The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-31
(Continued.l


But her newborn love was no
rifling danger to her hopes. She
lid not know it. How could she?
Even Emily verricker saw no threat
n it. What was to happen If the
barrier between husband and wife
should resist loves most ardent ap-
peal? Such things had happened.
Mary was a proud, high-spirited wo-
man, and the first long year OF her
married life had increased rather
than lessened her sensitiveness In
his direction. The position was
critical. and almost any accident
might destroy the chances of their
ever coming together.
Elwood had not been home since
his journey into the desert. Origin
Ally he intended to return at once
On the completion of his mission. But
he changed his mind, and Mary re-
ceived a note from one of his boys
to say that he would not be back for
week. The letter was unusually
ness running through it that the girl
was quick to detect. His absence
was a great disappointment, but his
words in measure compensated her.
She read what lay between the
lines with thrill of delight such
as she had never before experienced.
she told Tanta of the prolongation
Of his absence with a calmness which
the light in her beautiful grey eyes
belied. She carried her news to
Emily ut the mission with needless
haste. The truth was, she felt that
she must talk to some one; not to
tell them what she had read in the
letter, but to relieve the pressure Of
her feelings.
And now it was Tuesday. Tomor-
row he would return.
She was sitting in the doorway OF
her Kaffir home, gazing out through
the wide entrance of the surrounding
kraal at the slowly setting sun Dip
ping towards the evening clouds
which were rising to meet and en-
velop 1t and bear it upon its journey
netherward. The ruins of the farm
were directly in her line of vision,
but they were little better than a
charred heap upon the ground. Moth
ing had been left standing. This was
her favorite seat and time Tor neuf-
tation, and just now she was think
ing of the morrow.
The sun had just been swallow ed
up by the lurid cloud-banks. Guy
Chalmer was striding over the veldt
in the direction Of Elwood's Kaffir
kraal His course lay along the
troughs of rolling grassland. Avoid
ing the higher wave-crests, he came
along through the tortuous channels
without pause, as though he had
-.ad:ed carefully beforehand how
best he could approach and yet avoid
the prying eyes in the settlement.
Thus it was that he came upon
the kraal suddenly, and without
Mary's. observing him until he enter
ed the gates. His coming startled
her, and she sprang from her seat
with an inarticulate ejaculation.
He reached her side almost at
once. She would have made her es-
cape into the hut and denied him,
but pride held her STILL She told
herself that she no longer feared this
man; only disliked him.
Don't co." the man said quickly,
as he saw her movement. 81 have
something Of great Importance to tell
you-''
your" she cried; and her tone
thrilled with surprise and displeas-
ure. Her eyes, too, shone with an
anger she did not attempt to con-
ceaI. He was the last person she
desired to see. His coming had rude
" banished her day-dreaming, and
its passing left her hard, and cold,
and more than resentful-
The rams face had lost its bright
ness of expression. Even his good
gone. To Mary he seemed to have
suddenly grown old. Nervous fur
rows lined his face; a painfully dis
tressing light shone in his eyes. His
whole body seemed to be in the grip
of a nervous straining which was
wholly beyond his control
His first anxiety lest she should re-
fuse to see him passed as she re-
manned in the doorway, and her ex-
clamation was quite without effect
upon him. Now he looked down in
to her face and tried to smile with
something of his old confidence, but
the effort was a failure, and merely
resulted I'm a distorted grin.
He frie1 to speak naturally, but
there was 40 -a>in-ss in his dice;
his appreh ension had completely
mastered him. Mary tried to hold
his furtive gaze. but his eyes dropped
before her steady regard
why have you come here now %
she demanded coldly.
The man ignored her tone. All h:
wanted WAS that she should listen ID
him. He did not answer at once
and the woman moved impatiently
Mt the prolonged silence. At last he