Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-01-25

struck her most strangely. angry. The
hand that held hers shook with the
violent pulse that was beating in IT,.
He turned to Clara.
VIII 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 5
memory she was at a loss. She passed
them without a word.
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?"
Il couldn't. He was there. Harry
outside my door"
In Gods name! What did you tel.
him?"
Nothing. We did not speak-but I
couldn't get past him" The suspic-
ion in his face was more than she
could bear. You must believe me
for, If you don't. we're both LOST"
He had her by both wrists. now. and
gently made her face him. Il have
believed in you to the extent Of com
ing alone to place l know nothing
of, because YOU wanted me Now that
l am here, what is it 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. Y was more dan.
gerous there than here. You don't
know what has happened since saw
you. And I thought If you and / could
only be alone together. without the
fear of them always between US. /
could show you. could persuade
you" Before his look she broke
down. 'Well-you see. they followed
us-they are here"
Grant II. 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 I should
give the sapphire to you l 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
your"
He stood steady to this assault, and
smiled down upon her. Without you
and without It will MOI bulge. Come
now. this is the end. never meant
to do another thing"
She covered her face with her
hands.
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
sCnber, clashing eucalyptus spears,
under dark wings of cypress they
were moving She was bracing in
every nerve against the unnerving of
his presence.
It had been always so Even across
the distance of a room the mere sight
of him had had for her the power to
summon those wild spirits of the soul
and body that turn reason to a va
por. And now so close. with his arm
around her. that same power she had
felt when she saw him first, the power
that had made her come out and be
herself then. the power that had over
whelmed her in the little restaurant,
was leagued against her again to make
her do this one more thing. which she
wouldn't do. Never, never! Despair
ing. she wondered that such an evil
motive could have such strength.
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 II up. then" and like 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 IL 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 cIeached hand in front Of
her. And still they walked, slowly.
Like a pendulum the long gold chain
swung from her clenched fingers To
the tree-top birds they seemed as
quiet as two lovers speaking Of their
wedding day. She felt her tension
give way in this quiet-her hand re-
lax
Dearest" The word brought up
her eyes to his with a start Of tender
ness. open IT," he said. and her
hand. Involuntary. sprung the pouch
wide. They stared together into it
The little hollow golden shell was
empty
For a moment II held her incred-
ulous. Then faint and sick. all the
foundations Of her faith Keeling, she
slowly raised her eyes TO him in &C
cusation. She vas not ready for the
terrible sternness in bis.
Have you lied TO me?' he asked
in a low voice Have you given It TO
Cressy?"