Evening star., 1914-07-26

half past nne going to bed. l told him,
whatever my feelings mig ght be, and whatever Mr. Con-
way might be a man, I'd shoot myself sooner than
touch one whom Lady Annra loved. He seemed dis
appointed and said if l wouldn't do anything he'd
further for those two would be married, and
that the end. AS for him, he'd go back to his
lodgings, get good Sleep and start off the first thing
in the morning to catch the boat at Portree. He
done with the lot of us!'
what them? asked the girl thinking of the jewels.
3That is what came here to tell you," Conal said.
u thought you ought to know; for you had asked
to get Emmons out of the castle, and told you be-
ieved he might be thief and forger. couldn't speak
to anyone else But listen. Lady Daura! hear foot
steps Someone will be coming They haven't all gone
to bed yet. Will you let me tell you the rest ater?'
HYes-that will be the best thing" She caught up
his suggestion eagerly II have to speak with cousin.
Il don't want to see him. Can wait here, and have
another word with you when you've finished?"
yes I'll not say anything about you. I'll come
back, the girl whispered.
Conal stepped back into the shadows and she walked
quickly toward the doorway the direction of the Red
room, where Alastair had now appeared
Il began tc think you had forgotten me-" he said.
II waited fifteen minutes, and then"
II know. Father kept me, she hastily explained.
"Let not talk here, she went knowing that Conal
within earshot. aWell go back to the Red room;
but only for minute It's very late now
"Only for minute That's all l ask said Alastair,
keeping up with her she hurried along the corridor
CHAPTER xxx
A CLOCK somewhere in the house struck the quarter
past three. In ten minutes less Troy would
come to the Red room.
"If Father would have let me drive back with you
from Portree, could have spared you this suspense
Dear" Daura said Il have felt so sad about you-so
guilty! Try not to be unhappy, or shall be mserable
but be nothing to each other except friends and
cousins. 1 shall have to marry somebody else
Don't blame any than you help. If I've
behaved badly to you it hasn't been because have
wanted to be cruel. Do believe that, won't you?"
Darling, can't give you up!" cried Alastair, and
tried to take her in his arms; but she put him away
"You mean Troy know, when you talk of somebody
else Your father must be mad to force you into
marrying outsider like that!'
3He isn't forcing me" said Daura @I'm doing it of
my own free will. Oh, 1 can't explain any more! But
it must be- and you must never think of me again"
@You can't make me believe you've fallen head over
in love with stranger rough chap like that who's
spent his life mining towns and Heaven knows where!"
MacRimmon insisted you've known him only a few
days. No, there's mystery of some SORT You're
rifcing yoursef-your fathers fallen into debt
thing, and this fellows helping him with his beasty
miions-got the Lord knows howl"
3No, mol It's not that" Daura assured him. mo
body is urging to sacrifice myself. You have
right to say these things. I've given you the only
1 can and if I've hurt you I'm sorry with all my
heart. But now you must go. We are only making
each other miserable. Nothing can be changed Please
please leave me, dear Aastair! If you don't, l shall
break down. 1 have been enduring good deal these
last few days, and I've the point when can't
bear much more
4I go, if you feel like that about it, said MacRim-
almost su1enly. 3But it isn't the end by any
means!'
at is the end Goodnight, dear cousin Whatever
haDDenS to I shall never FORGET the haDDy hours