The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-05

about that bloated, bearded face, s,ouch-
ing along the sentry post was the form she
dreaded-hated to see, yet sought with
burning eyes. As she gazed he saw and
stood, and leering over the intervening
drifts of spotless snow, kissed his fur
gloved paw and tossed his hand in half de-
fiant, half derisive, all insulting salutation.
Mrs. Farrar," she cried, in utter despe-
ration, turning m ably away from the hate
full sight. IL must get into the open
air awhile. You won't mind, dear. | must
walk-walk, run, rush in the cold. No,
don't come, and pray let Ellis keep with
you. In ten-twenty minutes at the most
I'll RETURN
'Ah, Helen, wait until Willy-until NAL
colin Leale returns from the stables. See
they'r coming now. They will walk with
you.
"Oh, no, no, MOI Do you not see? must
be alone. / cannot talk to any one. Let me
60 she cried. Then before either the moth
er could interpose or Ellis, who came hur-
rying into the room, could urge one word
she had seized heavy wrap and gone, al
most bounding down the stairs.
AT the threshold she recoiled for there,
his honest face full OF eagerness as the door
flew open, stood Jack Ormsby. IL was
was just about to ring, he faltered, sand
inquire after you-and for-Miss Farrar.
You really startled me-"
the eager, low-toned, almost breathless
answer. "Oh, Mr.. Ormsby. 1t was you
sought. Come-right in here
And drawing him into the parlor, she
/ closed the door, reckless now OF anything
Ellis might suspect, thinking only of the
peril that menaced one and all. Perhaps
Jack Ormby's longing eyes caught one
fleeting glimpse of feminine drapery at the
head of the little staircase. Perhaps his
own wrongs and woes had overmastered
| him. Perhaps he thought that already he
| had been too heavily involved, all on &C
count of this fair sufferer and suppliant,
but certain it is he followed hesitant, and
! that it was with a far from reassuring face
he confronted his captor.
"Mr. Ormsby,' she burst forth. "How
much money would you give, at once, this
day, to rid the post of the greatest shame
/ and misery that could be brought upon
/ Ellis and her mother?
Il can't imagine what you mean" was
/ the uncertain reply.
| Il mean that Royle Farrar is herein
| this garrison-a private soldier in Captain
/ Leale's troop"
Mrs Daunton! Are you mad?''
/ Mad? My heaven, | might well be He
came before me this noon, with her, with
i his mother not twenty steps away, and
! tainted me and threatened them. Oh,
/ God he means 1.-THE means TO make him
/ self known TO them and claim their KIN
/ ship in the way TO shame them most, and
/ the shock viii kill her, kill her There is
only one earthly way. He will go foI
money"
He can't, if he's soldier. It's deser-
! ton. It's-why, they follow them, capture
! them, and 1t means States prison or some
/ thing for years
II know nothing of that-I know I'm
only a helpless, distracted woman, but
drink and money are the two things he
worships. For them he will risk anything.
l can see him this night. He is this
moment on post out here on the bluff
| You know him. It's the man they call
Tom Graice."
/. Ormsby's hat fell from his hand. my
! heavenI That man here again?n
Here. here, and | have known it only
I for a few hours. See what / am suffering.
| Do you not see what it means if Royle
Farrar makes himself known-and he is