Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-06-12
C1fAk TER VIII.-(Continued.)


"You are hurt" says Sir CHRISTOPHER
snxiously. "How?-where"
'This ARM" says Fabian, touching me
Injured part lightly. "a mere scratch,
no doubt, but it hurts" and he turns
away end goes quickly in the direction OF
the house. Dulce, running down the par
cDny steps, goes up to him with very
White little face.
Darling, how brave you WERE l
thought something dreadful was going 10
happen to YOU.
"Take that terrified look off your race,
he says, somewhat languidly, win
smile that's family bitter. "Yon shonid
show more self-control. Take example
by your cousin; see how composed she can
beJand how sensible"
die smiles again, and indicatey Portla
~ glance. For an instant hl' ewes
lmeet hers. Is he wrong in hh Sing she
z Is even a shade paler now than he was
moment since? He is not surE aud he
has no time given him to pke the
thought certainty, as Miss 0prt, turn
ing slowly, goes toward ore Of fhe draw
lngroom windows, and preSen eE is lost to
sight.
There was somethis in he teyes, IN the
hurried glance he g. at the ~, THAI sad
dens Fabian. Atmo. forget kul of Dolces
presence, ne walksaway ffom her, and,
having gained the buse, goes mood'ly up
the stairs toward lis ownhroom.
As he reaches he corrik Dor, and gains
the threshold of hS own rtbm, light step
behind him causi,g him TO turn, he hnds
himself looking nee aglin into Por''a 8
eyes.
She is very pae still, and there is some
thing pathetic bout her mouth. Slowly
she comes UP b him, without utterinS a
word, until sic is so close to him that
she can touchhim, if she will. Then she
speaks:
"You wroged me just now," she s?ys,
In a low vote; you had an evil thought
aboGt me- BIT now now, think" regard
ing him earnestly. you have gene over
Il all againin your own mind, and you un'
derstand low you misjudged me-
You ar quite right in all you say; |
did misjrlge you. l have discovered my
error. You will forgive me-
"You ire not very humble" she says,
"even NV, when you have had to demand
my paron."
"AmI not~ said Fabian, with n sup
prcsse sigh. 81 should be. Forgive me
that, co. and" He pauses 10 draw
his heath quickly, as If in pain. AT this
she Its her head, and something she sees
in rs expression tells her the truth.
"'ou are hurt" she says, hastily, going
meyer to him. "Where?-how?"
F1y ARM" confesscs Fabian, who is.
ineed, suffering greatly, laying his left
hnd upon his right arm, high up above
t'e elbow.
Then let ME be nurse for few min
ties" says Portia. with little smile. u
lsed to be of great use to George" (heI
brother, Colonel Vibart) occasionally
when he came to grief at football, OF IL
the hunting field. Let ME see if my hand
has lost its cunning"
Fabian follows her obediently to he,
sitting room. 1t all seems to him some
thing like q dream that this girl, usually
80 lstless, should now brighten into life
and grow energetic and anxious for hii
sake With gentle fingers she helps hin
to take off his coat, and, in a business
like, very matter-of-fact fashion, unfas
tens tle gold link at his wrist, and, though
pal;ug a little rs she sees the blood upoI
his sleeves, reso,ute]y rolls it up and lays
bare the injured arm.
When she has sponged his arm with ex'
cessivc tenderness, she brings 4 cambria
handkerchief, and, tearing it into strips
winds il round and round the torn flesh,
perhaps that will do until DR.. Bland
ean see it," she says, hopefully. IA
least tell me you are in less pain now,
and that l have done you some small
good"
l"Smallr' says Fabian.
tAh! WELL" she says, lightly, then
sAppose have succeeded, but you must
hromise me- nevertheless, that you wild
lave doctor to look at you
Her tone IS still exquisitely kind; but
there is now a studied Indifference about
It that hurts him keenly. Perhaps in mis-
surprise at this sudden change of manner
he oveIlooks the fact that the indifference
Is studied
"Now that the reaction has set in he
lgocs Cd, bitterly, you believe you have
ldemesned yourself in that you have as
listed one, who
"You are saying what is not true" che
Says, liza low, but clear voice; speaking
slowly and with difficulty, because her
bps ard white and dry.
"Am W. exclaimed he, passionately'
"Say. ifyOu can, that you believe me in
nocent ~ all guilt, and will believe
your!
He pasfcs-she is silent. A terrible
moment ensuos. fraught with agony for
Fabian, anu still she makes no sign. Her
hands, t'Shdy clasped, are hanging be-
fore her; her head is turned aside; her
eyes persistently seek the floor. AS if
every nerve III her body is strung to ex-
cess, sic stands so motIonIess tnat snc
might almost be a statue cut in marble
Her silence is painfully eloquent Ia
bian. il an excess Of passion. ta,rs off the
cambria bandages from his arm and
Hings them at her feet,
II will have none of your charity" be
SAYS. with pale lips; and, THROWING v;do |
the door, strides down the corridor and ;s
soon beyond recall.
When the last echo of his feet his dod
AWAY. Portia rouses herself, and, moying
toward n low chair near tie fr,pl,cn
sinks into it, and presses hei hand con,
ru,s,yely against her heart.
She leans back in her chair as if ex.
houated. and, in truth, in the fair shou
that tarhors her soul but very little power