The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-08-11


 would, the removal even now of the cause of the mischief. The woman in black was still in the hotel. Since the fracas at the Gymkhana the Youngs had taken their meals in their own room, but again and again, in the hall or on the stairs, the dean had seen her and been made to shudder by her jeer- ing laugh, or some wild word thrown after him. The poison she distilled made the place loathsome to him.
 There was but one way, then. He could not justify it to himself, and it was dangerous; but fate provided him with the opportunity, and he let him. self be tempted.
 It happened some days after the sports. He was strolling disconso- lately among the rocks, quontum nu- tatus a6 illo, and was near the Shema battery, a tolerably solitary spot, when he met the woman alone. She was close to the waters edge, and he went to her and spoke without pre- face. "Madam," he said, looking sternly at her, while she first started and then smirked at him, "l am aware that you are only here to annoy me-"
 "No, no; to regain your affection, brother" she said in a minciDg way that sorely tempted him to strike her.
 "Well, you do annoy me-" he an- swered dispassionately. "I do not know what your motive may be, but presume it is connected with money. Well, money you shall have. I am prepared to give you 8 hundred pounds if you will take yourself off tomorrow"
 The proposition was an abrupt one, and her face changed surprisingly. But he read in it none of the triumph for which he looked, only fear and suspicion. "It is a trap" the woman said, looking up at him with her beady eyes. "It is a trap!" But as she said this second time her fingers behan to clutch one another greedily.
 "I do not wish to entrap you," re- joined the dean, "and I have no wit nesses. However, those are my terms; if you refuse them, I shall myself leave tomorrow. That is all."
 "l am not extorting money" she said, asserting it sullenly after long pause. "You will remember that. I have asked for nothing"
 'I shall not prosecute you," he re- joined dryly, Eff you keep out of my way in future"
 "I will promise to do that" she an- swered briskly and glad. "There! will take it," she continued after a momentary hesitation, closing her lips tightly, as if she knew of some risk and was prepared to run it. "When will you pay me?"
 The dean paused to think. "To- morrow at noon," he answered, "and here. But only after have seen your baggage in the hall, and learned that you have given up your room." "Rightl" she said shortly, and nodded and went away at once.
 "Right? hope it is not all wrong," he groaned as he went his way to the Sliema landing place by another road, and even then, seeing her on the steam terry, had to take a rowing boat to cross the quarantine harbor, or go in her company.
 Still he tried to assume the old aplomd now, assuring himself that his troubles were over. But he could not quite compass it. He was not broken to subterfuges and intrigues. Essen tially an honest man, he failed to com- bine them with his natural dignity. When he stole away next day-halt an hour. late-to the rendezvous, he had the air of whipped dean.
 He came upon his accomplice before he reached the shore, at the corner of some gardens close to the battery. The woman was returning in her an- ger, thinking he had deceived her, but her face cleared on seeing him. "Well," she said roughly, "have you got it?" She had dropped all pretence now of being lady.
 He glanced round to see if they were alone. How he hated the whole thing! And then he handed the packet to her. She counted the notes slowly, he eying her the while with aversion. "Yes, they are right" she said, going pace or two from him while she put up the packet; and then turning again. "You will see no more of me. I should have left you in peace to-day, whether or no, old gentleman"
 This was not pleasant hearing, but the dean did not answer; tor one reason, because man had appeared in the road behind her, and within ear- shot. If she had looked up as she stepped away before turning to utter that last bit of ill-nature, she would have seen this man. But she had not 4ooked up, and now she walked straight in his arms, and recciled with a faint shriek.
 The newcomer took her by the shoulder and gave her slight shake.