The San Francisco call., 1904-12-04

The thought flashed across his mind
that he could pretend not TO know. He
could give Lady Harriet a caution; he
could tell her he attached no import
ance 20 her words: she would take the
hint and be- glad Caylesham would
suspect nothing. He could keep the
check. But Christine? Could he make
that pretense to Christine2
he was sitting shrunk low into his
chair the check still in his fingers,
when the door opened softly, and
Christine came in. She had heard him
open and close the front door, and
had wondered why he did not come
upstairs. His delay. taken with his
staying out ali the evening. made her
ask whether anything had happened
she was IN q white dressing gown,
which she had thrown on when she
got out Of bed. and little slippers of
white fur. She looked very small, very
dainty, very childish: her hair was
like 4 child's tOo brushed smoothly
away from the forehead.
why. John, what's kept you so late?
And what are you doing here?"
She came some steps toward him be-
fore she saw what il was that he held
IN his hand. Then she smiled, say
ing:
You're gloating over that check.
ycu foolish mani"
He raised dull slow eyes to her.
Yes. I've got il here" he muttered.
Christine walked to the rug: his
table was on one side Of the fireplace,
ana she was within five or six feet
Of him.
"Wha+ are YOU doing with it?" she
asked with an impatient ring in her
voice She did not enjoy the sight OF
tho check and had hoped 10 be able
by degrees 10 forget it.
It's dated for Monday. I ought TO
pay Il in in the morning.
In
pay il in A sudden hope rose in her.
'Nothings occurred TO make it unne~
cessary2"
he shook his head heavily. and laid
the paper down on the table.
no. nothing" he said, and then his
eyes rested on her again.
'John sren't you well2'. she asked.
Her Httleness and her childishness
made no appeal TO his tender feelings
Their contrast with what she had done,
with the way she had deceived ana be
trayed him. reused all his repulsion
again. and with il came now a mans
primitive fierce anger. It was impos-
sible for him TO pretend not to know.
mans primitive fierce anger. 1t was
impossible for him TO pretend not TO
know.
Co away" he said in a thick harsh
whisper. Go TO bed L don't wank
you. I want TO be alone"
Her ewes seemed TO grow large:
fearful apprehension dawned in them.
What's the natter What have
d0ne?" she asked, trying TO summon
her wits. wondering at what point she
was attacked. Already her thoughts
were on Cayleshsm but she did not yet
see whence suspicion could have come
He gave her no clew- His eyes had
fallen 20 the check again; he kept
sEuffing his legs about and fdgeting
with his short stiff beard.
-s-1 1 = sN-aFF MAJ
to Harriet Courtland's to-day! Has
she said something about me? John,
YOU wouldn't believe what she said
against me?"
He made no answer. In truth she
rseeded one She knew Harriet Court
land. who had been her friend and in
her confidence. X had not been con-
sidered safe to send RaymOre, because
Harriet would have taunted him about
his erring son. She knew what Har-
Tiet, blind with rage, had found TO
raunt John Fanshaw with. She was
hardly conscious OF resentment against
the traitor. II was all too hopeless for
that. and il all seemed too inevitable.
From the moment she had agreed TO go
10 Caylesham for the money her fore
bOdings had told her that calamity
would come. That was opening the
grave. Now the dead bones had come
TO life She felt as though she could
test nor deny She did not see how
anybody could believe her denial.
why haven't YOU gone? l told you
10 90. In Gods name. goi" he growled
threateningly. Leave me alone, I
tell you"
She gathered her dressing gown
closer round her. She felt as though
the cold struck through il to her body.
She felt utterly prOstrated-and. oh, so
terribly, so helplessly sorry for poor
old John. She hated leaving him alone.
and wished there was somebody else
there 10 console him. She made an ad-
vance toward him, holding out her
hands.
Don't come here. Don't come near
me-" he said in a low voice.
She drew back; her eyes were on him
and full Of pity. Now the check came
into her mind
And that?" she whispered.
4 think 1 shall Kill you If you don't
go" he said with a sudden unsteadi-
ness in his voice.
"Oh, I'll gOi" she murmured discon-
solately "Tll leave you alone" She
put her hands up before her face and
gave a choking sob. It's all no use
now"
She began 10 walk across the room,
her face covered in her hands. her
dressing gown trailing on the floor be-
hind her But when she got half way
she turned on him in Mt of weak pet
ulance.
I didn't want TO go to him; tried
not to. I did all ! could to avoid go
ing 10 him. II was you who insisted
You made me 60 How could I help
It? ! hated it, And now She
came a step toward him. and her
voice changed to a very humble, sad
pleading. It's very long ago, dear
John. many years ago. 1t was all over
many years ago"
He did not speak He motioned her
away with his hand; her appeal did
not seem TO reach him at all. For
all he did. he might not have
heard it With a long sigh she turned
away and walked unsteadily to the
door. When she reached il she turned
again, and looked at him. He was
putting the check back in the dispatch
box, with awkward trembling hands.
She went slowly uD TO her room and
sat down before the dying embers Of
the fire there.
John would send hack the cbecI1f He