The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-31

equally so. One swift glance of the
mans flashing black eyes told him
that his words had struck home with
far more force than he had wished
He sought to tighten their effect.
Look here, Molly, it's no use pre-
tending. I can't stand beating about
the bush. Some day we are to be
married.
Some day?"
Now don't pick me up like that,
dear. was going to explain.
Mary smiled.
go ON. I won't interrupt. Why
can we not go to the opera tomor-
row?''
''Why?" Guy laughed a trifle ner-
vously. Because I've got to go back
to Africa
The girl started from her seat with
sharp ejaculation.
"But-but you never told me! You
never even limited at such thing
being likely to happen yet!''
Chalmer still held his position at
the mantelpiece.
81 didn't know myself-until this
morning.
Mary moved across to the window
and stood gazing out through the
rain-stained glass at the drab grey of
the stucco-fronted houses opposite.
The leaden pail of London was pour
ing out its wintry flood with that
dreary persistence for which it is SO
famous. Pimlico, on that November
afternoon, was at it's worst, it's very
worst.
For the moment its mood was in
perfect harmony with the girls
thoughts and feelings. Her sun was
hidden behind the clouds. Her whole
outlook on life had suddenly assum-
ed the drab Of winter. 1t was the
mans voice that reused her.
I'm frightfully sick about it. old
girl. I don't mind telling you I'm as
disappointed as you. But
"Yes?''
stand staring out at the dismal street
Come here, and TIL try to explain
The girl turned back to him obed-
iently.
Its not very inviting, is it?'' she
said, with wistful smile. ooh, Guy,
Senvoy you your Africa. I envy you
your sun, your dry sparkling climate,
your stretches of veldt; yes, even your
'thirsts' would be preferable to our in
cesant rains. Yes, tell me all about
it,
She was trying to face the matter
bravely, but the effort was little
pathetic.
Guy Chalmer ignored the request
His black eyes lit greedily as she came
to him, and his handsome face was
smiling. For the moment he forgot
all in the delight Of her presence. This
girl had power ito stir him as none of
her sex had ever done before. He
reached out and took her in his arms,
and gazed long and hungrily down
into the charming, upturned face, with
it's steady grey eyes and perfectly
moulded lips, so deliciously, tempting
ly lifted to him now. He bent his
head and kissed them holly, passion
itely, and each kiss was returned
with all the wealth Of her woman's
heart.
$50 you envy me my African" he
said, still holding her in his arms
do you envy our scramble for exist
ence out there? Do you envy me the
barren, comfortless life live up there
in Beuchuanaland?"
Eyes, dearest" she said softly, nest
ling closer to him. Il envy you even
that. And why shouldn't I? Your
scramble, as you call it, is healthy.
You live the open life men were mean.
to live, where men have to be men.
1t is real living. It has none Of the
petty shams that go to make UP our
daily round. Oh, how hate the life
Of the stage am condemned to, with
it's grease-paint and show, it's petty
jealousies and absurd vanities, where
every woman is a victim of the scan
dalous tongues of whitewashed re-
spectability. ! would give ten years
of my life for something of the
strengthening roughness of your
Africa's frontier"
She gazed up into the bronzed face
with all her enthusiasm shining iii
her eyes. She meant every word she
said, for her spirit was larger and
stronger than her slight body But
there was no responsive enthusiasm
In the dark face above her, only a
smile, half incredulous, half quizzi
cal. She knew he was laughing ct
her.
He could not understand her spirit
He was condemned to the life she
loved to dream about, and he hated
it. Ei.S was a nature that craved for
the fesh-pots of civilization, for the
pleasures of wealth. He loved ease
and plenty, and the acme Of sensu-
al luxury.
He shook his head. and she gently
withdrew herself from his arms. She
often felt that he did not fully under
stand her She loved him with all
her heart and soul. He represented