The Raymer enterprise., 1910-12-15
CHAPTER XIII.
Touche.

ouCne.
Left alone, Flora glanced rapidly
around her. Now for a sally, now for
dash straight for Kerr. The short
est way was what she wanted. Open,
ing doors lately had led to too many
surprises. She pushed aside the long
curtains and stepped out through the
French window upon the veranda
A hundred yards distant she saw
the two standing. Kerr presented his
back, and with his head little canted
forward seemed to listen. absorbed in
his companion. But that companion
was smaller figure than Mrs. Her.
rick's, and her veil made an aura OF
filmy white around her face. The
sight Of her was enough to stop Flora
short, and in that instant Harry. max.
ing cut across the hower.beds,
caught up with her. He stopped as
abruptly as she, and gazed with a
dismay that surpassed her own. For
an instant she thought he was about
to make dash down the walk for
them. Then he caught Flora's hand
and pulled her back. There was no
help for 1t. she thought. Her other
hand crept downward stealthily and
gathered up her swinging pouch Of
gold. Trembling. she let him drag her
back, but when they faced each other
behind the plumes and swords of a
great pampas clump she was shocked
at the emotion in his face; and as II
what he had Just seen had given the
last touch, his voice had risen key
and between every half-dozen words l,
broke for breath
Look here, Flora" he began; az
know you've been trying to give me
the slip ever since night before last
frightened you then. I didn't NEAR
to, but you had no business to keeI
the ring after what told you. No
I'm not going to touch YOU" as she
shrank back against the pampas
swords, but I want you to give 1t tc
me. yourself. right here and now"
She looked up into his face, burning
fiery in the sun beating down on his
bare head. mo, no, Harry: I sham
give 1t to you. Last time I said
would give 1t to you for a good rea
son, but now wouldn't give 1t to YOU
for anything" @
"You don't know what you're do
Ing" he cried. F.
II do; know as well as you that
this Is part Of the Crew Idol I've
known 1t all along, and when the time
comes I'm going to give 1t myself Il
Mr.. Purdle. but not until that time"
Harry passed his hand over his face
with an inarticulate sound Then
"You will ruin us!" he choked.
II shall tell the truth, whatever
comes" she exulted. To tell the truth
and keep on telling it-that. in hel
passion OF relief at speaking out a
last, was all she wanted! But Harr,
fell back. He changed countenance
He recovered himself.
Look here, Flora; II you do I'm go
ing to leave you. I'm going to leav,
you to what you've chosen"
She met It steadily. I'm glad you
say So I've been thinking for day
that It would be better &c."
Have your" he said In a low voice
looking at her earnestly. "Of course
! know the reason Of that. I mean
It to be different, but now there's n,
help. i" l
With a motion too quick for her t,
escape he stopped and kissed he
lightly. To that moment she hal
pitied him. but his touch she loathed
She thrust him away with both hands
He turned. Without speaking, with
out looking at her again, he walket
away. She watched him with a des
perate feeling Of being abandoned, o
losing something powerful and valu
able. The faint, thin screech Of q ID
connective from station far down tn
line made him pause, and turn, an,
gaze under bis hand in the stronl
sun. So for moment she saw him
lowering. peering figure movinl
away from her over the lawn betweel
broad nower.beds. Then he disar
peared among The shrubbery.