The Southern herald., 1910-11-18

worst yet, and when he turned back
to her from the other end Of the room
there was something so haggard, so
harassed, so fairly guilty about him
that il she had ever thought Of tell
ing him the truth Of how she came by
the ring she put 1t away from her
now.
But beneath his distress she recog-
nized a desperate earnestness. There
was something be wanted at any cost.
but he was going to be gentle with
her. She had felt before the poten-
uality Of his gentleness, and she
doubted her power to resist II. She
famed up all the fame Of anger that
had swept her into the room. She re-
minded herself that the greatest gen
ueness might only be a blind; that
there was nothing stronger than want
ing something very much, and that
the protection Of the jewel was very
thin. But when he stood beside her
she realized he held a stronger
weapon against her than his gentle
ness, something apart from his inten.
tion.
He was speaking. almost coaxingly
as If to a child. Il understand" he
was saying. Il know all about 1t. It's
mistake. But surely you don't ex-
pect to keep it now. It will only be
an annoyance to you"
She turned on him. What could it
be to you?"
Kerr, planted before her, with his
head dropped, looked, looked, looked,
as II he gave silence leave to answer
for him what 1t would 1t answered
with hundred echoes ringing up to
her from long corridors of conjecture,
half-articulated words breathing of
how extraordinary the answer must
be that he did not dare to make.
What will you take for itH" he said
at last.
She was silent. With a sick dis
trust It came to her that It was the
very worst thing he could have said
after that speaking silence.
She stepped away from him. "This
thing is not for sale"
He stared at her with amazement;
then threw back his head and laughed
as II something had amused him
above all tragedy.
"You are an extraordinary crea.
ture," he said, "but really / must
have 1t. can't explain the why of it;
only give the sapphire to me, and
you'll never be sorry for having done
that for me. Whatever happens, you
may be sure l won't talk. Even II
the thing comes out, you shan't be
mixed up In It." He had come near
her again, and the point of his long
forefnger rested on her arm. She
was motionless, overwhelmed with
pure terror, with despair.
why not give 1t to me now" he
urged, "since, Of course, you can't
keep it? could have 1t now in spite
of you"
Everything in her sprang up In
antagonism to meet him. II know
what you are" she cried, but you
shan't have It, You have no more
right to it than l. You can't get II
away from me, and l shant give it tC
you"
He had grown suddenly paler; his
eyes were dancing, fastened upon hel
breast. His long hands closed ant
opened. She looked down, arrested
at the sight of her hand clenched just
where her breath was shortest, ovei
the sapphire's hiding-place.
He smiled. How easily she had be
trayed herself! But she abated not
jot of her defiance, challenging him
now he knew It's hidding-place, tt
take the sapphire II he could. But h,
did not move. And 1t came to he
then that she had been ridiculous t.
think for an instant that this mai
would take anything from her b!
force. What she had to fear was hi
will at work upon hers, his persuasion
! his ingenuity. She thought of the pur
! pie irises and how he had draw
them toward him in the crook of hi
, cane-and her dread was lest h,
meant to overcome her with som,
I. subtlety she could not combat.
The click Of a moving latch brough
his eyes from hers to the door.
! "Some one is coming in" he said II
guarded voice. 1t warned her tha
! her face showed too much, but sh,
, could not hope to recover her com
i posure. She hardly wanted to. Sh,
was in a state to fancy that a secre
!, could be kept by main force; and sh,
! turned without abatement of her reck
= less mood and took her hand from
where she had held 1t clenched upol
). her breast and stretched 1t out t,
> Mrs Herrick.
? The lady had stood in the doorwa.
. a moment-a long-featured, whitish
modelled face, draped in a dull greer
veil, a tall figure whose flowing skirt
;. of black melted away into the back
8 ground of the hall-before she cam,
I forward and met her hostess han,
with clasp firm and ready.
Il I'm SO glad to find you here" sh
s said. She looked directly into Flora
e eyes, into the very center of her agi
tation. She held her tremulous han,