The Mena weekly star., 1916-04-20

lney stared al hlul- lie was SIlli weighing the papers and smiling rather wryly. He was thinking of Sylvia at that moment. and Preston's stricken cry of horror sounded dull and far off.
 You! What do you mean, Far quhar? I won't believe 1t. It's intol- erable-impossible Say you didn't didn't sell them, Farquharr'
 Captain Arnaud will explain" was Re answer.
 Arnaud rose slowly to his feet. Ho was staring across the table into Far quhar's face, stupidly, incredulcusly, and when he spoke it was In the mono tone of man under hypnotic com mand.
 "They were offered me-" he said. "Lieutenant Farquhar offered them to me. I disliked it; but 1 am a good Frenchman, and the temptation was too great. I bought them. can only add--that I regret" He stammered and broke off with real helplessness. Farquhar turned from him to Sower. The latter's features had assumed a mask of ironical acceptance.
 "In that case there Is no more to be said" he observed coolly. We can now credit MT. Farquhar's statement"
 Farquhar bowed.
 Thank you" he said simply. Preston crossed the room and flung open the door with cool deliberation. "Good-by, Farquhar hope you have decency enough left to know what to | do."
 For short space which seemed an eternity Farquhar hesitated. The | scorn and bitterness in the boys eyes had stung him. An hour ago he had been half hero, and now was 10th ing, beneath even contempt. Then be too. bowed.
 q resigned my commission thla morning"
 God be thanked for that"
 He went down the narrow stairs into the street Someone touched him on the arm He turned and saw Arnaud "a new Arnaud. grown calm. almost indifferent. He was smoking. and the faint reflection from his cigar lighted up the white composure of his features
 T want to speak to you for mos ment," he said. q want to ask you why you did that? Farquhar made no answer and he went on deliber- ately: You are not mad. You do not love me. You have good reason to hate me"
 You are to be Miss Omney's hus- band. My feelings toward her have not changed. I considered it my business to defend you. The sacrifice was not so great as it may seem. had lost practically everything before. What remained I chose to lose in my own way"
 Tt wasn't all for myself. I was pretty desperate and not so cool when Lowe came with his second offer. You can guess what that was. Compared to betraying ones own cod try it seemed clean business. And l let you bear tue brunt How does that strike you?"
 "Panic--the instinct of self-preser, vation. I counted on it. The future will be different
 How do you meany"
 Farquhar turned round and faced him with deliberate significance.
 Tt must be- he said. As for me, I am done for Though no one will speak of what has happened. the fact remains. Miss .0mney believes in you and so do Ito some extent I am sufficiently in sympathy with you to credit the sincerity of your feelings. Am I justlfed?"
 Arnaud met his eyes full
 You are'
 Well, that is what believe. I hold you in pawn, Captain Armand, for your wife's happiness If you fail her, if you risk her faith in you second time, 1 shall not hesitate to act"
 He lifted his hat tremendously and passed along the narrow street to the great thoroughfare beyond.