The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-03
CHAPTER xx.
Fate Decides.

Fate Decides.
 Destiny had decreed that Desire Ar maud should die. He was in his room now dying quietly and unostentatious- ly, from the brain downward" as the doctor had explained to Madame Ar maud with extreme gentleness, and had been deeply moved by the manner of It's reception. She had not cried or Tainted. She had looked at him with her warm brown eyes, and had given him her hand with a quiet dignity.
 "It is the will of God, doctor'
 He had admired her immensely, and she had admired herself ''The will of God" It was beautiful and simple, and it was wonderful to find that in spite of modern skepticism all things work out for the best for those who surrender themselves to the unseen guidance.
 And now this woman was here-this woman in the pale gray dress, with the brown hair and small dead-white face, out of which the eyes burned with a fierce consuming energy and purpose.
 Mrs. Farquhar lies stricken with total paralysis" Gabrielle Smith said. 'She cannot speak to me, but can read her eyes. She is asking for her son. Madame Arnaud, you have infu ence with Colonel Destinn. You can set Richard Farquhar free. You can atone"
 'Atoner' It seemed incredible, ridiculous It was tactless. Above all, 1t brought storm into her peace. Yet she remained gentle-very calm.
 "You ask me to intervene at strange moment for a strange cause, Miss Smith," she said My husband is dying"
 And the man who saved him?"
 Sylvia glanced toward the curtained doorway and laid her finger gently to her lips.
 Flush, you must not talk so loud. My husband is sleeping. And then I am sorry-I can do nothing. Should I be justified in trying? Your-feeling blinds you, Miss Smith. cannot. even for the memory of girlhood's friend ship, take up arms-risk perhaps hu- initiation and misunderstanding for a man who sold his country for a woman"
 "Mr. Preston is in Sidi-bel-Abbes," was the answer. MT. Preston knows that Richard chose the appearance of dishonor to save your husband-your happiness, Madame Arnaud."
 Sylvia rcco.led the step she had taken. Her hands were pressed to her face.
 'Tf that were true" But she did not ask question. She knew that 1t was true. It was pitiable-terrible- beautiful. Her whole soul seemed to expand beneath its beauty. There had been no "other woman" in his life only the one-Sylvia Arnaud, for whom he had sacrificed his honor, his name, his place. And now 1t was for her to act and to use her power nobly--to re- gain the ground lost on tn fatal eve ning--to win back the holy place in his life Suddenly she held out her hands.
 Gabrielle, forgive mer' she said gently, and there were tears gathering on her long lashes. "T must have seemed hard-wicked I did not un- derstand. I had not your love-or the faith that love gives. I saw only dis honor-and sometimes we who stand outside the stress of life judge very harshly."
 But you knew him." was the stern reproach-
 q was child, Gabrielle. Can't you understand? Win you, too. judge harshly?'
 The clear eyes darkened. Gabrielle Smith did not take the extended hands. Her own were clasped before her.
 q have come to plead with you, Madame Arnaud-not to judge
 And if promise you-if tell you that will do all that lies in my power"
 sThen my errand is accomplished"
 Sylvia's hands dropped. It struck her that this woman had a mean soul, coarsened with rough contact with the world She could not rise to the high attitudes of forgiveness and reconcili- ation. She could only grasp the ma terial things of life, Sylvia caught glance of her own reflection iM the glass opposite, and she saw how ethe- real her own beauty had become. After all. beauty Is the outward and visible sign. Suddenly her name was called roughly yet piteously--and her eyes sank
 That's my husband" she said gravely. Even in bis delirium he is always calling for me. The dying are sacred, are they not? We must for give them as we forgive the dead"
 ''Yes." Gabrielle assented.
 T must go to him. But will do | what I have promised. I--I will atone | for him Perhaps 1t may soothe him comfort him to think that the wrong l he has done has been righted--don't l