The Holly chieftain., 1916-08-25

oAuC anu StOOO LueIS Win ulD O4CR
turned. his head bent. He did not no.
tice Farquhar. who looked up ~
though raised from his deliberate leth-
argy BY some painful sound. The
boys round. Uniformed face was wet
"Huilo-Preston!''
He started violently.
"Oh. you. Farquhar-l didn't know
look at me-I'm q fool-but I'm cleaned
out Two hundred pounds at . sit
ting-all my allowance" He broke
Oh.
Farquhar shifted his position 30 that
he faced the card-table. His eyes
were dangerous.
II say. this il damned gambling
hell" he said clearly.
did you speak. FarquharT' Sewer
asked quietly.
FarQuhar did not move.
Yes. said this was q damned
gambling hell. may add that you are
damned scoundrel. Ask your friend
there to return his l. o. us on the
spot or promise you we two shall be
explaining matters at headquarters to-
morrow morning. You know what
that means, l fancy"
There was no answer for a minute.
All FIVE men looked instinctively at
Sewer. waiting for his next move. The
cloud Of the gaming passion had lift
ed. leaving rank. bitter-tasting real
ity. Sewer recovered bis calm good
nature with unaffected ease.
"FarQuhar. you are undoubtedly
the worse for my brandy" he observed.
Lowe. l should be glad II you would
return Mr.. Preston's note Of hand. 1
shall settle with you myself for your
to apologize not now. at least when
he is sufficiently recovered"
Richard Farquhar rose leisurely to
his feet. There was no trace Of m
steadiness in his steps as he crossed
the room, but 1t was obvious that
,Sower had not overstated his condi-
ton.
81 do not suppose that even when
have recovered shall see things diff
ferently." he said. turning his white.
ironically smiling face for moment to
the motionless group. "Come along.
Preston
Farquhar had not far to go. by
street bringing him to quiet, UMPIRE
tentious house which his instinct rec
ognixed. Inside all was inky obscur-
ity. He stumbled against the drst
step Of the stairs. touched some
thing that was warm and living. and
fs.k -, ~ o~ fnc
treacherous overhanging shelf.
81 beg somebody's pardon" quiet
voice said through the subsequent 81
lence. "I'm afraid I've killed some
body"
Then the light was switched on.
Farquhar saw before him a small
person, dowdily dressed. with small
thin face under 4 small hat. He took
his hand from. his head and consid-
cred 1t.
mo very serious damages, l fear.
Give me an arm up to my room. will
you?"
She obeyed instantly and with some
adroitness
Its that ridiculous hatrack," she
said. ut blocks up the whole hall
have often spoken to Mrs. Ferrier
about it,
You" He stopped short, with
drawing his arm and leaning against
the banisters. 81 thought-reaIly
must be far gone-I thought you were
Mrs. Ferrier."
= "Oh, no; rather wish was. I'm
the fourth floor back"
"Well, don't know who the fourth
floor back is exactly, but l know I
have taken an unwarrantable lib
erty-"
Don't. You are not in condition
to offer resistance. This your room.
isn't it?' She pushed open door on
the first floor and turned on the light
He looked at her in weary, half-amused
perplexity.
81 can't allow this sort Of thing. It's
not right that young lady"
"I'm not lady-at least not BY cir
cumstance. Anyhow, l don't care. You
are Ill. Sit down."
He obeyed. tossing his coat and hat
onto the nearest chair, and sat list
lessly with his head in his hands.
From long way on he heard her soft,
rapid movements. They were curl
ously soothing, and presently he looked
up again. urged by an idle wonder.
But apparently she had forgotten his
existence Hatless, with sleeves rolled
up to her elbows, she knelt before the
fire. engaged in a quiet but determined