The Parma herald., 1916-08-17
CHAPTER XXI.


Atonennsnt.
! Mrs. Farquhar, do you hear me-dc
you understandY
The Wide blue eyes nickered an In.
slant; 1t was her only response. She
lay stretched out, white and still on
the great bed-a pathetic figure In
which age and childhood's frsilty had
Joined In the completed circle OF life.
Her hands lay on the counterpane.
They were still loaded with rings, and
the heavy, glistening stones seemed
to have drawn In all the vitality from
the dead and helpless fingers. For
the first time her wig sat straight, and
by contrast the face beneath looked
smaller, wizened and shriveled ike d
little old witch who, somehow or
other, had retained grotesque fasci-
nation. Only the eyes were terrible.
Seve for that one scarcely perceptible
flicker OF assent they never closed or
wayered. yet the change in them was
ceaseless. They passed from face to
race with concentrated Intensity that
was savage in Its dumb Significance.
They became then pitiable in their ap-
peal or frantic in their fierce impa-
tience.
Preston, standing beside her, took
one OF the helpless hands and pressed
It shyly.
you understand. Mrs. Farquhar?
I've been something worse than
blackguard-I've been fool. But
now I'm going back to make good.
You trust me now, don't you? You
believe me-rd lay down my life to
have Richard back. You know that?
won't touch my native shore till I've
made things right"
1t was scarcely a smile that shad-
owed the blue eyes. Then suddenly
they closed. and the last sign of life
was snuffed out like the light of a
candle. Preston looked UP. Gabrf-
ellie stood at the foot of the bed and
she beckoned him, and they went out
together In the adjoining room. Pres
ton closed the door. His boys face.
contrasting curiously with the upright.
powerful figure. had lost its hopeful
ness and had become haggard and
overcast.
My God, and to think that I was
instrumental In thatr' he said hoarsely.
II feel as though had murdered
someone; It's pitiable-terrible. shall
see those eyes to my life's end, Miss
Smith,"
She nodded from the window where
she stood looking out on to the street
bathed In the mellow glow of evening.
III is awful to watch the struggle"
she said half to herself. "She is trying
to tell us something. and cannot read
the message. Her eyes are full Of it,
feel that am blind and stupid not
to understand-but l only know that
1t Is vital, that 1t may mean life or
DEATH"
"Death?" he echoed blankly.
After what you saw that pirht
don't you realize that death is not IN r
ofr?"
He thrust his hands deep into his
pockets.
II won't believe It," he said decisive
ly. They dare not"
"ls there anything that dare not be |
done to Iegionaryy"
He Is an Englishman. If-if tbex
dared | should make 1t an Interna t,ons,
question: should rouse all Eng
land"
Would you succeed In getting a let
ter INTO the Times. do you think. Nr
preston?'
lie drew his hands out OF his pockets
and swung round angrlly on her. She
was smiling wry amusement.
Miss Smith-can you afford IN
laughY' "
"Yes--a little. suppose you think
me heartless. As matter OF fact. we
laugh most easily when" She stopped
snort with gesture OF impatieuce
Forgive me, have tendency to be
Irite. and at that moment was peril.
ously near Dathos as we'll"
Il know what you mean. thoucb
1idn't think you heartless. Rut vo,
ant feel as do. You haven't all this
IN your conscience-you weren't bn
riend. as was" He caught glImpse
" her race clean cut against the iight.
IND suddenly he faltered and the slow
'olor mounted to his eyes.
IL understand. You're rafhar
plendid. Miss Smith. II could onIv
ct things right-make goodr" be NUT.
cred.
She made little gesture of assent.
That seems to me all that we live .
or" she said thoughtfulIy. ito make ,
'ood-either to others or to ourselves.
)nly-it isn't often granted u.s." n
He had the feeling that she was not
peaklng to him. that for the moment q
q had passed out of her range of
ision, and he remained silent. some
ne tapped at the door. and Instantly ,
heir eyes met In mutual Interrogation
"A gentleman to see you. mademoi-
elle"
She passed into the little adjoining
itdng room and closed the door ouIet, :
7 behind her. So quiet indeed had :,
een her entry that the man huncbed :,
posther by the window did not annesr =