt.tle inclined for cross examination when first t.he two men approached him. Shamed of his unreasoning Jealousy of the girl he loved, aghast at his conduct in turning sway from the woman who had left him so un ceremoniously In order to prove his lnnocenoe of stealing the papers from General ljove’s safe, he lmd fought the battle out with himself, com ing to the conclusion that there must be a rea sonable explanation for her conduot. Sergeant Daly regarded him steadily a moment, then told him the reason for his wishing to know every thing Gibson whirled upon the manager, his tuce livid with rage, fists clenched. “And yon had her arrested- -you had her- Daly lielil the arm that was about to strike, soothing him with quieting words. “Evidently he can tell us nothing," Daly mut tered to the manager. “Ho didn’t even know about the arrest and bailment until I told him." Gibson flung upon his heel and ieft the ho tel, black hatred, suspicion, fear, a thousand and one emottone In his heart. At the Jeweler'B his tale eaiunyt the proprietor to almost have e stroke of apoplexy. "A murdered man In her (mite while she was In the station house," he gasped. "Then she won't--” He fairly wept In the depths of hta emotions* “Then the necklace must have been stolen," he finally oried, his eyvw flashing vindic tively. “nut she shunt, have ihe money for It. HI keep that until the rightful owner cranes along. Perhaps I may get back the ten thousand dollars I jiaid her tor an option on It." "Sold -this necklace sold -who bought it?" The Jeweler agitatedly sought the memoran dum of the purchase!. “A Mister Hugo Loubeque—never heard of a t m»V'**atre by such a name hut he had the two hundred Slow sand to buy It and 1 let it go-” “Hqj i loubeque!" Gibson grasped the •snared isi V v the shoulders and fairly shook siusw* frov hlra, st the re-mnntkm of this name that kept continually cropping up hefore him. Dlok Oilieon rushed from the establishment finally, an idea in his head which he cursed him self for not fiaving thought of before. The house where he had last seen Lucille! The house from the seoond story window of which she had looked down at him with the light of a great fear and love and pleading and a call for assist ance In her eyes! The house he had caused to l>e raided and in which there was nothing to he found, not even a sign of life! Might not, was not this mysterious Ixuibeque the one whose hand he had seen dragging her from the window? Breathlessly he darted up to the door and, finding the lock still unrepaired, dashed lnaide and up the stairs. He did not expect to find Lucille there, did not know exactly what he would find, hut ’there was surcease from torture In action, and his brain had been fanned Into flame by the mysterious tales he had heard re garding his sweetheart and the strange crimes which seemed to link her name so inextricably with them. Suddenly he stopped, halted abruptly, lie could hear no sound yet was positive someone was dose to him, that he was being watched. For a full five minutes he waited, there upon the stairs. The silence of the place was oppressive, deadly. "You wished to see me, sir’?" Smiling and suave, hi* great, brooding eyes holding a light of melancholy and sorrow such as the young officer had never witnessed before, appearing as If by magic, and now facing him was Hugo Loulieque. lie knew it was the man he sought yet the compelling personality of the spy a hashed him, drove the blind rage front his heart almost instautly and made him feel like a fool- ish child who ha* asked a primer question of a very wise man. “Loubeque— ’’ he stammered. The international spy bowed gravely, his eye* still fastened upon the young man before him, inscrutable eyes that seemed to search to the very depths of the soul. Ami, as his eyes sought the carpet, away from the magnetic power of the man, all the rage returned to 1 tie young officer. This man was the one who had taken his sweetheart from him, who had tangled her up in such base affairs as those he had just heard of. His eyes roved the ri >rn, lighting upon a pair of broadswords, crossed upon the wall. He caught the smile on The Three Were Silent. There Was ffo Room for Words in This Great Happiness. the spy’s face when he looked again at him and knew his thoughts had been read. “What have you done with i/uoil)e Loref*' he cried. “Miss Love,” murmured Loubeque, hie voice taking on a sighing note that fairly tortured the listener’s ears. “Miss love is on a war ship bound for Washington, I believe.” “Yon know a man was murdered In her suite —that she was arrested as a hotel sneak theif?" Not so much a question as an accusation was It. “Miss