The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-13
(Continued.)

decided the Kaffir more quickly than
any effort of his own could have done.
He produced a carefully folded note
from the inner recesses of his blan-
ket and handed 1t over.
The other took the missive and
turned it over and over in his hand.
staring at it with eyes suddenly dark
ened with intense feeling. The Ka-
Eir watching him had no proper un-
Outstanding. All he was thinking
Of was his own safety. He believed
this big white man had the power of
life and death where he and his peo-
pie Were concerned. Should he es-
rapce OF that other he thought
little He would go back and tell
him that he had given the briefje in
to the white vrouw's hands and de-
mand his reward. 1t was quite SIM
DE. Then he would take himself
Off before the truth could be discov-
cred. But this man was different He
felt that he could reach him with dire
punishment at any time, and where
soever he might be.
But his fears were put at rest when
he saw the arbiter. of his fate draw
q shilling from his pocket. Just for
q moment Elwood hesitated and look
ed at it thoughtfully, while the KAT
FRS eyes slistened. Then he dropped
the coin at his feet and walked off
an the direction of the house without
G word, leaving behind him not a
grateful heart, for the Kaffir knows
no gratitude. but q creature with
fresh and wonderfully picturesque
tale to tell to his people of "baas"
Elwood.
Tanta Shepherd swung round from
her pastry board. She was startled
ib,@ the unusual sharpness of Elwood's
voice
us Mary back YETI" ne demanded.
thrusting his head in at the kitchen
doorway.
No, master"
He was gone before the old woman
had completely focused him through
her glasses. The fieeting glimpse she
fcaught of him gave her no enlight-
fenment, and in response to her fe-
i1nfnine curiosity she shuffled to the
ldoor and watched him striding over
ito his two wagons. They were stand
ing side by side in the centre of what
might have been called the farmyard,
except that it was only bounded by
the scattered outbuildings.
She saw him mount one of the
vehicles and begin to remove a large
bed-kaartel from its fastenings. Then
she turned to her work with an
ominous shake of her head.
He continued steadily at his work
until the clatter of horses hoofs told
him that Mary had returned. Glanc-
ing up he watched her dismount at
the stable-door and hand her horse
over to Saturday; but he did not at
ton. His keen eyes noted her every
movement with something of hun
CRY expression in their depths, that
was all. Nor did she once look in
his direction Her manner was pre-
occupied, and she hurried off at once
towards the house.
A moment later he laid his span
ners aside and climbed down from
the wagon. And he. too, made his
way to the house.
EIwood was standing at the open
window of the sitting-room with his
back turned to the door when ne
heard Mary coming down the passage
from her bedroom. She had been to
change her habit, and when she en-
tered the room she was clad in a
simple black skirt and white blouse.
Beyond general impression of her
dress her husband noticed nothing
but the extreme pallor of her face
and the intense brilliancy of her eyes.
She looked i'll; but there was more
than illness in the nervous restless
ness of her manner. She came in
swiftly and without speaking. and sat
down in an armchair in way that
twas very nearly collapse.
He moved round and propped him
self on the corner of the table facing
her.
How is the head?" he inquired
gently.
Its nothing" Mary YEARLY pass
ed hand across her forehead in
fat contradiction of her statement.
TITS too silly for anything; SO rare
liz have a headache. But-you came
10 say something to me?" she went
on a little eagerly. II saw you at
work when / came in
Just for 4 moment a vague hope
possessed her that perhaps he had
changed his mind. and she was to
accompany him on his journey. Oh.
now she hoped that it might be So.
Her thoughts went back to her ride,
end she shivered perceptibly.
Elwood noted the weary gesture as
she pressed her hand to her fore
head Just as he observed the sudden
Frightening as she put her question.
Yes" he said. Il have been down
10 the Verrickers'."
And Mary realized at once that her
hopes were not to be fulfilled. Per-