The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-02-01
(Continued.l


Emily was talking and moved over
TO the door, where she stood look
ing out at the sunlit veldt. A storm
was raging in her bosom, and, where
all her previous misery had failed to
do so, the old woman's gently spoken
suggestion had brought tears to her
eyes. She longed to fling herself on
tfis good souls sympathetic breast
and sob out the terrible truth. But
she could not. Her trouble was be-
yond anybody's help. She must keep
IL to herself. She must walk alone.
Emily had been mother, sister, friend
10 her in the past. She could be so
no longer.
when she turned back, however.
ssll traces of emotion were suppress
ed. Her burning eyes shone out Of
-hefr pallid setting, but her voice was
steady
You may tell him that, but 1 will
not answer for the result" she said.
..Oh, Emily, if it could only be so L
would willingly DE his slave for the
rest Of my life. You are too hope
full"
mo woman's the right to be any
mans slave" Emily said sharply.
Don't get talking nonsense. I never
saw that man yet whose slave I'd
be-"
Not even John?"
John wouldn't thank you for any
slave" she replied.
But Mary did not let the evasion
pass
But If he would?"
ITS no use figuring on u.s." was
tho retort-
Mary pursued the matter no fur
Their. She turned to the door and
called Saturday. Emily's eyes were
upon her. She watched the girls
slim figure wonderingly. She was
trying to read the meaning of the
curious change of manner; like Tan
Ia she realized that something was
amiss. but for the life Of her could
not understand what it was.
Something's happened to upset
you. Mary" she exclaimed impulsive-
". You haven't touched your break
fast. can see something's wrong In
your manner. What is it? Out with
it, girl; it's no use keeping your
troubles. Isn't Ferman coming back
YETI"
Mary didn't answer at once. A
struggle was going on within her.
She wanted to speak. even against
her better judgment But she check
ed the impulse. and at last gave an
hysterical laugh which had the effecr
OF further alarming her visitor.
well. I'll not deny it," she said
as though about to tell all. 81 am
Jus. angry at something. It's nothing
serious. dear. nothing at all. And
I'm going out now to settle it. When
i come back I'll tell you ALL
She gave her promise with avertcd
eyes Subterfuge was not easy TO
her. Nor did her answer in any way
relieve the other But Emily decid-
ed to worry her no more. She con-
tented herself with a final, straight
forward question for which she had
some reason.
where are you riding to-" she
asked bluntly.
Mary hesitated- Then, as the 9TH
er's keen eyes were upon her, she
found herself answering
Towards Rietfontein."
Emily had difficulty in suppressins
4 start She had seen a horseman
making in that direction as she walk
cd from the mission to visit the farm.
And what is more she had recognized
him. She had not seen Guy Chalmer
for long time. but was not likely to
mistake him when she did.
Suddenly she rose to go.
Then you'll tell me nothing" she
said with pronounced brusqueness.
She had arrived at swift con-
clusion, and was very angry.
Look here. GIRL she went on
quickly, there's unhappiness enough
in this world without folks throwing
theirs away wilfully- You've got a
husband coming back to you who's
a lover. If you won't see it 1 can.
And IL you go playing silly tricks
with him, then, if you are called 20
pay up for it, you'll get no sympathy
from me. I wash my hands of the
whole thing. Have your ride out,
and then come and tell me. And
when you do / shall talk straight,
50 straight that you'll wish you'd new
CT seen me. Goodbye"
Before Mary could make a reply
the old Scotch-woman had swept out
or the hut with all the dignity she
could assume.
When she had gone Mary flung
herself into chair and covered her
face with her hands. She didn't
weep She had no tears. Her mis-
cry was too deep for that. She didn't
move from her attitude until she
heard the shuttle or Tanta's veldt-
schoens outside the hut. Then she
sprang UP and busted herself at n
side table The woman came in.
simultaneously she heard Saturdag
-