Love has been through many more trying situations than that,” answered loubeque slowly, “since she pitted herself against me.” “Pitted herself against you!” The light of a great, understanding gleamed in Gibson’s eyes, mingled with the murderous hatred there. "Then it was you who stole the papers ” “Quite so.” Hugo loubeque turned upon his heel, but the iron grip of the officer was upon his shoulder, whirling him übout so that their faocs met. Gibson’s words came in a sibilant hiss. “You —you coward! So 1 owe you ray dis rse —my enforced resignation from the army. General Love owes his trial and disgrace to you. So you have kept Lucille from us, knowing nothing of tier, thinking her dead ” Words came so fust they choked him. Only his rolling eyes testified to the full extent of his fury. Again they lighted upon the broad swords." Like a panther he leaped across the floor, seising them and slopping them away from the fastening. Loubeque gravely, quietly, without change of ex pression accepted the one that was hurled at his feet, placing himself on guard, easily turning the insane slashes of the officer, who hurled himself upon him. Easily, by wrist alone, Loubeque played with the man. lfis eye held no expression save that rtf one looking very far away, sad. mournful, distant. That look of indifference only served to madden Gibson doubly. He pressed the attack biit could force no recognition from his adver sary. He was panting, breathing, Hnd the spy, de spite his years, showed never a sign of fatigue. Furiously ho lunged when suddenly, the Made of his adversary whirled, sending out score* of scintillating lights as it danced in the air above Ms head. He could hear it whistling about, his ears, singing sinister songs of Death. Yet ho was unable to pierce that guard and make an im pression. Summoning every last, ounce of strength against his tormentor, he swept the great blade high behind his back. Then he brought it forward in one swoop that wotild have severed the spy. He fell back as from a blow, his wrist numbed and deadened hv the wrench that had carried the handle of the heavy sword from his grasp. Hugo Loubeque had dropped his own blade to the floor and was studying him quietly, no glimmer in his eyes. Gibson glared over his head. The sword was still swaying from side to side from the fury with which it had licen driven into the low hanging wooden beam overhead. Instinc* tively his hand reached to recover his weapon when Loubeque laid a hand of iron upon his shoulder. “That will do," he cried sternly. "He a man, sir." Again that mellowed light drove the light of anger from his eyes. His lips opened and the voice of him wns little more than n sigh; “such a man as Miss Lucille Love deserves." Gibson looked at him. startled, aghast. Once more Loubeque would have spoken when, from, below stairs, came the shrill screech of a po liceman's whistle, followed almost instantly by a rush of feet upon the stairs. The spy seemed in no wise perturbed, even though the sounds were growing louder and louder each fraction of a second. His right hand moved along the desk, picking up a small ivory box, exquisite!} carved, which he handed to Qis man who had wo lately lusted for his blood. “You will kindly give this to —Lucille—with my compliments and felicitations," he murmured, bowing again in the grave, Continental fashion which had so impressed the other. Gibson stared at him, wondering at the lack of emotion on his face in this moment of peril. Slowly, steadily Loubeque stepped backward. Then suddenly a yawning panel stood beside him. He stood in the cavity a second, smiling as the door burst open and Sergeant Daly, followed by a squad of uniformed officer* lurched into the room. “That’s him!” Daly’s shout turned into a wild yelp of terror, as the room bhot from under the feet of tho occupants and they found themselves precipitated into the very bowels of the house. It was half an hour before they managed to find their way out; half an hour which swallowed up the international spy completely as though it had been the grave. CHAPTER XXXXXV. An Appeal and an Interruption. Lucille finished her dressing and turned to look out the hotel window over Pennsylvania Avenue. Far in the distance she could see the stately head of the Capitol building. Upon the street she could make out from the very manner of the pedestrians just who was of importance in managing the ma chinery of the great nation, citisensliip in which had always been her proudest boast. She re called the short year that had elapsed since last she was in Washington, just before sailing for Manila to join her father, happy and care-free and ignorant of life’s