The Holly chieftain., 1916-11-24
BY I. A. r. wYLIE
al dshs rsssvsA n DebAs-Msnil Ca


the threshold, smiling at them both,
with the delighted consciousness Of
having successfully performed the part
of an agreeable surprise packet Her
appearance undoubtedly heightened the
desired effect. She wore q white
dress and white toQue. Moreover.
she was profusely powdered. and
looked. II possible. younger and more
daringly self-assured than ever. For
minute. during which she hesitated.
her bright eyes rested rather earnestly
on Gabrielle Smith. who. bowling for
mally. went out into the courtyard
with grim amusement written ON her
small. sunburnt face. Whereupon
Mrs. Farquhar advanced and kissed
Sylvia on both cheeks.
MY dear Sylvia-my dear little syl-
via-now am sure am the last per-
son on earth you expected-an old
woman travelling in savage country
full Of foreigners! It's almost indie
cent. isn't it?'
Sylvia smiled faintly. like someone
awakened from stupor.
"Oh, don't know. Won't you sit
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
leave?"
"You see. l 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 ,lnsta nee.
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,
anectlonate eyes. "And SO you are
sometimes lonely? II 1t were not for
Captain Arnaud 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. l can imagine that" Mrs. Far
quhar agreed seriously. II had hoped
to find Captain Arnaud here. was
SO charmed with him. you know. and
wished Richard and he had been more
friendly. Poor RichardT Sylvia's
hand frightened on the carved arm of
her chair. She made movement as
though on the edge of an impulsive
speech. then drew back. white Tipped
and silent. Mrs. Farquhar bent for
ward and patted her on the knee. II
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 a 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 did
not touch 1t. She rang the little ori-
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. ~
think a little sal volatile is all that
is needed. leave her. | 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.
~ have to thank you for your let.
ter" she said.
There isn't any need for thanks |
hesitnted for twenty-four awful hours
But felt had to do something. Once
! I had seen your name aud address ON