The Raymer enterprise., 1910-12-15


her in full open field. had not been
the fatal thing she had feared. It
had been peril met that nerved her
to a higher courage. Now she could
walk CALAMITY to the most uncertain
moment of her life. Between the gllm.
mering willows down the long avenue
she passed, her flowing draperies
borne backwards as by triumphant
airs. The wind of her approach
seemed to reach the two still far in
front of her.
They turned and watched her draw.
Ing nearer. and before she had quite
reached them Kerr stretched out his
hand as II to help her over last
rough place, and drew her toward him
and held her beside him with his fin.
gers lightly clasped around her wrist.
She saw that he looked pale, worn, as
he had not been last night, and, what
struck her most strangely, angry. The
hand that held hers shook with the
violent pulse that was beating in 1t.
He turned to Clara.
will you pardon us, Mrs. Britton?'
Then after another patient moment,
Miss Gilsey has something to say
to me- Still he made no motion to
move away, and at last Clara seemed
to understand what was expected Of
her She flushed. and In the middle
OF that color her eyes flashed double
steel. For the first time in Flora's
memory she was at loss. She passed
them without a word. n
Kerr looked after the little brilliant
figure, moving daintily away through
sun and shadow. with deep disgust in
his face. But when he turned to
Flora disgust lifted to high severity.
why didn't you come. last night?"
u couldn't. He was there, Harry,
outside my door,"
In Gods name! What did you tell
him?"
Nothing. We did not speak-but
couldn't get past HIM" The suspic.
Ion in his face was more than she
could bear "You must believe me-
for, II you don't. we're both LOST"
He had her by both wrists, now, and
gently made her face him. 81 have
believed In you to the extent of com.
Ing alone to place know nothing
Of, because you wanted me. Now that
] am here, what is 1t you have to say
to me?"
"Oh, nothing more than have said
before" she pleaded; only that, ten
times more earnestly"
you extraordinary child" At first,
he was pure amazement. You've
brought me so far, you've come so far
yourself-you've got us both here In
such danger. to tell me only this?
How could you be SO mad--so cruel%
She had locked her hands In front
of her until the nails showed white
with the pressure. 1T was more dan.
gerous there than here. You don't
know what has happened since saw
you. And thought II you and could
only be alone together, without the
fear Of them always between us, I
could show you, I could persuade
YOU" Before his look she broke
dowa. "Well-you see, they followed
us-,hey are here"
Grant 1t, they are" He seemed to
laugh at them. you have still your
chance. Give everything to me and
! can save you still"
Save me?' Oh, nothing could hap
pen to me so terrible as having you
break my heart like this! II should
give the sapphire to you should
lose you-even the thought of you
for ever. 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, Wont you, because ! love
you?"
He stood steady to this assault, and
smiled down upon her. without you
and without 1t I will not bulge. Come
now, this is the end. never meant
to do another thing"
She covered her face with her
lands.
Come, come" His voice was urg.
Ing her. now very gentle. TITS more
for your sake than for the Jewel now
And his arm around her shoulder was
gently forcing her to walk beside him
not toward the drive. but away into
the tree.grown sheltered wing Of the
garden. BY interlacing paths. from
the tremulous gray willows under the
somber. clashing eucalyptus spears.
under dark wings OF cypress they
were moving. She was bracing In
every nerve against the unnerving Of
his presence.
where have you got It now" she
heard him asking, and she pointed
downward toward where the pouch
at her knee was swinging to and fro.
Take 1t up. then" and like a hipno.
tized creature she gathered 1t into her
hand. But, once she had 1t, she held
It clenched against him.
you're going to give It to me-" he
prompted, aren't you?--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 pendulum the long gold chain
swung from her clenched fingers. To