The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-24

work in opposition to his conspiracy one that must have long been at work, unseen, unheard, utterly unex- pecteds What disastrous consequences eyes! He must temporize until the new danger was properly focused. Not only this, but that mad com pact which he had been forced into, had suddenly assumed alarming pro- portions. It was an obstruction that hedged him in on every side. and which would need drastic treatment to avoid. The possibilities of his po- sition for disaster were tremendous. and until this moment he had been blind to the fact. A feeling akin to moral dread assailed him. while his thoughts jumped to the only possible solution of the difficulty. He turned away, looking down the road in the direction of the drift. and found himself answering quite
 quietly.
 T don't admit your statement that intend making a journey across the desert, but I confess our com pact hasn't troubled me in the least. In fact, I considered the whole busi- ness as the scheme of-cf-what shall I say?-a disordered brain, and as such, not worth a second thought, Of course, if you are serious, there can only be one end to it, which, no doubt, you have already realized. Mary and I are not likely to give each other up. You see, we can't, and don't want to forget the past. She will have the money when you die-you yourself have said so; then well, why should we give each oth- CT up? But if this quixotic madness
 is to interfere with my liberty of movement until the time agreed upon, then, for heavens sake. let's
 find a swifter method of dealing
 with it."
 There was something almost like a | smile in Elwood's eyes as he listened
 to the ingenious words. "You mistake me-" he said. 'I have no intention of restricting your
 movements, except in so far as they
 may prevent your being here in
 Mafeking on the appointed day." "But I was merely riding to Groot- fontein when"
 f1
 to the matter we are discussing-to 1 bring this chat about"
 "And incidentally to give me a l walk of fifteen miles,"
 "As regards your request for a swifter settlement" E1wood went on, | ignoring the interruption. 'I see no | reason to make any such concession Besides, since you have no intention
 of making the journey I thought you were about to make, there is no req son for any alteration in the date. ]
 think we quite understand each oth- CT now.''
 "Yes, quite"
 An ironical light shown in FL | woods eyes as he noted the tone of
 his companion's reply.
 Here comes the post-cart,'' he
 said easily. Are you going down to
 the store?'
 "No," Guys voice rasped vindic- lively. "I am going up to your house."
 "Ah, you won't find Mary there; she
 has just joined the folk at the store, She's spending the day with Mrs. Verricker. Goodbye"
 The big man strode away, leaving the other discomhted. Guy stood | watching the approaching cart for some moments. It passed him on Its
 way to the store, it's six mules urged into a final race by the Afrikander driver, who never neglected the ma.
 tive tradition of a swell flourish when approaching his destination. Then
 he moved off in the direction of the
 location, secure from observation
 through the general interest in the postcards arrival.
 | An hour later Elwood was walking
 back to the mission with Emily Yer
 ricker and Mary. The shadows were
 already lengthening, and the cool ot
 approaching evening tempered the
 air. The people gathered at the
 store for the arrival of the mail had
 scattered again to their houses, and
 the settlement had returned to its
 sleepy air. Mary was walking with
 an arm affectionately clasped about
 the older woman's waist, and Fermar
 strode along on the other side.
 Gro Be Continued.j l ADVERTISE IN THE FARMER.