The San Francisco call., 1907-03-17

should have the power of speech. !"
she might be, had flinched before him
in agony. as though her very nerves
were being hacked out of her body.
And Blenavon, too! Surely he might
have remembered that he was her
brother. He might have helped him to
retain just a portion of his self-respect.
Was he so severe on every measure OF
wrongdoing? I fancied TO myself the
meeting on that lonely road between
the poor wlite-faced creature who had
looked in upon my window and this
strong, merciless man. Warmed with
exercise as I was, / shivered. Ray re-
minded me of those grim figures of the
Old Testament. AN eye for an eye, Il
life for a life, were precepts with him,
indeed. He was as inexorable as Fate
itself. / feared him. and | knew why.
] feared him when I thought of An
gela, almost yoversensitive, so delicate
a flower to be held in his strong. merci-
less grasp. I walked faster and faster,
for thoughts were crowding in upon
me. Such a tangled web, such bitter
sweetness as they held for me. These
were the thoughts which in those days
it was the struggle of my life TO keep
from coming to fruition- I knew very
we'll that, il once / gave way to them,
love OF her was in my nerves, in every
beat OF my pulse. q wild and beautiful
dream, against which / was fighting
always hopeless battle
Far away. coming toward me along
the sands, | saw her stopped short
For moment my heart was hot with
joy. then ! looked wildly around. think
ing of flight 1t was not possi-
BILE. Already she had seen me.
ShQ
creased her pace, walking with
the swift effortless grace of her beau
tifuI young limbs, her head thrown
back. welcoming smile already part
ing her lips. I set my teeth and pre-
pared myself for the meeting After
ward would come the pain, but for the
present the joy of seeing her. of being
with her, was everything! l hastened
forward.
Il could not stay indoors" she said.
as she turned by my side, although
| have an old aunt and some very unin-
terestiug visitors TO entertain. Besides.
l have news. My father is coming down
today, and l think some of the 9TH
.ers. We have just had a telegram
II am glad" / answered. "I have Just
finished my work, and I want some
more
''You are Unsuitable" she declared.
smiling. You have written for three
days, days and nights. too, / believe,
and YOU look like ghost. You ought
to take a rest now. You want one, at
any rate
Then the smile faded from her lips
and the anxiety of a sudden thought
possessed her.
II have not heard a word from
Colonel Ray" she said. TT terrifes me
to think that he may have told my
father about Blenayon"
You must insist upon it that lie
does not declared. Your brother
has left England, has he not?
He is at Ostend-"
Then Colonel Ray will keep his
word" I assured her. Besides. you
have written to him. have you not?'
II have written" she answered. still
/ am afraid. He will do what he thinks
right, whatever it may be-
s'FIe will respect your wishes said.
She smiled little bitterly.
'.ETe is not an easy person to infiu-
ence,'' she murmured. II doubt whether
my wishes, even my prayers, would
weigh with him II particle against his
own Judgment. And he is severe-very
severe"
said nothing, and we walked for
some time in silence.
Next week. she said abruptly. Il
must go back to London
''One season is very much like an
other" she said, ''but 1t is not possible
to absent oneself altogether. Then aft
erward there is Cowes and Homburg,
and 1 always have a plan for at least
three weeks in Scotland. / behave we
shall close Rowchester altogether
The Duke?'' l asked.
He never spends the summer here
she answered. I'VE are generally to-
gether after July. so perhaps" she add
ed, you may have tp endure more of
my company than you think"
She looked at me with a faint. pro-
voking smile. How dare she? | was
master of myself now. and 1 answered
her coldly.
II shall be very sorry to leave here
said. II hope If my work lasts so
long that l shall be able to go on with
1t at the Brand.
She made no answer to that. but in
a moment or two she turned and
looked at me thoughtfulIy.
You are rather a surprising per-
son." she remarked, '1n many WAYS.
And you certainly have strange tastes. .
.Is it a strange taste to love this
placer" l asked.
'Of course not. But. on the other
hand. it is strange that you should be
content to remain her indefinitely SoIi
tude is all very well at times. but at
your age I think that the vigorous life