The Detroit times., 1913-11-11
CHAPTER Xxx.


boed By minutes but suRocatingly
ong. She had grown % pale % he.
That Was ungenerous Of you." she
aid then with Icy slowness. Though
90 doubt you-found It entertaining
tt must have still further amused
rou to be taken for IN architectr'
7 am hattered," he replied. with
trace Of bitterness. Ito have sug
Ieeted, even for . moment, 90 worthy
calling"
Though he spoke calmly enough
I'D thoughts were In ragged cOnfu'
hon. AZ her gaze dived into his, he
vas conscious Of outre fancies. She
eemed to him like some snow-cloud
n woman's shape. edged with anger
md swept BY . wrathful wind into
his summary afternoon. For her
part she was telling herself with pxs'
jonate resentment that he had no
light 20 to misrepresent himself
b lead her on to such denouement.
At his answer she put out her hand
nth = sudden gesture. - II bluntly
hrusting the matter from her con-
ern, and turning. went back along
he tree-shadowed path.
He followed glumly. gnawing his
(p, wanting to say he knew not what,
mt wretchedly tongue-tied. noting
hat the great white moth was still
having it, creamy wings on the dead
hump and wondering II she would
IKE the cape jessamines. He felt IN
embarrassed relief when. passing the
pots where they lay, she stopped 10
Mise them.
Then all at once the blood seemed
b shrink from his heart. With q
oarse cW he leaped toward her.
sized her wrist and roughly dragged
Or back. feeling - he did 90, sharp
cry sting ON his instep. The next
homent, with clenched teeth, he was
lciously stamping his heel again and
nAin, driving into the soft earth .
Visiting root.like something that
Tapped the brown wintered leaves
hto . kissing turmoil.
He had flung her from him with
ach violence that she had fallen
dewise. Now she raised herself,
neeling In the feathery light, both
ands clasped close to her breast,
-embling excessively with loathing
Id feeling the dun earth-noor billow
he = canvas sea In . theater. Little
ms Of dust from the protesting
round were wreathing about her set
Ice. and she pressed one hand
Eainst her shoulder to repress her
hivers.
sThs horrible - horrible-thing!"
10 said whisperingly. 1T would
I've bitten mel"
He came toward her, painting, and
Fasping her hand, lifted her to her
Ut. He staggered slightly ~ he
Ia 70, and she saw his lips twist to-
bthor oddly. "Ah," she gasped, 1T
b you! It BIT you!"
NO" he said. II think not"
"Look! There on your ankle-that
bot!"
II did feel something. just that frst
oment." He laughed uncertainty.
fs queer. Ny foots gone last
Sleep"
Every remnant Of color left her
Ice. She hadSknown . Negro child
ho had died Of q watermoccasin's
he some years before-the child Of .
buse-servant. It had been wading
the creek In the gorge. The doc
n had said then that II one Of the
Their children. -.
She grasped his arm. "Sit down"
be commanded, here, on this log.
Id see."
Her pale fright caught him. He
beyed, dragged on the low shoe and
Ired the tingling spot. The 'Arm
hite flesh was pufling up around two
S~as,> vSssvrtneoo He
|ached into his pocket. then remem-
bred that he had no knife. AZ . next
bit thing he knotted his handker-
lief quickly above the ankle, thrust
stick through the loop and twisted
till the ligature cut deeply, while
10 knelt beside him, her lips NOV
h soundlessly. saying over and over
herself words like these: II must
bt be frightened! He doesn't real
q the danger, but do! must be
hite collected. II 10 mile to the
bctor's. might run to the house
kd send Unc' Jefferson. but It would
lie too long. Besides, the doctor
lght not be there. There 10 no one
do anything but me-"
she crouched beside him, putting
81 suouub W NE Va sA0 ossSA eu~
ronching Il over with all her
rength. Tighter. tighter" she said.
& must be tighter" But, to her dis
nv. 1t the last turn the improvised
brd snapped. and the released stick
bw q dozen feet away.
Her heart leaped chokingly. then
|opped into hammer-like thudding.
3 leaned back on one arm, trying
laugh, but she noted that his breath
Sme shortly a. II he had been rum
|ng. "Absurd!'h he said frowning.
How such-a fool thing--can hurt"
Suddenly she threw herself on the
ound and grasped his foot with
bth her hands. He could SEQ her
Ice witch with shuddering. and her
re- dilsting with some determined
hrpose.
"what are you going to dor"
''This," she said. and no folt hor
drinking lips, warm and trcmulous,
essed hard against his instop.
He drew away sharply, with saw
b denial Mono! Not that! You
amt! Ny L0rd-you shan't!" He
jagged his numbing foot from hor
Isporate grasp. lifting himself. push
: her from him; but she fought with
p. clinging. painting broken SEN
~You must! IT'S the only way. II
as-a moccasin and IT'S deadly.
very minute counts!"
Il won't. No. stopi How do you
how? IT'S not going t6Ahere, lis
~ Take your hands away. Listen!