struggle as ever a girl could be. But now she was alone in this magnificent city of distances, a girl seeking to save the father to whom all men had done deference on ♦ hat former visit, from disgrace at the hands of the country he had been so .proud to serve. When the Captain of the Terror had spoken of the Court of Inquiry before which Gen eral Sumpter Love was being tried for selling the papers he had received from Washington, she had con jured up visions of him behind bars, dreamed horrible dreams of a disgrace that was being heaped hpon him physically as well as men ially. But when she realized on reaching the city that he Was at a hotel, living quite the same as she herself was allowed to live; her joy had sub merged almost every other feeling. It had been four days now, however, and still she had not called up sufficient courage to see him. All night she had been awake trying to scheme up some method of aiding him. The papers she had recovered and it seemed that instead of helping she had placed in the hands of the gov ernment exactly what they wanted to convict. She dared not meet the old man and tell him that she had done this thing. And now, it seemed to her she could stand the strain no longer. Surely, there must be a justice in Washington, a some body big enough* to help her father. All the day before she hail sst in Lafayette Park before the White House, seeing the Ih-e*d dont of the United States come out for his walk, return and leave once more. She had thought liis face kindly, bad even started impulsively to ward him to make a plea for just a few- moments of hi* time to tell him why she was there. And then—just at the supreme moment her courage had failed. Kindly, his face was but she saw also colld reason there and knew that everything looked to lie against General Sumpter Love. Then, too, she realized that clemency would scarcely be forthcoming in the era of war which was upon the nation, with this patient, calm Presi dent fighting against the inevitable from his' country’s Southern neighbor. But there was the Secretary of War! Surely, there might be some chance in an appeal to him. She had managed to gain her way with other men when sorely pressed. Why was it not worth the trial. And so, this morning, after a long timorous glance up and down the long avenue, she had started for the Army and Navy Building with steps thnt were fighting against her own will all the way. “Mi** Lucille Love —Lucille Love " The Secretary turned the card over and over In his hands while regarding her narrowly the while. “I have heard of you. Miss Love, and of the papers. You may rest assured your story will re ceive every attention in the conduct of the trial of your father. Certainly, you know the nation can ill afford to lose such a man just at this time." He sighed heavily, for the trial was a weight upon his own shoulders even as it was upon the shoulders of the entire army. “But you can investigate—my story is strange, unbelievable,” she pled impulsively, reaching out her hands in a wide gesture of ap peal toward him. "I know that. But if you would only investigate. You would find that I told the truth when I said I caught the Princess on an aeroplane. I left word that I had received information that led me to believe the papers were in the possession of someone aboard tha* boat. 'You know I did that. I found the papers and re covered them. I was shipwrecked with them upon a savage island. Hugo Loubeque was also saved and got the papers away once more. And then he got them again in China —look into the records. Ask the Chinese Ambassador to investigate a death ” “All details of your story have been proven, Miss Love,” gravely, sadly answered the cabinet minister, "but there is no evidence in your fath er’s favor. What would be the motive for Hugo Loubeque ” “Revenge,” she answered quickly. “Can’t yo« see ” “If it could be proven——” He was interrupted by the entrance of a clerk with a card. The Secretary frowned, then list ened to the whispered explanation of the man, a slight smile upon his face. He nodded that admit tance was to be granted, then turned again to Lucille. “Mr. Gibson—formerly Lieutenant Gibson—" Lucille sprang to her feet, all confusion. She •trained toward the door but a great fear was holding her back. The last time she had seen her sweetheart he had repulsed her, had turned away from her, and now Gibson entered quickly, halted abruptly at sight of the woman he loved standing there, with the gentle love light in her eyes and the reproach of a maid offended in her form. Slowly, very slowly, as one who would be forgiven yet cannot hope for that forgiveness, he plaoed the little, ivory