The Pulaskian., 1916-06-09
kerehief had flown to her lips in an

He strode across the room to her side. He seized her hands and kissed them in stormy outbreak of passion which seemed terrify her. She shrank from him, yainly trying to free himself.
 "0h, Richard-don't-you must be more careful-we are not alone-there are people,
 He laughed up at her. His eyes were lessness, never wholly absent, blazed up in defiance of her white timidity.
 T know there are people hundreds of them-somewhere down in that dull old world which we've left miles be- meath. Yes, dare say, I am a little mad. I feel it--rm glad of it. It's good to be mad like this" Suddenly her expression penetrated his intoxica- tion. He stopped short. Sylvia you're not ill?. he said roughly.
 She shook her head, half smiling, half fearful.
 You may not care what people think, but I do-all nice women do. We are not properly engaged. You forget that.''
 He nodded, his eyes fixed on her half-averted face.
 Perhaps you are right-women are different. In their love and in their religion they seek the outward, visible signs. have brought the visible signs with me-" He put his hand to his pocket and drew out a small case, which he opened and placed on the table before her. "That is my first gift" he said simply. As though drawn against her will, she turned. Her eyes rested on the ring in it's cold, gray setting, and their pupils dilated with an amazed involuntary displee sure. It was single, fawless emerald, square cut and set in a narrow band of sap phire.
 Farquhar took it from it's case and held it out to her.
 You don't understand. It can't be just now. It's as though we were re joicing in the midst of terrible grief. Surely you have heard?"
 q know that your brother has not been found," he answered earnestly. "I know that he was-is very dear to you. Why should that come between us now?"
 Because" She made a little, feeble gesture of despair, and then went on breathlessly. "It's not for myself, Richard. There is my father to be considered Roberts loss has broken his heart. He is ill-you must have seen that-I can't tell him that am going to leave him"
 I don't ask 1t of you. I shall be patient I shall wait a year-two years, but you can't keep me on the outside of your life while I wait. You belong to me-you gave yourself to me. don't claim more than you gave -I wouldn't claim that much if I saw it was not for your happiness and now hold you above my life, my honor-'
 "Oh. hushi hush!'' She looked at him with terrified, beseeching eyes. Please don't say that-I don't want to hear it, Richard It sounds so-wild and mad, and your eyes frighten me. Be reasonable and gentle-dear."
 The hard lines of violence smoothed themselves from his face as if by miracle. With an almost feminine ten derness he took her icy hand between his own and chafed it."
 Forgive mel think I have devi in me, Sylvia, little black fiend that drives newell, to the very devil, in fact.' He stopped, his eyes narrow ing as though at some vision which he could not fully face. eff lost you Sylvia, what is the matter?" He looked at her more intently, and then, with a sudden flash of perception. Something has happened-out there in Algiers What?"
 She did not answer. She was not even looking at him. Following her glance, he turned slowly on his heel. A man who had stood hesitating on the threshold now came toward them, his hand extended
 Forgive me, Miss Omney. I inter rupted, but I understood that should find you here, and could not wait You see, am punctual to the hour and to the day"
 He spoke in English, with a faint accent that was not displeasing. Rich ard Farquhar drew back. The vehe mence had vanished from his manner leaving him curiously at ease. Sylvia Omney glanced at him, swiftly, with an almost childish appeal and fear.
 Richard, this is Captain Arnaud We met out in Algiers. Captain Ar naud--this is MT. Farquhar.'
 Both men bowed The Frenchman smiled with cordial recognition.
 q have heard your name often, Mir. Farquhar. You are what is called an old playfellow, are you not-a privi. legged position?"
 For an instant Farquhar waited, his eyes fixed on the girls white face. She did not look at him or speak.
 Indeed, most privileged"