The San Francisco call., 1909-09-19

Nothing could ever be right with US
again. Won't you" she pleaded.
won't you go?" and lifting her hands.
taking his face between them. Won't
you. because l love your"
He stood steady to this assault. and
smiled down upon her. without you
and without it will not bulge. Come
now. this is the end. / never meant to
do another thing"
She covered her face with her hands.
Come. come" His voice was urging
her. now very gentle. TITS more for
your sake than for the jewel now" And
his arm around her shoulders was
gently forcing her to walk beside him
not toward the drive. but away into the
treegrown sheltered wing of the gar
den- BY interlacing paths. from the
tremulous gray willows under the SOM
ber. clashing eucalyptus spears. under
dark wings of cypress they were NOV
ing. She was bracing in every nerve
against the unnerving of his presence.
1t had been always so. Even across
the distance of a room the msre sight
of him had had for her the power to
summon those wild spirits OF the soul
and body that turn reason TO a vapor.
And now so close. with his arm
around her. that same power she had
felt when she saw him first, the power
that had made her come out and be
herself then. the power that had over
xxrHa
was leagued against her again to make
her do this one more thingP which she
wouldn't do. Never. never! Despairing,
she wondered that such an evil motive
could have such strength.
Where have you got 1T nowys she
downward toward where the pouch at
her knee was swinging to and fro
Take II up. then" and like a hypno-
tized creature she gathered 1t into her
hand. But. once she had 1t, she held it
clenched against him.
You're going to give 1T to me-" he
prompted. aren't your and looking
steadily in her face his hand shut
softly on her wrist, and held out her
clenched hand in front of her. And
still they walked, slowly. Like q pendu-
lum the long gold chain swung from
her clenched fingers. To the tree top
birds they seemed as quiet as two
lovers speaking OF their wedding day.
She felt her tension give way in this
qufet-her hand relax.
Dearest" The word brought up her
eyes to his with start of tenderness.
voluntarily, sprung the pouch wide.
They stared together into II. The little
hollow golden shell was empty.
For moment it held her incredulous.
Then, faint and sick. all the founda-
tions of her faith reeling. she slowly
raised her eyes to him in accusation.
She was not ready for the terrible
sternness in his.
Have you lied to mef' he asked IN
low voice. Have you given 1t to
Cressy?"
NO, no, no. she cried in horror TT
morning!" They. looked at each other
now equally sincere and aghast-
But you have seen him; you've been
near him?' he demanded.
She gasped out the whole truth.
This morning! He left me. He kissed
me-"
Then. my God. where is her, He
gave a wide glance around him. Then
raising his voice. Stay where you arer'
he commanded. and began to run from
her through the trees.
She stood with her hand to her
breast. with the empty pouch spinning
in front OF her. hearing him crashing
in the shrubbery. Then, In sudden
panic at finding herself alone, she ned
back down the willow avenue and burst
out on the broad drive In full view
of the house.
Kerr was not in sight. but there
was a tremor OF disturbance where all
had been still. Clara's face appeared
at one of the upper windows and looked
down into the garden Then Mrs Her
rick, came down the stairs and, show
ing an anxious profile as she passed
hall There was a futter IN the SER
wants quarters. and from side door
the coachman appeared hatless. In his
shirt sleeves. and ran toward the stable.
All the people Of the house seemed to
be running to and fro. but she didn't
see Harry. This struck her with un-
reasoning terror She ned up the
drive. and Clara's small face at the
window watched her.
As she came into the hall she heard
Kerr's voice. He was at the telephone
speaking names she had never heard
In sentences whose meaning was too
much for her stunned senses TO take IN.
but none the less while she listened the
feeling crept over her that there was
some strange revolution taking place
in him. 1t might be transformation:
1t might be only swift increase of
his original power. Whatever II was.
he seemed to her superhuman- The
house was full OF him-fall OF his rapid
his ringing orders. II he
knew that the sapphire was gons, what