box in her hands, the box which Hugo Lou beque had given to him. She looked at him in quiringly and his lips parted; “From Hugo Loubeque with hopes tar for giveness and felicitation.” Hugo Loubeque I With trembling fingers she pried open the delicate lid, then gave a sharp cry of disappoint ment that was echoed by one of mute admiration and amuse from the others as, turning the box up side down, the wonderful ruby neoklaoe fell upon the floor, every blood red facet darting a thou sand threats at them. But Lucille’s eyes paid the necklaoe no heed. Instead they fastened upon a little slip of paper in the bottom of the box, dirty and torn, but whioh she dragged forth with a cry of unutterable joy, pressing it to her heart in an ecstasy of delight, fairly babbling over it« Page from Diary of Hugo Loubeque. In aocount with General Sumpter Loire so» dismissal from West Point and robbing me of Lucille Theft committed She read no farther but, sobbing wfth the abandonment of a child, placed the page from tha diary in the hands of the Secretary of War. Ha turned it over and over in his hands, a light of understanding growing in his eyes, a light whioh softened as he looked upon the girl who watched him. “I Bee,” he murmured quietly. "You say, Mr, Gibson, Hugo Loubeque gave this to you to hand to Miss Love?” “Yes sir.” “If you do not object, Miss Love,” he said to the girl, with a little knowing smile in the direo* tion of her sweetheart, “I shall take this immedi ately before the Board of Inquiry. I thintfj with your story and the verifications I have gathered of its details it will not only clear your father but also return to the Army a young Lieutenant who had been named Captain at the time thin un fortunate incident occurred.” “Mr. Secretary ” He still smiled, as, embarrassed, she halted midway toward him, her arms outstretched a* though to throw them about his neck. ‘"Then I shall return it to you,” he said quietly. “It reads: ‘Account finally cancelled by Loubeqne because no hate is' strong enough but would wither and die in him who knows lap cille?*" "You will excuse me,” he added, after a kmg pause. Bvtdently, Important cabinet officer though he was, the Secretary expected no answer to# he did not even glance back at the couple, who were so forgetful of eitquette as to ignore hi* question. But Lucille had her arms close, class about the neck of Richard Gibson, and that young man was only mindful of his burden at the mo ment. CHAPTER XXXXXVT. Concerning Ghosts. At his desk. General Sumpter Love smiled as the murmur of two. voices came to him. His eye* closed wearily and his head sank forward upon his chest, a victim of dreams —dreams of the long ago. It had been hard, giving up to an other this daughter whom he had only just re gained. And yet—and yet—there was another Lu cille —— “Lucille!" His arms were outstretched toward the vision of his dead wife and the cry of her name from his lips, from hi 6 overburdened heart, wakened him with a start. • “You called, Father?” Lucille's arms were about his neck, just as they had been about his neck that other time in Ma nila when she coaxed hi* consent to her marriage to Gibson. And Gibson, with the straps of a Captain, was standing once more in the doorway. His hand rose to pat the rose petal cheek of her. Then his fingers encountered the necklace about her throat, the necklace of rubies which the Washington papers had decanted upon so voluminously in their accounts of the romantlo postponed wedding. As though he had struck a snake, his hand recoiled. "Loubeque’s necklace!" he muttered. The arms about his neck tightened. The cheek was pressed against his own. “Poor, poor Hugo," she murmured. “Poor, poor man who did not know there was no room for hate in a world that might be filled with love. Poor, poor man.” “I think, sometimes,” she murmured dream ily. "I hear his voice as I heard it when he suf fered gladly for me —when he nursed me—out there In the open boat —without water—food — anything- and always is it kind and gentle-f-” General Sumpter Love turned away. His eyes had suddenly become moist. Captain Gihson put his hand gently upon the shaking shoulder of his wife. The three wore silent. There was no room for words. Ghost* were all about—whispering, soothing ghosts that would not be allayed— ghosts that danced merrily through the leaping flames of the grate fire, "that winked from the ashes on the hearth, ghost* that murmured over and over aguin— “Lucille —Lucille ” Ghosts that had an echo from the lips: of a world-weary man directly under the earth front them —Hugo Loubeque, alone with his ghosts tha# murmured always "Lueißc Lucille ” (The End.)