The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1916-07-13

DOWN. / certainly didn't expect any
English person in this dreadful place.
II one can live In England She
broke OF suddenly. what made you
leaveT
You see, have been rather lonely.
Since Richard left"
"Ah. yes. OF course" Sylvia sat
down with her back to the sunlight.
her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
You must miss him very much"
"Oh, terribly. But that's our fate
to have to get on without people we
have suffered for. You, for instance.
I'm sure sometimes you feel sad--a
little homesick--"
Often" Sylvia looked up eagerly.
I'VE are alike, rather. We under
stand each other" Mrs Farquhar was
silent moment, considering the white
faced woman opposite her with bright.
affectionate eyes. And SO you are
sometimes lonely? II 1t were not for
Captain Arnaud I should pity you. syl-
VIA"
''Yes, of course, II it were not for
Desire" She stopped, as though
seeking for words, and slowly, beneath
the persistent gaze OF the blue eyes,
the last trace Of color died from her
cheeks. The hand that passed Mrs.
Farquhar's cup across the table shook.
II am sorry-but the life out here
makes one so nervy and jerky."
Yes. can imagine that" Mrs. Far
Quhar agreed seriously. II had hoped
to find Captain Arnaud here. ! was
80 charmed with him, you know, and
wished Richard and he had been more
| friendly. Poor Richardr' Sylvia's
hand frightened on the carved arm Of
her chair. She made movement as
though on the edge OF an impuIsive
speech. then drew back, white Tipped
and silent. Mrs. Farquhar bent for
ward and patted her on the knee. 81
didn't mean to hurt you. know how
| delicate and sensitive you are, child.
| But you must never worry about Rich
| ard. He writes me such wonderful
| letters, and in each one of them he
talks about you, how good you are,
| how much nobler and better you are
than other women. Really-it is quite
touching" She stopped short. syl-
| via Arnaud had risen to her feet. She
stood prfectly upright for moment,
staring in front of her with blank eyes.
and then suddenly she lifted her hands
to her head.
Its the heat-the awful sun
shine"
She collapsed, senseless, at Mrs. Far
quhar's feet.
Mrs. Farquhar got up. She looked
down at the motionless figure but d..
not touch 1t. She rang the little ORR
entail bell lying in the midst of the
English silver.
"Your mistress has tainted" she
said coolly to the panic-stricken serv-
ant who answered the summons. 81
think little sal volatile is all that
Is needed. l leave her. I am sure, In
good hands," She smiled graciously
and went out into the sunny court
yard. Gabrielle Smith, who stood by
the fountain, trimming the luxuriant
FERNS turned as she heard the light,
quick tap of Mrs. Farquhar's French
heels. Mrs. Farquhar held out her
hand.
II have to thank you for your let
ter" she said.
There isn't any need for thanks.
hesitated for twenty-four awful hours
But felt had to do something. Once
had seen your name and address on
that envelope l dared not keep 81.
lence."
81 shall never be able to repay my
debt l hurried here as fast as ex-
press trains and wretched French
packet boats could carry me. want
ed to reach Sidl-bel-Abbes before you
left. You have given up your situa-
tion?"
YES"
"will you come to mer'
Gabrielle Smith did not answer for
a moment Her eyes rested stesdfast-
ly. significantly. on the faded. pow
dered face.
II think-better not. Mrs. Farquhar
You know nothing about me-not even
whether l am respectable"
you are the woman who hns given
me the hope that may see my son
again before l die. That is all care
about! ! am an old woman, Miss
Smith. and what lies before me Is al
most beyond my powers. l need you
my son needs you. VIII you think OF
thatY
YES" Gabrielle answered simply
Then rely upon you. Here is
my card. Come to see me as soon
as you can. We must act at once. VIII
you accompany me to my carriageT
AS Gabrielle helped her silently into
the waiting victoria Mrs. Farquhai
turned for moment to glance behind
her. Her face. which had suddenly
grown old and lined with grief, lit uI