The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-16
THE COMPACT The Story of an Unrecorded Con-:
 spiracy in South Africa
RIDGWELL CULLUM
N
of The Watchers of the Plains, Night
Author of

CT came in to Leyburg, which was our home, and he brought my mans wagons with him. Piet, my husband. after I'd been ill awhile, I got round to my senses. I knew then how I'd really loved my man, an that my ba- by girl wasn't nowhere compared Well, it's years gone now" she added with a sigh, f"and it's just one of those things that it's not good to worrit over, eos it can't be changed It's the things than can-'
 The old woman broke off. Foot steps were coming down the passage.
 "The master she whispered in an awed fashion.
 Don't go," Mary said, as the other rose from her seat and picked up her work basket. She felt that she would have liked to talk to her old nurse about her married life, to read deep CT into her poor little story than the bare outlines she had just heard. But Tanta had decided opinion on the matter of her duty. As Ferman en- tered she moved to depart, while Ma ry deliberately turned away to the window. She had no particular in- terest in the Kaffir and his dog; she had no great desire to stare out into the blazing light of. Africa's noon. nor to gaze upon that vast wave of land that mounted up on the far side of the river to the horizon beyond. It was all so bald, so uncouth, so much like her life. Scorched, arid, it was scene of colosrless grass and dis heartening, hopeless neutraltinted bush.
 She welcomed her husbands com ing, yet she dreaded it. Ever since the beginning of her convalescence she had dreaded his visits without quite knowing why. Deep down in her heart there was the conviction that she had estranged his regard. Six months ago she would not have minded that; she did not admit thu, she minded it now. Only somehow she dreaded what he might say. His quiet words could hurt so; and he had such an uncompromising way. The recollection of the scene when she was taken ill, when, in her weak ness, she had told him about Guy, was always with her; and the mem ,f cT, in h ar mind. She would never forget the way he told her he did not blame her.
 Since her recovery his manner had changed towards her. The steady kindliness was still there; that had not changed. No, it was not that But he avoided her coming only to see her when it was obviously his duty. Did he hate her? She felt he must-and yet she had done him no wrong. It was all very hard. She told herself for the hundredth time she did not love him. But she did not want him to hate her. She would not have one of the Kaffirs hate her if she could help it.
 Just for @ moment, as she reached the door, the houseke--,er paused and looked back. She knew there was an arrangement between husband and wife; knew there had always been something wrong. They were never quite like the married folk she knew. and the matter was a source of master and his young wife she want ed things to come straight. Some thing was wrong. What was it? As the door closed behind her FL wood crossed over to the window with cheerful greeting and knocked his pipe out on the sill.
 How are you, Marry" he asked kindly. Better, thanks. Won't you smoke I don't mind it bit"
 'Not here. Boer tobacco smells so foul. You must get all the good air you can.'
 He sat down, and an awkward si- ! 1ence followed. Presently Mary fore ed herself to speak, and the coldness of her voice and expression hurt him like a blow on an open wound. Each moment he spent with her every word she spoke to him, even ! the manner in which she turned away to look in another direction when he was present, told him, only too plainly, that she was lost to him for ever. His compact with Guy had l been a forlorn hope, the last impo. tent struggle of beaten man wht knows not the meaning of defeat. He ! did not trick himself into any foolish
 belief. Mary loved Guy, but unti the last effort had been exhausted hs
 could not give her up.
 Something of this was in hi! thoughts now as he covertly watchet
 the play of the sunlight on her thiI
 pale face.
 Have you seen Emily to-day
 she asked presently, as the prolong
 ed silence grew irksome.
 For a moment. I've been so bus.
 in the location. Montsoit is all fol
 preparing to fight the freebooters
 vrhair raids are drawing nearer to HIS